Duck that went viral after being attacked by a dog during BBC interview on pet safety finds a forever home

A duck that was attacked by an 'out-of-control' dog in a viral BBC News blunder has found a forever home thanks to the work of dedicated animal lovers.In a video which was shared thousands of times, the attack can be seen unfolding while an RSPCA spokesperson explains how to be a responsible owner during the summer heatwaves.The charity's representative, Laura Bennett, was speaking to BBC News in leafy Richmond-on-Thames while a dog in the background carried the bird to the riverbank with the bird clenched firmly in its mouth.While the ironic clip became the subject of amusement for viewers, a small handful of volunteers grew concerned about the welfare of the dog's unfortunate victim.The duck, named Lupita, was badly injured after the mauling and was left struggling to walk, having sustained a broken pelvis and neurological damage.Battered, bruised and frightened from the attack, she hid among the reeds for around 12 hours to stay safe before she was seen again, as local watchers feared the worst.The volunteers decided to act and took her in so that she could be checked by a wildlife vet. Had she not been rescued, the injuries may have proved fatal. But volunteers quickly concluded that she may never be able to return to her riverside home. A dog grabbed a duck in its mouth in the background of a BBC News interview with the RSPCA on how to be a responsible pet owner The pooch could be seen in the clip heading back to the river bank with a bird, named Lupita, clenched in its mouth Lupita's neck bore the scars from her horrifying encounter with the dog in RichmondNow the 'stoic' duck is back fighting fit and has found a forever home in a wildlife sanctuary in Godmanchester. But the volunteers said the BBC acted 'shamefully' in their handling of the video and could have done more to help the injured duck. Vivi Hanson lives in Richmond and takes a keen interest in the wildlife and feeds the ducks every day.She was sitting at a cafe near Richmond Bridge and spotted a kayaker with their dog riding on board. Little did she know the dog was about to launch an attack that would be seen across the country. She said: 'I was sat at the cafe and I had a message asking if I had seen the video. They said they thought Lupita may have been attacked.' Ms Hanson said she was 'horrified' by the video and raced to the riverside to try and find the injured bird.The animal lover waited for hours as the injured duck hid for safety, as more local wildlife watchers arrived to try and catch a glimpse of Lupita.Some 12 hours later, she was finally spotted and the volunteers decided they needed to act.Heartbreaking video footage showed Lupita struggling to walk on the riverbank.The group managed to safely capture her and Ms Hanson took her home.She said: 'I contacted my friend Anne, who is a bird rescuer. She has done for 30 years.'There was obviously something seriously wrong with her.'I managed to feed her and give her water in my bathroom.' Had she not been rescued, the injuries may have proved fatalMs Hanson took Lupita to a wildlife vet in Wokingham, where X-rays revealed she had a broken pelvis.She was taken back to Anne's house where she was given antibiotics and began a three-week road to recovery.The volunteers feared that Lupita may never be able to survive in the river again after her injury and embarked on a search for a forever home.They discovered the Waterfowl Sanctuary in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where owner Graham agreed to take her in, he too having been horrified by the BBC footage.Now she is enjoying her new life at the sanctuary and has quickly made new friends within the flock.Ms Hanson has a keen interest in Richmond's wildlife but has had a particular attachment to Lupita for several years.The dog attack was just the latest test for Lupita, who has suffered a tough start to life before reaching the plush Richmond riverside.She said: 'Lupita and two other ducks are domestic ducks that don't belong in the river. They were dumped by somebody four years ago.'They belonged to someone who didn't want them anymore.'I remember the day they appeared I ran over to them and they were terrified. Between myself and a few others, we look after them.'There are three. The two females get attacked constantly by the mallard ducks but they manage well and always come up to us for feeding.'Unfortunately, the river is not such a safe place. She was already vulnerable 'The three of them always stayed together. They were a big attraction for Richmond. They always came up and ate from my hand, so they knew me.'We called them the three Amigos: Lupita, Pancho and Blondie.'It is just a shame that they are not together anymore.' Lupita suffered a broken pelvis in the attack and struggled to walk of jump out of the waterMs Hanson said Lupita was 'stoic' for the way she has been able to carry on throughout her trials and tribulations.Standing up for the animals did not win them favour from large sections of the general public.As Ms Hanson and her friends tried to stand up for the ducks, they were torn down by members of the public, who remained amused by the video.She added: 'The messages on the BBC video were horrendous. Horrible, horrible.'I had to stop reading them because they were horrible.'I had people accusing me or abusing me because the ducks had names.'Even in person we try and ask people to keep their dogs on leads and we get shouted at and called all kinds of names.'Ms Hanson also criticised the BBC, who she says acted 'appallingly' while capturing the footage.She said: 'They were interviewing the RSPCA woman and the cameraman could see what was happening because he moved from the RSPCA woman to the dog grabbing Lupita.'Not one of them did anything to stop it or shout at the woman. They did nothing about it whatsoever.'They really were shameful with their behaviour, because they could have stopped that woman.'The cameraman saw it and pans to the dog, he could have stopped and said "look at what is happening".'Ms Hanson now advises dog walkers to keep in mind the effect their dogs could have on some of the more vulnerable wildlife in the river.She said: 'I know all the dogs on the riverside. I have treats with me, and I know most dogs would never go and chase birds.'If you cannot control your dog or your dog doesn't have a recall, all you have to do is have your dog on the lead from Twickenham Bridge to Richmond Bridge, because that's where all the birds are after that, you can let your dog off the lead.'