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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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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.