New mate for Tilesheds Pond's Muscovy duck after partner dies following dog attack
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Despite the RSPCA recovering the duck and taking it to a local vet, its injuries were too severe to save it.
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Hide AdThe pair of ducks had made the pond their home for a number of years and were well-known to local residents who described being “saddened” by the “heartbreaking” loss of the male.
Ashleigh Ferguson, who lives near Tilesheds pond had been checking on the female over the weekend.
And thanks to the generosity of one member of the public she has some company on the water again.
Gary Wood - who lives in Stanley, County Durham but runs an allotment nearby in South Tyneside - saw Ashleigh’s Facebook posts and set about finding the lonely female a new mate.
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Hide Ad“I know ducks are sociable creatures and Muscovy’s aren’t native to Britain so the chances of her finding another mate were pretty slim,” said the 38-year-old.
“I thought I can’t have her sitting there on her own.
“My neighbour at the allotment keeps Muscovy ducks and it just so happens he had a breed at the same time.”
Gary went ahead and purchased the duck and he and Ashleigh introduced the pair on Sunday, June 7.
“They are both are currently in hiding,” he continued.
“It must be a shock to the system for him to go from an allotment to what must be a duck’s paradise.
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Hide Ad“But they have already mated – apparently that was the first thing they did.”
The RSPCA inspector said she was concerned to hear reports the dog may have been intentionally set on the duck and encouraged anyone with information that could help an investigation to contact her on 0300 123 8018.
Northumbria Police are also making inquiries into the incident.