DUCKS with infected feet and deformed beaks have had to be put to sleep after being removed from a Harwich pond.

The RSPCA was called in after concerns from members of the public about domestic breeds of duck on Cox’s Pond.

A number of the birds were removed and rehomed to a wildlife centre.

But it has now been revealed that they have had to be put to sleep due to the severity of their illness, a condition called Bumblefoot.

It is thought to have been caused by the concrete around the pond, having no soft areas to rest their feet and then walking over faeces and rotten food.

The animal welfare charity is now in talks with site owner Tendring Council about the suitability of the pond for ducks to live on and wants residents to keep an eye on the remaining flock.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “We’re really grateful to members of the public who contacted us last month, concerned for the welfare of several ducks living on the pond.

“Sadly some of the ducks were underweight and suffering with infections and also deformities.

“We arranged for the ducks to be taken to an independent wildlife organisation, and very sadly, the ducks’ health deteriorated and their vet made the difficult decision to put them to sleep.

“We know this news will be upsetting to the local community.

“We rehabilitate and release thousands of sick and injured wild animals every year, and so we too find it really sad when an animal can’t be saved for health reasons.”

Wendy Taylor-Jones, manager of Homestart Harwich, took five ducks home after being told by a resident some were limping.

The birds had been relocated to the pond after problems with leeches at Bobbits Hole in Dovercourt where they were living after being hatched as part of a project last June.

She said: “One of our ducks had to be put to sleep but after eight weeks of care the other four have been rehomed.

“We had been doing a treatment twice a day, they had iodine and creams, anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories. It’s a horrible condition that gives them big sores the size of 50p pieces that weep puss.

“That infection goes into their bones and joints, some were dying on the pond.