A few days ago, Lucia Marina Bacca found an injured robin on the ground. The bird was not well, but it was breathing and occasionally opening its eyes. – I had hope that it could manage with the right help, she says. Lucia Marina Bacca is frustrated that she has to pay for trying to help an injured bird. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news First, Bacca contacted the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. They advised her to let nature take its course as the robin is not a protected bird species. – They also said that I could kill him myself, which I didn’t have the heart to do, she says. Bacca took Robin to the AniCura animal hospital in Stavanger in the hope that he would survive. She delivered the bird and got a phone call shortly after: It died of a punctured lung before the vet could look at it, according to Bacca. Was sent an invoice Then she was sent an invoice for a total of NOK 2,520: Euthanasia: NOK 725 Consultation: NOK 1,360 Cremation and handling: NOK 291 Coffin: NOK 144 This is the invoice Bacca was sent. – As a student, this is a large sum for me, and I feel punished for having tried to do the right thing, she says. The law states that you are obliged to help an animal you come across that is injured: Animal Welfare Act § 4 § 4. Duty to help Anyone who comes across an animal that is obviously sick, injured or helpless must, as far as possible, help the animal. If the animal is an animal from a zoo or big game, and it is not possible to provide sufficient help, the owner or the police must be notified immediately. If it is obvious that the animal cannot live or recover, the person who encounters the animal can euthanize it immediately. Animals from animal husbandry and big game must not be euthanized in accordance with this provision if it is possible to get hold of the owner, veterinarian or the police within a reasonable time. Necessary expenses for measures according to this provision must be paid by the state, but expenses related to measures towards animals from animal husbandry can be claimed back from the animal keeper or owner. The provision in the first and second paragraphs applies accordingly to the person who causes expensive damage, but that person cannot claim coverage from the state for expenses for relief measures. – I am sorry that this contributes to people perhaps thinking twice before they want to help other injured animals. Maybe I’ll be one of them. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority provides support Ane Ramskjær is a senior adviser at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. She refers to the regulations they have on remuneration for animal health personnel for emergency assistance to animals. It states that the Norwegian Food Safety Authority provides remuneration to veterinarians for emergency assistance to sick, injured or helpless animals. This covers simple treatment or euthanasia, but not further treatment or rehabilitation. Further examinations, treatment or rehabilitation are not considered emergency aid, and are therefore not covered by the state. And if you come across injured small game, such as a bird, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority recommends that you kill the animal yourself. If you do not euthanize, you must either take the animal to a vet, who euthanizes the animal at no cost to you, or call the police on 02800, their website says. Anicura: – Behaved correctly Liv Krabbe Kyvåg is head of communications at Anicura Norway. She has investigated what happened and what has been communicated. – AniCura is adamant that we acted correctly in this situation, and did what we could to meet the pet owner’s wishes, she says. Krabbe Kyvåg says clear information must have been given when the animal hospital received the injured bird. Anicura said the Norwegian Food Authority only pays for the killing or emergency care of wild animals that are injured. – She was therefore made aware that this was something that had to be paid for by the person concerned, when she insisted that we tried to save the bird, says Krabbe Kyvåg. Must still be paid by Bacca She understands that this was difficult for the animal owner to experience, and that it may have been difficult to understand what was being communicated. The communications manager says they have contacted the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in relation to this matter. They have said that they will cover costs associated with euthanasia. – But the consultation itself in the form of treatment in an attempt to save the bird is something that still has to be paid for by her, says Krabbe Kyvåg. Published 29/10/2024, at 21.26
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Got an invoice for NOK 2,500 – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
