WRITTLE'S exiled goose Godfrey was this week joined in hospital by the same gang of Indian runner ducks who put him there in the first place.
After reading of Godfrey's plight at the hands of four village pond intruders, residents took matters into their own hands on Saturday.
Bob Hibberd, 68, was joined by friend Glenn Barnby, 38, Nicholas Warn, 46, and Martin Tyler, 50, as they rounded up the troublesome quartet of ducks for the RSPCA to collect.
Armed with large nets and waterproof attire, the four men jumped in to the pond on The Green and captured Godfrey's arch nemeses in less than half an hour.
Mr Hibberd, who has lived in the village since 1997, said: "It was quite amazing how quickly we did the job. We had them caught and caged within 25 minutes. They are the most aggressive ducks I have ever seen, it was quite remarkable.
"It was no wonder Godfrey was looking glum in the days before they beat him up and he was taken away."
Sue Schwar, founder of the South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Orsett, says that Writtle's beloved bird has found companionship at the veterinary centre, but is still on medication.
She said: "Godfrey has got serious arthritis in his legs, although there is nothing unusual about that in older animals. It is comforting to see he has attached himself to a group of geese which are the same breed as him.
"He is on daily pain relief so it is debatable whether we will release him or not. If there is no-one to look after him full-time at the pond it would be cruel to leave him to fend for himself again.
"Without his medication he will be in constant pain, which isn't fair on him. We have to be careful not to be sentimental – anything which is to his detriment we will not entertain."
Godfrey will now be joined at the wildlife centre by the Indian runner ducks, although residents can rest assured they will be kept far away from the Writtle stalwart, a Toulouse goose believed to be about 45 years old.
The RSPCA picked up the ducks from the house of Nicholas Warn's mother on Saturday, allowing a calm tranquillity to return to the pond, albeit without the pond's patriarch Godfrey, who has starred in children's books.
Mrs Warn, 70, said: "I didn't think four ducks could cause such mayhem. I walked past the pond after they had gone and all the remaining ducks looked relaxed once again.
"I would like to say, though, that the whole episode could have been avoided if the Indian runner ducks were not abandoned there at all.
"People should contact the RSPCA if they no longer want a domestic animal."
Katya Mira, of the RSPCA, said: "I have spoken with the animal collection officer about Godfrey and he is stable for the moment, but it is too early to say if he is well enough to return to the pond."
