A dog with a broken leg is taken in by the RSPCA NSW after his owner failed to seek treatment;
On Tuesday 4 September 2012, the owner took his dog to a veterinary clinic in Abbotsbury after he noticed the dog had been lame for four days. The veterinarian recommended to Mr Korkes that radiographs be taken of the dog’s leg, however he opted to put the dog on pain relief and return to the vet the following day. On Friday 7 September 2012, the dog was admitted to the Abbotsbury Veterinary Hospital and an x-ray of his right hind leg revealed a fracture. The veterinarian recommended that the dog be referred to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon.
On Thursday 13 September 2012, the owner collected his dog from the hospital, was advised of the required treatment and stated that he would take the dog to another hospital for vet treatment. Follow-up with the other veterinary hospital revealed that the owner never attended with his dog. On Tuesday 25 September, RSPCA Inspectors attended the owners premises and sighted his dog, still lame and unable to place weight on his right hind leg. RSPCA Inspectors seized the dog for immediate treatment.
RSPCA veterinarians concluded that there was a failure to provide veterinary treatment for the fractured right femur for a period of fourteen days. This failure resulted in unnecessary pain and suffering.
If the fracture been addressed earlier, surgical reduction could have prevented permanent malformation. Failure to do this resulted in a permanent deformity of the leg and as a result the dog had to be humanely euthanased.
I’m sorry, what now?
The RSPCA NSW treatment plan for one broken back leg is… death?
Now I’m no vet, but I’d have guessed a splint. And if it was too late for a splint, surgery. And if surgery didn’t work, an amputation.
But the vets at the RSPCA NSW chose to offer this dog a treatment plan which primarily consisted of a large shot of Lethabarb.
This dog was killed, not by the owner who neglected him, but by those whose mission it was to protect him. And now the RSPCA NSW are giving themselves public accolades for a job well done.
The killing must end
NSW RSPCA u have explaining to do!!!!
I have been a loyal supporter & donator of the RSPCA my entire life. After reading this story my loyalty will now cease! This is a disgusting example of abusing both the system & their duty of care to ensure the dog received the best possible outcome. DEATH certainly wasn’t the correct choice. A rescue group I am involved with had a young staffy x kelpie earlier this month who also arrived with a broken leg …. Yes it too had been left too long so couldn’t be operated on. This dogs leg was amputated & he now lives a normal, happy, loving, pain free life just like he deserves. This job SHOULD have been allowed the same chance at life. Shame on the RSPCA!!!!! This story is so wrong & could have been avoided!
Hi Kelly
There are numerous rescue groups out there volunteering their time and homes to rescuing dogs and cats that would have paid for this dogs operation. If you could donate to these groups instead you would save many more dogs than donating to the mentioned group. Most animal rescue groups try to have 100% of dogs medically treated, vaccinated, desexed and micro-chipped. They have them fostered in home environments so they are socialized and then adopt them out to good homes not just anyone that comes into a shelter and you have no idea what these people are like. Hope this something you would consider. There are many groups on Face Book.
This type of thing will continue to happen as long as the RSPCA are answerable to no one..
Aahhh RSPCA you never fail to disappoint me. You’ve managed to build the RSPCA name on animal welfare and protection however it’s just a facade hidesa different story???
What about aputation?
You have to joking, nothing needs to die because of a missing limb..:/
RSPCA i will be spreading this atrocity all over the world, brace yourselves for some bad press :/
Shame on you :/
:'(
What about amputation?
You have to joking, nothing needs to die because of a missing limb..:/
RSPCA i will be spreading this atrocity all over the world, brace yourselves for some bad press :/
Shame on you :/
:'(
I am appalled at the action taken by the RSPCA, the more I read the less happy I am with this so-called animal protection and welfare organisation.
What is happening to the RSPCA ? They are supposed to be proactive for unwanted and mis treated pets yet we hear daily of totally unnecessary and unacceptable murders of those in their charge. This has to stop and these unfortunates properly looked after and cared for and caring homes sought for each and every one of them
This is so disappointing. I already had heard bad things about the RSPCA and this is one more… during that time other smaller less well known shelters struggle and do everything they can to attend to very serious conditions like heart conditions, and the RSPCA cannot even look after a leg??
I had a dog who broke his leg, it couldn’t be fixed so we had it amputated as he was perfectly healthy otherwise. He adapted extremely well to having 3 legs, he still ran around playing with the other dogs, went swimming, ran up & down stairs, he did absolutely everything as he used to with 4 legs….
Unless there was another health issue with this dog, there should have been absolutely no reason to put the poor animal down.
I have supported the RSPCA for years, attended a number of million paws walks. Not any more! Not until RSPCA can assure the public that they have animals welfare as their priority! Regardless of species or breed!!!
