Should I visit?

Re: Should I visit?

Steve Johnson — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 10:47:09 GMT

Lets hope the OP's failure to reply doesn't indicate anything fatal...

Re: Should I visit?

Stephen Courtney — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 22:44:06 GMT

So what did the OP do, given that this was some many hours ago? And how did it go?

Re: Should I visit?

Utlendigur — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 19:43:04 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Utlendigur"]or police to shoot it[/quote]

Oh no. Please. Shoot it if you have to, but get anyone but the police!

[/quote]

I was being slightly tongue in cheek - just glad they didn't get involved here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-23654993

Re: Should I visit?

Clive Ansell — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 17:27:12 GMT

I also would go and deal with it if I could, but your safety and that of other staff and the public have to be the over riding priority. As the professional in charge, you can be held personally accountable if some one is injured and you haven't taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety (like having the necessary basic equipment)

If you don't have the necessary equipment, maybe you should decline, or contact other practices in the area to either borrow what you need, or ask them to attend. You could also attend and assess the situation, but there seems little point if you can't deal with it there and then.

As the animal is not suffering. there is no obigation with regards to the RCVS GtoPC to attend.

There was a case several years ago now, where a vet and a nurse left an OOH clinic in Coventry unattended to visit and PTS a pit bull that had turned aggressive in a tower block. Both vet and nurse were injured, the nurse fairly badly, and police had to attend to shoot the thing in the end. All got messy when lawyers got involved filing a personal injury claim on behalf of the 22 year old nurse who had had a promising modeling career ahead of her. (As an aside, as the nurse left in an ambulance, the police departed, and the vet made his way to back to base with dead dog in the car, the owners asked if they could have his ashes returned!)

Re: Should I visit?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 16:50:21 GMT

[quote user="Utlendigur"]or police to shoot it[/quote]

Oh no. Please. Shoot it if you have to, but get anyone but the police!

Seriously, by all means visit if you reckon you can handle the business professionally, and charge accordingly. But you are not obliged to, that's rubbish.

Re: Should I visit?

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 15:17:53 GMT

Agree with Bob in that you should have suitable protective gear. I used our dog catcher yesterday - it's likely outing for the year.

I would also go and deal with the issue. Would charge as visit, hourly rate and drugs.

Have done a couple of things similar and find that once someone who is equipped and knows what they are doing goes along things can usually be brought to a quick and dignified end.

Re: Should I visit?

Utlendigur — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 14:26:45 GMT

Have you spoken to the dog warden or police yourself. Might be worth a call to see if anyone has contacted them, rather than just taking the owner's word for it that they won't help. She may have simply told them she wants the dog pts - after all if it has attacked someone, she is probably not going to admit that to police/dog warden for fear of prosecution. It might be worth trying to arrange a joint effort (assume you would have to get her permission to give them her details) - dog warden to catch it, you to pts, or police to shoot it if all else fails.

Re: Should I visit?

Bob Russell — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 14:19:04 GMT

The practice really should have sufficient protective gear!

We have a dog catcher that gets used once every 5 years or so but we still have one.

You don't have a duty to visit because there is no direct welfare issue with the dog. Quote for a visit plus the cost of euthanasia and add in the cost of a dog catcher. Make sure the bill is paid in advance!

The cost will probably get the non-client to look elsewhere!

You are not paid danger money!!!

Alternatively get it doped in advance with a shedload of ACP, you should be able to get a slip lead over its neck (with care). Slide the lead under a door and give euthatal IP.

Vets are not obliged to help nor visit the dog. This sort of response is exactly the bullshit we can expect following the DC's daft decision recently. The RSPCA/Police etc are using it as an excuse not to help (assuming the non-client is telling the truth of course!).