Prairie dog found far from home
Thursday, 3.50pm - A WILD prairie dog, usually found only in North America, has been discovered in a field in Rippingale.
Thursday, 3.50pm - A WILD prairie dog, usually found only in North America, has been discovered in a field in Rippingale.The eight-inch high rodent is not actually a dog. It was discovered eating sugar beet at a farm in Fen Road on Tuesday (April 28).
The farmer managed catch the animal and contacted the RSPCA as he was not sure what it was.
An RSPCA animal collection officer collected the prairie dog and took him to Ferret Rescue near Bourne, run by Julie Stoodley.
Julie is caring for the animal until a new home can be found.
She said: "He is in quite a poor condition and weighs only one third of his ideal bodyweight. He also has teeth problems, but I do expect him to improve.
"Prairie dogs are only kept in captivity in this country so this one must have escaped from somewhere or even been abandoned by someone who no longer wanted him.
"These animals do not make good pets and need warmth, lots of attention and a specific diet of grasses, hay and root vegetables."
Anyone with information about where the prairie dog came from should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
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Sunday 01 August 2010
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