Discussion
Was watching some RSPCA/Vet programme this morning, whilst dreaming up an excuse for being late for work.
A skunk had been spotted on the loose and the RSPCA had gone to catch it. They had presumed that it was an escaped/released pet and therefore would have had its scent glands removed (to stop it stinking). When they went to collect it they discovered that it clearly hadn't had its scent glands removed
Anyway, they were going to take it to a zoo only to discover that the zoo wouldn't accept it if it still had its scent glands. So the plan was to take it to the vet and have the glands removed via an operation. It transpires that since 2006 it's been illegal to remove the scent glands of a skunk as it is deemed as purely "cosmetic". They kept ringing round all these various wildlife places and none would take the skunk without it having the Op.
So the RSPCA guy turns to the camera and says "we'll probably have to put it to sleep as we can't find a home for it..."
WTF?!?!? So you can't legally remove its scent glands because it's "cruel & unnatural" but you can legally kill it?!?!
What a f
ked up state of affairs.
Dunno what happened in the end as I had to leave as was already 90mins late....
A skunk had been spotted on the loose and the RSPCA had gone to catch it. They had presumed that it was an escaped/released pet and therefore would have had its scent glands removed (to stop it stinking). When they went to collect it they discovered that it clearly hadn't had its scent glands removed
Anyway, they were going to take it to a zoo only to discover that the zoo wouldn't accept it if it still had its scent glands. So the plan was to take it to the vet and have the glands removed via an operation. It transpires that since 2006 it's been illegal to remove the scent glands of a skunk as it is deemed as purely "cosmetic". They kept ringing round all these various wildlife places and none would take the skunk without it having the Op.So the RSPCA guy turns to the camera and says "we'll probably have to put it to sleep as we can't find a home for it..."
WTF?!?!? So you can't legally remove its scent glands because it's "cruel & unnatural" but you can legally kill it?!?!
What a f
ked up state of affairs. Dunno what happened in the end as I had to leave as was already 90mins late....
I must have caught the end of this as they had a guy who was keeping skunks in his house and trying to tame one, he seemed to really care for them but was what you'd call an odd character.
As for the removal of scent glands I'd imagine its something to do with leaving an animal in long term distress but I'm no vet. Apparantly once they become accustomed to humans they stop using the scent naturally or only very rarely.
As for the removal of scent glands I'd imagine its something to do with leaving an animal in long term distress but I'm no vet. Apparantly once they become accustomed to humans they stop using the scent naturally or only very rarely.
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