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Firefighters get a batty request
Firefighter Andy with rescued bat
Firefighter Andy with rescued pipistrelle bat.

Trapped bat freed from car in Cheshire

Firefighters may be used to getting calls about cats stuck in trees, but a crew in Cheshire were recently asked to help with a more unusual situation - a bat trapped in a car.

Tor Connolly from Norton Cross accidentally hit the animal with her car. She explained: "I was really upset because I had hit the bat at around 60mph and thought I'd killed it.

"I put it in my car so I could give the poor thing a decent burial but quickly realised it was still alive so I took it home to make sure all was well."

The next morning, the pipistrelle bat seemed to have recovered so she attempted to release it at Manor Park, close to the site of the accident.

It seems the animal had other ideas, however, as it flew back into Tor's car and either crawled or fell into a small hole in the interior cladding.

Local garages were unwilling to help with freeing the bat, so Tor called the Heath Road fire station.

Firefighter Andy Robinson removed the car's inner panelling but still couldn't find the elusive creature, until it decided to come out from its hiding place in the driver footwell.

Andy said: "We are used to getting some batty requests but this is the first one we've had that really did involve rescuing a bat from the inside of a car."

The bat was transferred into a bat box from the station's community garden and taken to a local bat sanctuary.

Image courtesy of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

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Greyhound Board announces change to vaccination guidance

News Story 1
 The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has published new vaccination guidance, with all greyhounds registered from 1 January, 2027 required to have the L4 leptospirosis vaccination, rather than L2.

The change comes in response to the reduced availability of the 'L2' Leptospirosis vaccine across the UK, and aims to support best biosecurity practice across the racing greyhound population.

GBGB veterinary director Simon Gower, said "While rare, Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can affect both dogs and humans, so it is vital that we offer our greyhounds the broadest possible protection.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Free webinar explores congenital heart disease in dogs

A free webinar is to provide veterinary professionals, dog breeders and pet owners an new insights into congenital heart disease.

Chris Linney, a cardiology specialist and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VSC) member, will present the webinar from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

Dr Linney will explore the types, causes and clinical presentation of congenital heart conditions. This will include diagnostic approaches, treatment pathways and emerging research opportunities.

The session is the third to be organised by The Kennel Club, with the VCS, following an introductory webinar and a talk on acquired heart disease. Dr Linney's webinar consists of a one-hour presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Dr Linney said: "This webinar will be an opportunity to deepen understanding - not just of the diseases themselves, but of how breeders, vets and owners can work together to support affected dogs and improve outcomes for future generations."

Click here to register for the webinar.