Not happy
You should be ashamed of yourselves
I gave up on the RSPCA a long time ago!!! People if you are reading this donate and volunteer at no kill shelters please!!! Forget the RSPCA and the profiteering business it has become. Also another warning if you come across a lost animal do not take it to your vet, ring around the reputable shelters first!!!
RSPCA = Royal Society for the Private Culling of Animals, fast becoming Lost Dogs Home’s mate…
Another poor soul that the RSPCA has destroyed. How many more are you going to kill? You already kill thousands of dogs and cats per year instead of finding them a forever home. You should change your to the RSKCA. Shame on you.
You disgust me, your lack of care disgusts me and your stinking policies disgust me. I was once your greatest supporter and fund raiser, now I hope every rescue group in the country takes your money away from you… At least they care… You are despicable
exactly why i dont donate to million paws walk or donate to RSPCA- animal welfare my butt! revolting.
Once again the RSPCA fail the animals they r there to protect… After years of having my wages garnished for donations monthly I ceased this years ago when I became aware of their failures and their multi million dollar bank accounts- $14million profit in just SA in one year! High and ridiculous kill rates, and their inability to aid and help the non-kill shelters doing the job they refuse to.. The laws need to change and they need to become accountable. Unfortunately most people are unaware like I was for so many years that the money they donate in goodwill is going to an organization that is no longer about animal welfare.
And people wonder why I detest the RSPCA. I’m positive that they have no bloody idea. Why would anyone put the animal down when it could’ve be surgically fixed. You guys are a waste of space!!!!
The RSPCA, mmm what can I say..I lost my faith in the RSPCA a long long time ago. It’s not about creatures great and small. It’s about greed, it’s about people like us who donate, leave estates, put them on our will. It’s all about the MONEY MONEY MONEY! The RSPCA are not what they once were. Other countries even African RSPCA have better carers for Animals. The ASPCA in the US is one that the best animal carers that i have ever seen.I wish we had that here. RSPCA should watch and take lessons of how you should be doing it..I hate them. I feel sorry for the animals sitting, suffering in that place..The people that work there don’t give a shit about the animals..that’s why they are so over priced too..
Yes this is a tragedy, but I dont think people realise how many animals pass through the doors of the RSPCA every day. There is absolutely no way you could save them all. And euthanasia is one of the kindest things in the world. I think that if given the choice between that Dog living with a horrible broken leg + owner that obviously docent give a shit, or being euthanized, I know what I would choose.
People need to wake up and realise that we are the problem. Don’t take on pets you can’t afford and don’t let your pets breed. Yes there are plenty of people out there doing the right thing, but there are many more that are doing the wrong things and that is what these problems stem from. If RSPCA didn’t euthanize any animals there would never be enough good homes to take on all those animals. It’s a sad reality but I would rather animals be put to sleep than left with dead beat owners that feed them supermarket crap and don’t look after them.
You’ve proposed a false dichotomy – the options available to this pet aren’t ‘be abused’ or ‘be killed’. He was already in RSPCA ‘care’. He should have been treated, just as you or I would have treated our own pet. We wouldn’t advocate that all pets with a broken leg are better off dead, so it is ludicrous to suggest that a dog with a broken leg is better off dead, simply because the RSPCA is the one caring for it.
The figures of the numbers of animals entering RSPCA pounds every day has been discussed at length on this blog. The truth of it is, the RSPCA don’t HAVE to take any more pets than they can reasonably home. They CHOOSE to aggressively tender for local pound contracts. They CHOOSE to collect multiple pound tenders and move pets to ‘super pounds’. They CHOOSE to create this false shelter ‘overpopulation’, then use it as the basis to refuse to offer pets even basic treatment. They CHOOSE to block access to death-row pets by community rescue, even though community rescue beg to be allowed to save them.
The death of this dog wasn’t euthanasia – this dog was killed. It wasn’t an act of kindness, but the ultimate act of violence. And ironically, it wasn’t committed by his ex-owner, but by the organisation encharged with protecting and caring for him.
Well said Saving Pets. Killing a dog for a broken leg is NOT justified nor is it the kindest option for any animal. To anyone who believes that do you also believe we should euthanise any child who has a severe break or disfigurement to one of their limbs?? No i didnt think so. Have some compassion and empathy Rspca..and get back to doing what you were created to do..caring for all creatures great and small. You have become a money making machine.
This poor dog was not a the type to be re homed in a hurry so was not an asset for RSPCA, they will only keep the dogs that will turn a profit for them. They will charge and fine the owner but will not spend any money to save the dog, this has got to stop and the public needs to know the truth!
