Lucky Miss Hiss

FEATHERED friends . . . Miss Hiss with (from the left) Donata Butler, veterinary nurse Kathryn Mowbury and Val Wynn

HERE’S one Christmas goose who won’t be cooked after two friends took a gander at her at Strinesdale Reservoir.

She is enjoying a new lease of life at the beauty spot today after undergoing vital surgery.

The plucky goose was discovered limping around after nearly slicing off part of a foot at the country park.

But the poorly poultry was spotted by friends Donata Butler and Val Wynn, who regularly feed the bird at the beauty spot.

They managed to capture her, get her into a holdall and take her to County’s End Veterinary Hospital, in Lees.

Named Miss Hiss by staff, she is now expected to make a good recovery after the injured part of the foot, which was hanging on by the webbing membrane, was amputated.

Practice owner Joanna Bednarska carried out the delicate operation and said: “We have had her swimming in a large bath because the first 48 hours are crucial to get her used to the leg.

“She is very good natured. She is not hissing at us any more and she is doing well.”

Donata said that Miss Hiss, who was released back into the wild yesterday. is one three geese at Strinesdale Reservoir which can’t fly.

The retired school caretaker, of Braodbent Road, Watersheddings, believes that they are domestic animals which have been dumped.

She added: “She probably cut her foot on a broken bottle or the tins that anglers use.

“As we were feeding her, Val went round the back, grabbed her by the neck and put her in the bag. It was very easy to catch her.

“She is a beautiful goose. She was posing for the pictures as if she knew what was going on.”