Letters: 'We cannot treat an injured fox due to French wildlife rules’, claims vet
Connexion reader says the vet refused to treat the animal 'to prevent the spread of diseases'
The vet said that the fox could not be treated to avoid spreading diseases to domestic animals
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To the Editor,
We recently found an injured fox outside our gate that we believe had been struck by a passing vehicle.
We called our vet, only to be told, to our great surprise, that it's illegal in France for a veterinary practice to treat wild animals.
Our vet explained that it's partly to prevent diseases from passing to domestic animals, but also in support of other initiatives - for example France has been officially free of bovine tuberculosis since 2001, partly as a result of strict controls regarding wildlife.
What was even more surprising was that the nearest licenced wildlife refuge was almost 200km away in Ustaritz near Bayonne, so it's entirely understandable that people are reluctant to intervene.
In this case a fox that was sufficiently injured that it was unable to move much, would have died a slow lingering death over a period of days had we not made that journey.
It was not surprising to hear from the staff there that a significant number of people who arrived with foxes and similar wild animals were English...
Dorne Lovegrove, by email
The vet appears to be incorrect: France's Code of Veterinary Ethics (article R. 242-48 V) states that when a vet is "in the presence of a wounded or sick animal [...] of a species for which he has the competence, technical skills and appropriate equipment, he shall endeavour, within the limits of his possibilities, to alleviate the animal's suffering".
After treatment, the animal must be transferred to a rescue centre within 72 hours.
Similarly, while it is illegal to interfere with wild animals, a circular dated July 12, 2004, recognises an exception for animals in distress.
It authorises private individuals who discover an animal in distress that is unable to survive in the natural environment to transport it to the nearest rescue centre by the shortest route after notifying the rescue centre and the OFB, the gendarmerie or the police.
Have you ever tried to help an injured wild animal in France? What was your experience? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
