I refer to an article in the Whitby Gazette on 8 April about the white duck attacked by two black collie cross dogs at Sandsend.

How can anyone stand by and let this happen?

The owners of these dogs are cruel, heartless people.

I collect animals for the RSPCA.

If they get a call and aren’t near the Whitby and surrounding area they ring me and I go and collect them.

On this occasion I wasn’t in Whitby when the RSPCA rang me and said a white duck had been attacked by dogs at Sandsend.

I said I could be there within half an hour.

On finishing that phone call, within a couple of minutes my phone went again.

It was the RSPCA again saying it was okay, a lady had taken the duck to the vet.

I still got back to Sandsend within half an hour.

As I approached the bridge near the Hart Inn I saw a white bird sat against the wall on the beach.

I stopped the car opposite the White Hart Inn and my daughter ran down the grass verge and looked over the wall.

I could tell from the look on her face it was something nasty.

I looked over the wall and saw it was a white duck with blood on it.

I jumped down and got it.

It’s a wonder the poor thing was still alive.

Its back was bald and red raw and its chest was ripped open so badly I could see its air sack moving as it breathed.

I put it in my car and went straight to the vet.

It was so badly injured it was put to sleep straight away.

What I can’t understand was why did the RSPCA get a call to say it had been taken to the vet when really it was left on the beach suffering.

If people take their dogs on the beach and know they chase birds, stay away from places like Sandsend where there are always ducks and keep your dog on a lead.

I can’t say what I really think of the owners of these dogs and would they still have ignored their dogs if a child had been caught up in the middle of this attack?

If anyone finds an injured animal or bird they can call me on (07960) 044453 and I will gladly collect it.