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RSPCA People’s Choice Award winner announced
Sophie Green's winning photograph, 'Leap Frogs', shows Pepper the spaniel leaping over a fence with Mabel the cockapoo.
Eighteen-year-old Sophie Green takes the trophy.

A public vote has meant that Sophie Green, an 18-year-old from Northumberland, has won the RSPCA People’s Choice Award.

Her winning photograph is called ‘Leap Frogs’ and shows spaniel Pepper leaping over a fence at Blyth beach with her friend, Mabel the cockapoo.

The People’s Choice Award category, part of RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards, invited members of the public to vote for one of thirteen images to take the top spot. This year the category received 5,700 votes.

Ms Green’s photograph received the most votes, winning her £100 in Amazon vouchers and an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy.

She was also a runner-up in the RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards last December. Ms Green entered a portfolio of images picturing dogs doing agility – including Pepper peeking through the branches of a tree looking for her ball.

Ms Green has been taking photographs since she was 12 years old, with a particular focus on animals and nature.

She said: “I never expected to win! There were so many great photos shortlisted so to win is incredible. It’s so nice knowing my hard work has paid off and that so many people have liked and appreciated my photo. I’m just over the moon and my mum is so happy she immediately called my grandma and my dad too.

“This has inspired me to carry on doing photography in my spare time and maybe even to have a photography business on the side!”

Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA photographer and awards judge, said: “Sophie is a very worthy winner. We loved her portfolio featuring dogs in action during the competition in December so to see her winning the People’s Choice Awards is fantastic.

“Keep up the good work Sophie!”

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2024 will launch on Tuesday, 7 May, with an expert panel including RSPCA president Chris Packham.

The panel is urging young photographers to get involved, as the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. Photographers can register their interest at YPA24@rspca.org.uk for full information when the competition launches.

Image: ‘Leap Frog’ © RSPCA Young Photographers Awards/Sophie Green

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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.