Massachusetts wildlife rescue expresses anger over calls resulting in animals being inhumanely euthanized, some of which were savable

A Massachusetts animal rescue is sounding the alarm over what they say is inhumane animal deaths in the Bay State by first responders.

Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford took to social media Saturday to express anger and that change is needed concerning animals being killed after dispatch calls, some of which could have been rehabilitated.

The statement is as follows:

“Alright. I’m going to speak up, because it’s been bothering me for a while. Please read this in its entirety before commenting. Please let me finish this thought.

“This Cooper’s Hawk came in on Christmas Eve. After assessment, it was clear the wound in his chest was irreparable and he was suffering. He was humanely euthanized. That was his Christmas present this year – a quick and painless end to his suffering.

“Some animals aren’t so lucky. There seems to be a disconnect our state and many others need to work on. Police officers are here to defend our citizens but often get called out to wildlife issues that they are not trained nor prepared for. This often results in an unnecessary painful ending for an animal that may have even been savable.

“A young beaver shot multiple times in front of residents while searching for a new territory. A sick goose shot multiple times and stomped on by officers instead of calling a wildlife rehabber for help. Recently, a raccoon intentionally run over multiples times by an officer in front of children on Christmas morning. All in Massachusetts this year. There are more…

“I have been called in situations where officers were about to shoot an animal and residents stopped them – specifically a coyote and a bobcat. Both animals with treatable ailments that we were able to save.

“Let me be very clear – I work with police officers and animal control officers on the regular basis that go ABOVE AND BEYOND to get animals the help that they need – so I am NOT trashing police officers. I very much value them.

“I believe, in most of these situations, there was ignorance on how these situations should be handled and those officers are working with the only tools and information they have.

“But this is not OK. This needs to stop. This is pointless, meaningless suffering and death and our state can do better.

“Our police officers need specific training on how to handle these situations and relationships with local wildlife rehabilitators need to be prioritized so that officers aren’t put in situations they aren’t trained to handle, residents aren’t scarred from witnessing horrific deaths and our wildlife don’t suffer needlessly.”