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Dog owners complain over promotional chocolate
A number of dogs ate the free Green & Black’s chocolate bar that was sent in the post. (stock photo)
Free bar sent out to Sainsbury’s customers

Pet owners have complained to Sainsbury’s after some dogs ate a free Green & Black’s chocolate bar that was sent in the post to reward card holders.

The supermarket chain said it is investigating the situation “as a matter of urgency”. It has so far received five complaints, but these have not all been verified.

Dog owner Sarah Hayward rushed her cocker spaniel Jarvis to the vet after he ate the promotional chocolate while she was at work.

“My parents, who came home to let the dogs out at lunchtime, found the empty packet on his bed - and obviously they were trying to work out what it was initially,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They realised it was chocolate and the second they called the vet they were told to rush him straight in. He was put on various drips to flush fluids down him to try and induce him to be sick.”

Sammy Taylor, from Kent, said on Facebook that she was “furious” with Sainsbury’s after her puppy ate the chocolate and had to receive veterinary treatment.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re extremely sorry for the distress this has caused. We know chocolate is unsafe for pets to eat and that’s why we had measures in place to safeguard against pet owners receiving this promotion. We are urgently investigating what went wrong.”

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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.