SPCA’s resident goose dies after attack
A cruel case of animal abuse has led to one of Nelson SPCA’s much-loved pets being put down.
A Canada goose named Lucy Goosey had been part of the SPCA family, living on its farm. But after wandering off, she was later found with a bamboo stake through her chest and was unable to be saved.
SPCA manager Donna Walzl said Lucy had come to the SPCA as a gosling about five years ago and had been raised by one of the staff.
‘‘Everybody was really attached to her, so it’s quite sad.’’
Lucy was a homebody, only leaving the SPCA grounds once before ‘‘that we know about’’, Walzl said.
This time, staff noticed that Lucy wasn’t around, but it wasn’t uncommon for her to hide herself away at this time of year to sit on her eggs, Walzl said. ‘‘We hadn’t seen her, and then when we got a call to say that there was [a goose] found, we thought that was really strange.’’
A staff member picked up the injured bird and took her straight to a veterinarian.
‘‘The vet is adamant it couldn’t have been an accident, because the stake that was through her was on the wrong angle. She couldn’t have flown into it – they think somebody stabbed her.’’
Lucy Goosey had to be put down due to her injuries.
‘‘Somebody could have seen her as aggressive or something if she got a fright,’’ Walzl said. ‘‘Geese do spit and hiss, but she wouldn’t have been that afraid, as she was so used to people because she was raised by people.’’
During her time at the SPCA, Lucy was taught the basics of flying by a staff member.
The SPCA is typically a place where animals are kept temporarily before being rehomed, but Walzl said some found their own niche.
‘‘We see animals come and go – it’s really lovely with the odd one we keep and can hang out here.’’
While Lucy’s death will be felt, the SPCA has some new arrivals. Five border collie cross puppies were picked up by mountainbikers on the Wai-iti loop.
Walzl said the month-old-pups were ‘‘delightful’’ but much too young to be away from their mother.
‘‘It’s really awful that somebody’s gone and dumped them up there, because ultimately they would’ve died.’’
One of the bikers took in the puppies, worming them and rehoming one before taking them in a week later.
Meanwhile, the SPCA’s Walk to the Moon fundraising event is fast approaching. Dog owners are encouraged to register and walk their four-legged friends with a pedometer during November. The aim is for the country to collectively walk 385,500 kilometres.
‘‘Everybody was really attached to her.’’ Donna Walzl, Nelson SPCA manager