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Largest former Dogs Trust dog wins award
Galahad weighs the same as a heavyweight boxer, or a baby elephant!

Giant Galahad crowned Dog of the Year 2021. 

Galahad, the largest dog ever to be rehomed by Dogs Trust, was crowned the Dog of the Year at The People's Pet Awards on Friday 10 December.

Weighing an incredible 100kg, Galahad the mastiff made global headlines in May 2021 when an appeal to find him his forever home went viral on the internet.

Galahad's new owners the Dimmock family adopted him in June, and are thrilled that he is being celebrated in this way: “It feels quite surreal that he’s won this award, but he’s a really special dog and we’re thrilled. We’re so grateful to Dogs Trust for bringing him into our lives,” said Colin Dimmock.

“Galahad is the fourth really big dog we’ve had and is the biggest of them all. Every one of them has been so loveable and loyal.

“He’s absolutely brilliant with Matthew, who is autistic. They have such a great relationship. He loves everything about Galahad, apart from the slobber and his snoring that’s so loud we can hear him from our bedroom!”

Galahad was crowned Dog of the Year at a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Friday 10 December, and Dogs Trust chief executive Owen Sharp, who was among the judges who chose Galahad as the winner, said: “I’ve heard so much about Galahad and it was brilliant to finally have the chance to meet the lovable giant.

“The entire judging panel were touched by the gentle giant’s journey to finding his forever home.

“The stories behind the award winners are all so heart-warming and inspirational - from campaigners who are working to change the law to help animals, to animals who have changed the lives of the people they share theirs with, just like Galahad.”

Images (C) Dogs Trust

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.