are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Teri-Ann Baldwin — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 13:46:28 GMT

Seeing dead animals can be traumatic for owners of any age so allowing girls so young to see an animal with a head injury (even it wasn't shockingly bad) is appaling. When my parents dog died when i was 16 i was still traumatised at seeing a beloved animal dead. I've seen owners who's animals have died naturally in absolute shock and grief for weeks after finding their pet so imagine how these girls would have felt? I honestly think the nurse has a lot of apologising to do and would probably say she needs to write a letter personally apologising for her actions. Maybe put a practice protocol in to place to prevent this happening again as, even though there really isn't anything illegal about what the nurse did, morally it is unacceptable. Maybe the nurse needs to have some sort of CPD or training on this also?

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Selena Carnell — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 19:51:48 GMT

Thats awful, did the nurse in question not have any common sense or empathy that children might get upset, I don't like looking at RTA cats even after ... Years in practice. Not surprised the parents are angry. No legal stuff but I would be pulling the nurse in question up about that, really bad PR for the practice as well.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

klr74 — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:20:07 GMT

This was def a poor decision although not illegal as a parent I would be angered that my children had been put in this position without an adult present to counsel and support them. Would be interested to know the outcome.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Steph Tanser — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 22:58:32 GMT

I think, as we all know, that head injuries are very serious and very traumatic for owners that I would have been happier to have the parents consent for their kids to see a dead pet first. Even if it was just a verbal ok over the phone at least that would be something. I have shown many people their deceased pet after a bad accident (as we are not too far from a main road) and it is never good; I have had adults burst in to uncontrollable tears at the site of their much loved pet so I would not be comfortable at all to put a child through that.

Sad times

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Jacqueline Gallacher — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:14:53 GMT

I agree with Helen, the nurse has made a mistake showing unaccompanied children a dead pet, even if it did look ok. think the way forward is an apology and lesson learned.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Roseann21 — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 20:14:02 GMT

As the mother of an 11 year old and a 14 year old, I am absolutely appalled that this happened. I would have reacted in exactly the same way as the mother in question. What on earth is anyone thinking to show a child (which is what a 12 or 13 year old is) their dead cat with a head injury??? I don't know what else to say, I am dumbfounded.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Helen Tottey — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:44:53 GMT

I agree with others, they should not have been allowed to view the body. I think in this scenario a white lie to say cat wasn't there but check telephone number so you could call them if you had it in - that way you can explain to adult the cat is unfortunately dead and invite them to view body. if they brought children with them - then that is there choice. I have had situations where parents think it is good for children to view a body but that was their choice.

I think maybe an apology to the parent is in order from the practice - sorry

I am sure if explained it was in the best intention to give an answer to the "missing cat" saga the parents will understand it wasn't malicious.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:18:41 GMT

Same here - I would have simply taken the missing cat poster from them and then rung their parents. Not a legal matter though - just common sense.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

paula morgan — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:09:41 GMT

I definitely would not have let them see the cat! its upsetting for an adult to see an RTA animal with head trauma let alone a child. I agree with Steph I wouldnt have told them we had it and asked them to leave their phone number and phoned the parents.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Jo Oakden — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:06:43 GMT

I would imagine that is not illegal as they have not signed anything etc. however it was probably very ill advised to let them identify the cat for the reasons given above, and I would understand the mother complaining to the practice. If it got taken far eg rcvs or vmd i doubt the case would get anywhere but the practice would most likely get a 'learn from this' comment!

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Julie-Anne Wilson — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 19:06:05 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]

I personally would not have allowed them to see the cat, I possibly even would not have suggested that we had the cat to them and just rung the parents and explained the situation to them.

Under 16's (or 18's I can't remember exactly which) are not allowed to sign for anything and therefore I would take it that they should not be allowed to identify animals.....especially DOA's which have head trauma, how did the nurse in question know that the children would not completely freak out and end up having nightmares, only the parents can make that decision

[/quote]

I agree. It's not so much an age thing, surely a kid should be able to recognise their cat, but I think letting the kids see their cat in that state is purely the decision of the parents.

Think the nurse was wrong to let them see them the cat, bit traumatic.

Re: are unaccompanied children allowed to identify their pet?

Steph Worsley — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:21:10 GMT

I personally would not have allowed them to see the cat, I possibly even would not have suggested that we had the cat to them and just rung the parents and explained the situation to them.