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Goat's bleating mistaken for cries for help
goats
Police say a member of the public misheard the goats' bleating, believing it to be cries for help. (file photo)

Rescue helicopter goes on 40-mile round trip and finds goats

A worried member of the public sparked a police helicopter search after mistakenly reporting screams for help in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset - which turned out to be a goat and her kid.

Following the 999 call reporting cries from the cliffs, a police helicopter was sent from Filton in Bristol, 20 miles away.

Within minutes of arriving at Cheddar Gorge, however, police quickly realised the sounds were actually coming from a goat and her kid.

Avon and Somerset Police said: "The caller reported hearing cries from the cliffs. Any concern for welfare is taken very seriously, particularly in areas where walkers can fall and injure themselves.


"Our search and rescue team were in the area and checked the cliffs using video and thermal imaging. We couldn’t find anyone in distress. However, there were a number of goats on the cliffs and it is possible that the member of public misheard."

The National Police Air Service, tweeted: "Cheddar Gorge reports of cries for help. We located a goat and her baby believed responsible for the calling. We're not kidding!"

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.