A frightened fox had to be saved by rescuers after plummeting 6.5ft down a lift shaft.
The animal was found at a building site in Medway Street, Chatham with a broken front leg on Friday (October 4).
A construction worker alerted the RSPCA after spotting the fox huddled a the bottom of the temporary shaft unable to walk and with blood coming from him.
The builders had initially put a scaffold board down, creating a ramp so he could climb out, but when he didn’t they called for help.
Animal rescue officers, Adam Tasker and Brian Milligan clambered down and helped free the helpless animal.
Adam said: “I was able to quietly and slowly corner the fox and catch him using my reach and rescue pole.
“I put him into a basket to carry him back to the top.”
“We assessed him once we got him back out into the light and it was clear his leg was badly broken and the fox was incredibly traumatised and in a lot of pain – it was really upsetting to see.”
After examination, officers saw he would not be able to recover from his injuries or be released back into the wild and made the decision to put him down.
Brian said: “When we’re called to sick, injured and trapped wildlife we always hope for a happy ending and our ultimate goal is always to get them back to the wild where they belong.
“But, sadly, the reality is that these jobs don’t always end that way.
“Sometimes our job is also about alleviating wild animal suffering by euthanasia. It’s never what we want to do, but is an important part of the job and of ensuring good standards of animal welfare.
“We have to take the positives where we can from these sorts of call-outs and that’s that we were able to rescue this fox quickly, remove him from a very scary and painful situation and quickly relieve that suffering to ensure he didn’t have to experience a long and painful death.
“We can always take comfort in the fact that we were able to help him in his hour of need and show him kindness until the very end.”
For information of how to get help for animals as quickly as possible, and how to report cruelty and neglect click here.
Last week, KentOnline reported how RSPCA had to rescue two fox cubs after they fell 10ft through a skylight into a flat in Ramsgate.
A spokesman said: “When an animal is in need, the quicker they get help the better.”
“There may be times when you can help get a sick, injured or abandoned animal quickly by taking them directly to a vet, rehabilitation centre or rescue centre, or free a trapped animal yourself – and the RSPCA offers bespoke advice to the public about the quickest way to get an animal in need help.”