This is very sad, but what makes it so sad is that the RSPCA would not have been able to rehome this dog, they stated that due to the delay in fixing the fracture the leg was permanently deformed. Yes they could amputate but then they are left with an undesirable (not my opinion, but sadly societys opinion) breed with three legs. It’s highly unlikely that the dog would be rehomed, there are so many animals in need of a home, that a terrible part of working at the RSPCA is to determine whether an animal is viable for rehoming. They simply can’t afford to keep every single animal that comes in.
Get outraged but don’t just stop there, why don’t you go in and offer to help in the RSPCA, why don’t you become a foster home? A volunteer? Anything, to help them save more animals than they do now.
Don’t judge the RSPCA until you have been in there, seen the amount of animals that come through the doors, and see the amount of space, the amount of resources and the amount of money they have to help those animals.
What you’re proposing is that shelters only work to save the cute, easily rehomed pets. If it is going to take any work to save or place the pet, then they are perfectly within their rights to use death to make the problem go away. Because there simply aren’t homes for special needs pets.
Which would be a fair assertion, if it were true…
A three legged dog is one of the easiest dogs to place. It has a point of difference. It has a ‘handicap’, but not a hard to deal with one like incontinence or a bit of a slippy anus. He
While bully breeds are the most popular dog breed in Australia suggesting that actually, contrary to what you believe, people do want and love them.
This guy could have been the poster child for what is possible. His rags to riches story inspiring the nation to adopt. He could have had his own facebook page, his own fan club. He could have been the pin-up boy for the Million Paws Walk, really capturing what the RSPCA stood for – the power of second chances. He could have had a cross to media from the local news, talking about his story and how he needed just the perfect home.
And you know what? At the end of all of that, if he hadn’t found a home, then and maybe then, he could have been reasonably killed. No one could have accused them of not trying.
But he never got that opportunity. He was killed, not because there wasn’t anything else that could be done, but because that was easier than saving him. A Lethabarb dose is easy, cheap and quick. Move on.
All the while we defend killing, pets won’t get second chances. It’s not to do with resourcing (the RSPCA NSW have plenty), its not to do with numbers (rescue groups are standing by, but are being refused pets), it lays entirely with shelter management. They accept killing and expect you to too. Even in the face of alternatives.
and what action was taken against an owner who refused to have his dog treated as recommended, two areas of fault here
This is tragic and not a unique case, however the RSPCA is simply amazing. They do the best job they can under the circumstances. Anyone who says they only want animals who they can make a profit off or that they kill animals for no reason are clearly misinformed. They have a very small amount of money and a large amount animals to care for. They don’t make profits off the animals because they de-sex them, rehabilitate them, give them any vet treatment they require, test them for any behavioural problems, feed them, advertise them, and look after them before they are re-homed. This often costs a lot more than they sell the animals for but they can’t put the prices up because otherwise people would just buy the animals from a pet shop or unlicensed breeder, making the whole problem worse. This dog would have been euthanised because it would have taken a lot of time, care and money to make it well again and in a state to be re-homed and sadly the RSPCA has a very limited amount of money so have to make tough decisions like this all the time. They could either save this one dog, or save a handful more dogs for the same cost. They aren’t in it for the money, they are simply trying to save as many animals as they can with limited funds. They do a fantastic job and if we all donate as often as we can, we can help save dogs like this one in the future.
The RSPCA NSW had revenue of $28,000,000 in 2011
They had revenue of $28,000,000 in 2012
That’s more than $50 million dollars in two years.
The RSPCA NSW surplus for last year was more than $10 million dollars. That is, after they did all the work for the year, they still had $10 million dollars in the bank. They have $30 million dollars in financial assets (money invested).
http://www.rspcansw.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/51747/RSPCA_Financials_30_June_2012.pdf
Nationally, the RSPCA take in more than $100 million dollars revenue a year.
If you consider this a ‘limited’ amount of money, then certainly killing this dog was a perfectly reasonably priced treatment plan.
Excuse me! The RSPCA have no money?? What a crock, they are rolling in it. They just chose to spend it on campaigns against easy targets and not on the care of animals such as this. The sooner there is an enquiry into them and what they really do with all the money they collect under the guise of being a charity the better!!
I am so sorry that this little one had to suffer so much. I have little empathy for the RSPCA. I have full empathy for the dog. Can the RSPCA willingly or financially step up? Where do owners who have not been able to provide appropriate care go to?. Is it regardless of care or means to do was is right? Someone initially took this dog to a vet”.Vets are not responsible but if they are a first point of call, let’s do what’s right. We all have to pull together. Networking has to happen, This single dog could have been helped. RSPCA is a non helpful cop-out. Look to where your donations go. Is there someone else who can step up?. I am good for a donation.
Talk to your local vet. Every time you go to a Vet with your munch-kin pay an extra $5 to your account. Introduce your vet to the idea that you are paying a small amount to help an animal whose owner can’t. Most organisations fail individuals miserably despite good intentions. As individuals, it’s not our responsibility but $5 doesn’t hurt much. Just a thought.
