A FUNDRAISER has been launched in memory of a duck that was cruelly strangled to death.
Quackers, a beloved 10-year-old Indian Runner Duck, a mainstay of Mapperton House, Beaminster, was chased down by a woman's dog, then had its neck wrung by the dog owner and was thrown aside.
Mapperton is the family home of Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke and Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke and is a place where runner ducks and chickens are able to roam free in the grounds.
The pair have since launched a fundraiser titled ‘The Quackers Memorial Pond Fund’ to ‘celebrate the life of the beloved runner duck.’
The money raised from the £10,000 target will be spent on the creation of a new pond which will attract wild ducks and other wetland species to Mapperton.
The team will also plant trees, shrubs and aquatic plants in the pond, alongside a plaque to commemorate Quackers ‘in the hope that her legacy will be the creation of a new wetland habitat which will provide a refuge for wild ducks and other wildlife for decades to come.’
Luke Montagu said: “We hope to channel some of the public attention into support for a Memorial Pond for Quackers, which will form part of our rewilding project and provide a much-needed wetland habitat for wild ducks and many other species.”
He also revealed that sadly the woman who is said to have killed Quackers has not been located.
There are numerous signs at Mapperton asking visitors to keep their dogs on a lead because of the ducks and chickens that roam free.
Viscount Hinchingbrooke added: “While accidents can happen, it is upsetting that the dog owner left the scene without saying sorry.”
The fundraiser comes after Viscount and Viscountess Montagu launched an appeal for the woman to come forward and apologise for her actions.
Luke Montagu said: “One of the team members at Mapperton saw a woman in the café with a small brown and white dog without a lead.
“The dog unfortunately ran off and attacked one of our much-loved runner ducks outside.
"The woman then picked up the injured duck and wrung its neck before throwing the carcass into long grass near the car park. She then left with her young son without saying a word.
“There are numerous signs at Mapperton asking visitors to keep their dogs on a lead because of the ducks and chickens.
And while accidents can happen, it is upsetting that this person would leave the scene without saying anything. We therefore hope she will contact us to say sorry and help find a replacement.”
People can give to the The Quackers Memorial Pond Fund online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/quackersmemorial
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