An echidna gets a check up at Racecourse Road Veterinary Clinic after Pakenham Police rescued it from a Pakenham front garden.By Elizabeth Lillis
A LOST echidna had a police escort for a medical checkup last week in Pakenham.
The echidna was found in the front garden of a Barrington Drive, Pakenham, home last Tuesday.
Dr Alan Forte from Racecourse Road Veterinary Clinic said police delivered the echidna mid morning to the clinic.
“It was a surprise to see a police car with four officers deliver the echidna, particularly so many officers for one animal,” Dr Forte said.
“One of the male officers brought the echidna in to the clinic in a pet pack,” he said.
Senior Constable Deborah Scott said Pakenham officers received the call for assistance while in the process of dropping two officers in Pakenham Main Street for foot patrol.
“It was in the front garden and was trying to dig under the neighbours fence,” Sen Const Scott said.
Sen Const Scott said Senior Constable John Roberts used a police jacket to try and pry the echidna from the hole it was digging. “It wouldn’t come out so a shovel was gently used to free the animal from the hole,” she said.
A pet pack was supplied for the short trip to the Vet.
Dr Forte said he was told the home owners had called a wildlife sanctuary but they were extremely busy and there was concern the animal would be threatened by dogs in the neighbourhood.
“I think we were their second option as a call for help,” said Sen Const Scott.
Dr Forte said he checked the echidna and found it had no obvious health problems.
“It was definitely a different job,” said Sen Const Scott.
Sen Const Scott said it was not an ordinary call for her and her three colleagues.
Dr Forte said the echidna has been safely returned to the bush near Tonimbuk.
