Re:Well done Shane???
Hi J.....B and all,
Thank you for raising your concerns regarding the story about the cane toad. After reading your post I feel I need to reply and clarify a few "truths" about the story.
As you state you found the cane toad on Wednesday morning. After contacting Peter at the Zoo you were referred to me. You arrived at my practice 2 days later on Friday.
When you arrived at my Hospital I was unable to come and speak to you at the time because I was in the middle of treating a gravely ill Central Bearded Dragon that was having convulsions secondary to Metabolic Bone Disease. Unfortunately you did not leave any contact details for me to call you and thank you for bring the toad in.
I appreciate all your efforts in calling around and bringing it all the way from Cranbourne to Frankston. As many on this forum will atest there are not many of us vets that are experienced with reptiles and we can be hard to find! That is slowly changing as reptiles become an increasingly popular pet (as highlighted by the number I see on a regular basis!)
When I was able I examined the toad and reaffirmed Peter's identification of it as a Cane Toad. I immediately euthanased it. I then emailed Peter to thank him for referring you to me. I also made the effort to call and speak to one of the senior inspectors at the Department of Sustainability and Environment to inform him of the toad and the fact that it had been euthased. He offered to pay me for my services but I told him I was MORE than happy to humanely euthanase this pest.
One of my veterinary nurses felt it would make a good story and rang the Frankston Leader. They rang me back about 5 minutes later and conducted a short phone interview. I told her where the toad had come from and why it was euthanased etc. I was very bemused when I saw the story because they obviously embelished it and had not given an accurate account.
Within 10 minutes of the story being posted on their website I was called by Channel 7 asking for an interview. I obliged and they came to the Hospital and shot a 5 minute interview. I again repeated where it had come from, why it was euthanased, what impact the toads could have etc. This was edited down to a 30 second grab that was seen on the nightly news (something I have yet to see as I was working late on Friday evening!). Obviously much of the important information in the interview was left out of what was aired on the news. I am also told by those who saw the news that nowhere in the interview was my practice mentioned...so much for free publicity!
Shortly before my interview with Channel 7, I was contacted by the reporter who wrote the story that you linked to in your post. She wanted your contact details to speak to you. I gave her Peter's from the Zoo and I presume she contacted you via him.
Joanne, I am sorry that this news story has annoyed you. I can assure you the way it was reported was WELL out of my control and was not how I wanted it portrayed. It just goes to show you how the media can let a good story get in the way of the facts, even for such a small story!
If you still have those questions to ask or would like to speak about any other issues please do not hesitate to call or email me. More than happy to have a chat.
Regards,
Dr. Shane Simpson BVSc(Hons), GCM(VP), CMAVA
Veterinarian with a special interest in reptiles and amphibians
Karingal Veterinary Hospital
Frankston, Victoria