RSPCA
receives reports of 79 abandoned animals in Merseyside during
Coronavirus lockdown
THE RSPCA has received
more than 1,600 reports of abandoned animals across England and
Wales since lockdown began; that's 40 a day. The charity has
released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched
to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the Coronavirus
crisis and continuing to rescue animals most in need. In
Merseyside, there have been reports about 79 abandoned animals
to the charity's cruelty hotline since lockdown started on 23
March 2020. Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated
key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to
help the RSPCA's frontline staff continue this crucial work
across England and Wales. Since the country went into lockdown,
on 23 March 2020, the RSPCA has had 1,663 incidents of
abandonments reported to its cruelty hotline; an average of 40
incidents a day.
Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said:-
"Although much of the country is on lockdown, sadly there are
still thousands of animals who need our help, including
abandoned pets. Many people are finding their pets are a real
source of comfort in these anxious times and thankfully cases of
abandonment are slightly lower than usual but it's heartbreaking
that some animals are being dumped during this crisis. In most
cases we don't know why pets are abandoned, but it's really
important to remind people that there is no evidence to suggest
that Covid-19 can be passed from pets to people. There is lots
of help and support out there for anyone else struggling to get
animal food, with health or behavioural issues, exercising their
pets or managing to keep children safe around pets. Please don't
be afraid to ask for help."
In Liverpool, a giant rabbit was found collapsed unable to use
his back legs after being dumped in a cardboard box, in
Liverpool, on 24 April 2020. He had overgrown nails and was
suffering from flystrike. Sadly, vets felt the only option was
to put him to sleep. Since the Government introduced the
lockdown measures, the RSPCA has responded to more than 27,000
incidents, with 1,600 incidents of abandoned animals reported.
The number of animals being cared for by the RSPCA at Centres,
Hospitals and Vet Surgeries has also grown by hundreds.
Since lockdown began:-
► RSPCA rescuers have dealt with
27,507 incidents of animal cruelty, neglect and suffering
animals which need help.
► The charity has received more than
92,800 calls from members of the public.
► There are more than 4,300 animals in
RSPCA care.
The RSPCA is also urging pet owners to make an emergency pet
care plan, should they be admitted to Hospital with Coronavirus,
including placing
a
poster in the window
informing people that there are pets inside. Many owners are
concerned about caring for their pets amid the Coronavirus
outbreak. There's lots of advice and help on their RSPCA's
website.
To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our
animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and
round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please
donate whatever you can spare at:-
RSPCA.Org.UK.
Letter to the
Editor:- "Covid-19 Risk Assessments will affect all
businesses"
"I have been watching
the current 'flap' about COVID-19 and the chaos it is causing
among business, large and small. The volume of conflicting
advice does not help either, there are so many 'experts' coming
up with differing views and recommendations no 1 is sure who to
believe, yet they are so desperate to get their own company in
order that this the time 'rip offs' occur. I watched the same
thing happen in 1972/3 when the Health & Safety Act became law,
it was published in 1972 as a consultation document which our
company obtained and began to set up the infrastructure, so in
1973 we just 'pressed the button' and set it in motion. However
others were not so lucky and had to start from 'scratch' and
into this chaos appeared many 'experts' offering to assist, with
the answers to everything, unfortunately all was not what it
seemed and many got swindled by unscrupulous 'consultants'. So
please beware if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
It is pleasing to note these days consultants are a regular part
of our Health and Safety scene so we are much more aware of the
pitfalls and many have regular consultants anyway. There is
nothing special about a Covid-19 assessment that a regular H&S
consultant cannot perform, so go to your regular consultant be
guided by him, if he can't do it he will soon know who can.
Please note the 'Risk Assessment' will not be a 1 off, as the
advice develops and knowledge increases the assessment will need
to be modified, so ensure your consultant will plan to update
and modify your assessment as required." John
Lyon-Taylor BSc IOSH MIIRSM, Safety Consultant
Vets need more
Government support, says Merseyside MP
A Merseyside MP has
raised concerns about the financial support being offered to
veterinary practices suffering a:- "huge loss of income"
during the Coronavirus crisis. Sefton Central, MP Bill Esterson,
said vets in the constituency had contacted him to say that
demand for services had gone down, but cutting costs was
difficult because of social distancing rules and a lack of
flexibility from landlords, and that the government's support
packages offered little help. The MP said vital services like
vets needed support as they were a key part of the economy and
would be needed as much as ever once lockdown ends.
Mr Esterson said:- "Vets are telling me they're not
eligible for small business grants, are limited as to the number
of staff they can furlough and have expensive premises that they
have to keep paying for. They are suffering a huge loss of
income but outgoings have barely reduced. They need help.
Landlords are still demanding rent payments even though
businesses are struggling. I am calling for landlords to work
with all businesses to offer rent holidays during this crisis."
Village Vets, based on Brows Lane in Formby and with a branch in
Crosby, has been forced to close its Crosby site in order to
pool resources and keep costs down. The Crosby site will reopen
after the lockdown and all clients across Formby and Crosby are
continuing to receive a service via video, phone and in person
where necessary. Village Vets is also providing a delivery
service for clients to reduce the need for them to travel,
especially if vulnerable or self isolating.
Mr Esterson said:- "Vets are telling me they desperately
need access to financial support packages. It seems the
veterinary profession has so far been overlooked in the
government's support package to businesses and I am really
concerned about this. Vets must continue to operate to maintain
the food supply chain and provide vital care and treatment to
animals, but at the same time they are experiencing a huge loss
of income in order to comply with strict social distancing
measures and will struggle to cover their overheads. They are
not able to furlough many staff because they need to maintain
numbers in case any of the vets becomes sick and has to have
time away from work."
In April 2020, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
ran a survey to assess the immediate impact of Covid-19 on
veterinary clinical practices. 2 out of 3 veterinary practices
had seen a decrease in turnover of over 50%. A quarter of all
practices have seen a decrease of over 75%.
Mr Esterson added:- "Businesses in retail, hospitality and
leisure have been handed up to ₤25,000 in grants by the
Government to help them get through this period, but vets are
not included in this scheme. Also, many vets are self employed
and have earned too much in the past to be eligible for the self
employed income support scheme, even though their current income
has plummeted. I have written to the Chancellor to highlight
these gap in support and to ask that he consider supporting vets
and veterinary practices during this time."
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
THE latest Coronavirus
(COVID-19) laboratory confirmed UK cases is 240,161, that
includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not
included in the 4 National totals. The daily number of
laboratory confirmed UK cases is 3,451, as of Saturday,16 May
2020. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is 34,466. Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK
deaths added to the total on 15 May was reported to be 468
according to the Department of Health. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,538 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 886 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,170 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 724 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 359 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,322 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 982 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,082 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,404 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,004 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 731 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,088 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 935 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 699 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 660 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 607 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 992 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 380 confirmed cases..
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
16/05/2020. Last updated 4.00pm GMT. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 16 May 2020 Video