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Indian politician awards donkeys for loyalty
donkey
Mr Nagaraj said that donkeys were the most ignored creatures, which need to be recognised.
Awards presented at bus terminus in city centre

A politician from India has honoured two donkeys in Bangalor in recognition of their hard work, loyalty, honesty, discipline and obedience.

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, Vatal Nagaraj, who heads a regional political party in Bangalore, said: "I have decided to honour all domestic animals like donkeys, dogs, buffaloes, cows and oxes, as they are more loyal than human beings, hard-working, disciplined and obedient."

Mr Nagaraj presented the awards to the two donkeys at the inter-state bus terminus in the city centre, much to the amusement of the people who were gathered there.

After bathing the donkeys and dressing them up for the occasion, Nagaraj draped the donkeys with colourful beads and shawls. He then showered them with rose petals. The event drew huge applause from scores of his supporters, admirers and the curious crowd that stopped to witness the occasion.

On Monday (January 5) The Times of India reported Nagaraj saying that donkeys were the most ignored creatures, which need to be recognised.

Vatal said: "No applications invited, no applications received. And no juries set up to chose the candidates for award. This happens to be the most unique award ceremony in the world."

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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.