Neighbours on the scent of lost skunk
A skunk has been on the loose for almost two weeks after escaping from his enclosure following a house move.
Barney, who is two, made his escape on July 16, and despite being seen multiple times by neighbours, owner Michele Cooper has not managed to track him down.
She said: “For more than a week he was spotted by someone every night but by the time we managed to get to each location after receiving a call, he was already gone.”
Michele, who moved from Hertfordshire earlier this month to a farm in Kentisbeare, Devon, also owns horses, pigs and owls, as well as camels Dolly and Daisy, two meerkats and five emus. Barney was rehomed with her family in 2021.
“We take in lots of rehomed animals and we were delighted to welcome Barney,” said Michele.
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“You don’t need any special licence to own a skunk, and he’s a very, very friendly animal. We keep him purely as a pet. When we lived on our old farm in Hertfordshire he never strayed once, and we think the move has just unsettled him. We’re desperate to get him back.”
While Barney normally eats pre-prepared high-protein foods such as eggs, crickets, grubs and frozen chicks, reports, since he went missing, have suggested he’s now foraging for his food, eating things like peanuts from bird feeders in the area.
Michele is now hoping someone with a drone might be able to help.
“We believe Barney is within six or seven miles,” she said. “But because we’re always too late to get him, we’re hoping tracking him in real-time via a drone will help.
“We’re so grateful for all the support we’ve had from people nearby who have been out looking for him in the woods, and now we hope we can take things up a step."
Your pet pics
(Dogs Trust Ballymena)This is Malt, a lively Labrador on the lookout for his perfect match. The one-year-old blondie has spent two months in a County Antrim rehoming centre and is raring to go with his forever family. A typical energetic Labrador, Malt loves to play, swim, chase anything that moves – and lap up all the affection that’s on offer.
As such a young lad, he still has lots to learn, so he is looking for committed owners with time for continued training. Conor O’Kane, Manager at Dogs Trust Ballymena, said: “Anyone who owns or has ever owned a Labrador knows they make a fantastic family pet if they receive plenty of exercise and enjoy an active lifestyle.
"Malt is no lap dog – he is fun and lively and is excited about many things including playing, learning and of course, his food.”
For more information on Malt or to apply to adopt him, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.
Snakes on a train!
Commuters were left in shock when a snake hitched a lift in a train last weekend (@soph_johnstone)Travellers were left in shock when a snake hitched a lift in a train last weekend. The 5ft slitherer, a type of corn snake, was spotted in a carriage on a train going from Shipley to Leeds, where it was removed and placed in a ventilated cardboard box before being picked up by the RSPCA.
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One commuter posted a picture of the snake online, with the image viewed three million times and gaining thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Now named Noodles, the orange snake is being cared for by the experts at Reptilia in Ossett, West Yorkshire, and will be rehomed if no owner comes forward.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Katie Hetherington said: “Obviously coming face-to-face with a bright orange snake on a train would be an alarming sight for many people, but corn snakes like this one are completely harmless.”
The People's Pet Awards
Nominations are now open for the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox. We’re looking for cats, dogs and pets of every shape and size who have saved and transformed lives, rescue animals who have overcome the odds, and pets who win the hearts of everyone they meet.
There are also categories for people of all ages who make a difference in animals’ lives. If your pet, or a pet you know, deserves an award you can find more info and nominate them at thepeoplespetawards.co.uk.
Tell us about your pets and send us your questions at [email protected].
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