Di – that is a super compassionate and excellent plan. Sort of like the ‘pay it forward’ coffees that are all the rage.
An idea definitely worth cultivating.
This type of horrific story is becoming commonplace with the RSPCA. I have lost all respect for what was once a fantastic organisation. Shame, shame, shame RSPCA!!!
Its simple…. you cant make money on a dog that needs expensive surgery!
You cant sell it and make money as no one will pay for a dog with three legs!
Its cheaper to put it down!
RSPCA is nothing but a business whose main interest is to make money not save dogs that actually need saving.
Compare the plight of this dog, who was killed because he was ‘deformed’, to the story of SuperTed the cat they ‘saved’ at Toowoomba recently. He was found on the side of the road in a shocking state after apparently being caught in agricultural machinery. His life was saved after amputating TWO of his legs and his tail, and an appeal was opened to bring in money for his vet bills .. now that is one VERY deformed cat in my opinion, and yet he was given a chance to live and was rehomed? Where is the balance in deciding which animals they will save and which ones they will kill??? There is none. When I saw this cat and what he had been through, of course your heart goes out to him but honestly what sort of future will this poor cat have? .. a painful, very restricted future in my opinion. This particular case bordered on the macarbe for me, it shows how they’re quite happy to use and exploit horribly injured animals to bring the money in, and of course the poor cat tugs on everyone’s heart strings and brings forward lots of pats on the back from the rspca supporters. The rspca have much to answer for, they save the ones who perhaps shouldnt be saved, and dont save the ones who should be. Strange. Very Strange.
As someone who rescues from & volunteers at the RSPCA in Qld, I can say I have seen a number of dogs, cats & even once a goat, come through the shelter with broken legs. The treatment & care these animals receive is wonderful. It would be in exceptional circumstances that the animal would be euthanised & only as a last resort. I have been involved with the RSPCA Qld for over 20 years & as Fiona says they have come a long way in that time. Hopefully the other states will get on board & follow their lead. Sadly, if we stop supporting them, there will be no hope for a massive number of suffering & homeless animals.
and you wonder why the RSPCA has such a poor reputation amongst animal lovers. This stupid government has given them Cart’e Blanche on doing as they please. Accolades my arse. Most inspectors need an lobotomy as they don’t know one breed from another.
Its time the RSPCA turned to the experts for advice and coalition…..have trained people of authority as your inspectors and as for the dogs, they should be ANKC approved All Breed Judges………people that have put years of study into the breeds and are still learning everyday of their lives…………..NO MORE EX COPPERS…………….oh yes you have had them as they are good with the bully tactics.
I’m assuming that the dog was put to sleep because the RSPCA thought that it would be too hard to re-home with only three legs and will only keep them for a limited amount of time, but knowing there are many many rescue groups that operate purely on donations, compassion and generosity of the public I find this very hard to swallow.
Maybe the RSPCA could work together with these groups and help re-home instead of putting these innocent animals to sleep.
In the lovey dovey TV show’s they treat the animal (if an owner cannot afford to do so, and lets face it, vets fees are astounding) and return to the owner.
Such a sad outcome for such a beautiful dog.
Does the RSPCA know what so many people think of them now? They are a disgrace. They should be investigated . Shame Shame Shame indeed!
More people need to be aware of the injustice that the RSPCA gets away with!!!
This is disgusting!!! People wonder why the RSPCA has such a bad reputation….. *sigh*
I would never trust them.
The poor beautiful dog… you murderers….. have you no compassion left?????
I find it painful to read, animals put to sleep needlessly. I have been fortunate to get my much lived rotty from the RSPCA after he was seized when the owner failed to treat his broken leg. As a result of his break he has implants in his hip and his front leg is bent as a result of long periods of hopping around. I don’t understand why chief was treated and rehomed yet this poor dog didn’t. :-( RSPCA I feel very disheartened by your recent behaviour, especially with the moorak centre.
That is pretty pathetic. While I commend the followup done on the dog after leaving the vets & the RSPCA for taking this dog from an owner who was allowing his dog to suffer & go untreated, I can not see why surgery wasnt at least attempted.
So typical of the RSPCA and their “care”……….
It is what I have come to expect from the RSPCA, uncaring, untrustworthy, money hungry murderers. You have hoodwinked the public by taking their money, plus govt. money and yet time and again this is your solution KILL, KILL and KILL. You are a national disgrace with your high kill rates. There is no justification for your RUTHLESS, MERCENARY ways. It is all just a BUSINESS decision to you heartless bastards.
If an animal is being mistreated in any way and this has been brought to the attention of the RSPCA then surely there is a duty of care for them to actually do something, not wait and wait and wait…..mistreatment needs attention immediately otherwise whats the use!
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