RSPCA gets bad case of die-a-rhea

Appalling news of bird cruelty in the East Anglian Daily Times.  A South American ostrich called a Rhea was callously shot and killed – by the RSPCA.  The local had got quite used to seeing the Rhea poking around in the fields, doing what Rheas do, eating what Rheas eat,.  Then along came the RSPCA to ‘rescue’ it with a lethal dose of tranquiliser.

Now granted the RSPCA didn’t deliberately kill the unfortunate bird.  Well at lewaqst they said they didn’t.  But quite how you decide on the dosage of powerful morphine-based sedative to dart into a rhea I am not so sure.  I bet the gun-toting Suffolk gent roped in to do the dirty deed had not been in that situation too many times before.

All of which makes you wonder… why?  Granted having an ostrich on the loose on the bridle paths of Suffolk might be somewhat unusual – but let’s face it. It was a domestic bird.  I suppose it might have a bit of a kick, but whatever rheas eat – I bet a bit of it was all the hungry rheas needed.  Or a look at another rhea.

I bet we won’t be seeing this sad little tale on any tear-jerking TV special any time soon.