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Hero dog saves choking owner
Springer spaniel with stethoscope
A springer spaniel called Mollypops used her paramedic skills to save her choking owner.
Mollypops performs the Heimlich manoeuvre

A Carmarthenshire woman has been saved from choking on a sweet by her pet dog, according to media reports.

Springer spaniel Mollypops performed the Heimlich manoeuvre, repeatedly "bashing" her owner in the back with her paws after she began choking.

According to the BBC, owner Rachel Hayes, 40, from Drefach Felindre, rewarded her hero pet with a squeaky chicken toy and some dog treats.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live's Drive: "I'm living alone so there's nobody that could help me... it was only thanks to Mollypops I'm here to tell the story."

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.