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Firefighters pay tribute to last 9/11 search dog
Firefighters salute Bretagne as she makes her way into the hospital to be euthanized.

16-year-old Bretagne described as 'one of a kind'

Firefighters in New York have bid an emotional farewell to the last remaining 9/11 search and rescue dog.

Bretagne, a 16-year-old golden retriever, was one of 300 search and rescue dogs deployed by Texas Task Force 1 to scan the wreckage of the World Trade Centre for victims.

On Monday (6 June) she was euthanised at a Texas veterinary hospital, accompanied by her owner Denise Corliss.

As Bretagne made her last walk into the hospital she was saluted by representatives from the CY-Fair Volunteer Fire Department and Texas Task Force 1.

Draped in an American flag, she was later taken to Texas A&M University where vets will study the effects of Ground Zero on her body.

Speaking to the New York Daily News, a CY-Fair Volunteer Fire Department spokesman described Bretagne as “one of a kind” adding that she was eager to do searches, even after she retired.

In her final weeks at home, Bretagne spent much of her time completing a bucket list created by Mrs. Corliss and her husband.

The list included taking Bretagne back to a local elementary school where she used to accompany children during story time.

Bretagne celebrated her 16th birthday in New York City last year, just days before the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

She also helped in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes to ever hit the United States, before retiring at the age of 10. 

Image (C) Houston Chronicle.

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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.