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Appeal for information on dog fighting
A reward of up to £5,000 is being offered for any information that could lead to a successful prosecution. (stock photo)
Dead dogs bearing signs of fighting found in Bedfordshire  

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) is appealing for information after the bodies of three dogs bearing signs of dog fighting were found in Bedfordshire.

Two of the dogs had cropped ears, an illegal practice used to make fighting dogs look more aggressive. Meanwhile, the teeth of one of the dogs had been filed down, suggesting it had been used as a ‘bait’ dog to spar with more powerful dogs.

All three dogs had been imported into the country and had foreign microchips. Two are thought to be Presa Canario dogs, while the third was a bull breed. Their ‘mutilated’ bodies were found in the Cranfield Road area near Cranfield village, after the charity received a tip-off.

A reward of up to £5,000 is being offered for any information that could lead to a successful prosecution. LACS is aiming to find out who owned the dogs and the location of any suspected dog fights.

Dog fighting was banned in 1835 but remains a significant animal welfare issue in the UK.

LACS campaigns director Chris Luffingham said: “Dogs involved in dog fighting suffer terrible injuries, both in the fights themselves and at the hands of their vicious owners. Most will die in the ring or soon after from their injuries. Others that can no longer fight are often brutally dispatched.

“The League is determined to stamp out dog fighting in this country and we ‘re asking for the public’s help to achieve this. We need to bring an end to the untold suffering dog fighting inflicts on man’s best friend.”

LACS is asking anyone with any information to contact its Animal Crimewatch team on 01483 361108, or email crimewatch@league.org.uk

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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.