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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th January 2012
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Goose survives crossbow attack
Delicate operation required to remove bolt.

A Canada goose in Bilston has been saved by timely and skilful veterinary intervention after it was shot with a crossbow. The 15-inch crossbow bolt went right through the bird's body and out the other side, necessitating a delicate operation to remove the bolt and repair the damage. The goose is currently recovering at the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and is receiving specialist care.

The goose was spotted and rescued on Saturday 7thJanuary 2012 by RSPCA Inspector Jackie Hickman, who rushed the bird to a local vet for medical attention. The vet was able to operate to remove the bolt, and the goose defied expectations to survive through the night. It was then transferred to Stapeley Grange, where conditions are more conducive to recovery and staff are trained in the care of geese.

The bolt has been handed over to the police and an investigation has been launched to discover who fired it. The use of a bow or crossbow on wild birds or any other animals is a criminal offence under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 and is punishable by a prison sentence and/or a fine of ￡5,000 per bird.

Commenting, Inspector Hickman said “This was a barbaric act of cruelty on a defenceless wild bird and I believe somebody must know who is responsible.”

“I have dealt with a similar situation before where a farm animal was shot with a crossbow bolt and following DNA testing the perpetrator was identified and successfully prosecuted.”

Anyone with information is invited to get in contact with the Bilston Police on 0845 113 5000 or the National Cruelty Line on 0300 1234 999.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."