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Brave Dogs Awarded
PC Neil Sampson with police dog Anya and her medal.
Police dog ‘Anya’ and pet dogs ‘Frodo’ and ‘Oi’ have received the highest award for civilian animal bravery, the PDSA Gold Medal – the animals’ George Cross.

Police dogs Anya, Frodo and Oi received their Medals at HM Tower of London at a ceremony hosted by TV personality, Graham Norton.
 
At just two-and-a-half-years-old, Police dog Anya was stabbed in the chest while defending her handler, PC Neil Sampson, from a knife-wielding attacker in January 2008. PC Sampson, was stabbed seven times during the attack. Despite her injuries, Anya continued to defend PC Sampson and his colleagues, so preventing further, potentially fatal, wounds.

Also receiving PDSA’s Gold Medal was five-year-old Beagle, Frodo, who turned life-saver one night in June 2008 when fire swept through the family home in St Bees, Cumbria. Smoke alarms in the house were faulty, but Frodo sensed the danger and woke up his owner, Jenny Barwise. The heroic dog then led the way through dense smoke to where other members of the family were sleeping. Frodo was hailed a hero by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service for his actions.
 
The third PDSA Gold Medal was a posthumous award to Oi, a courageous Staffordshire bull terrier. When a gang armed with machetes forced their way into the family’s London home in July 2008, Oi was there to confront the intruders. During the violent encounter, one family member was wounded and Oi received a crashing machete blow to the head, exposing her brain. Despite suffering horrific injuries, Oi’s relentless efforts forced the gang to flee and the blood-soaked dog was rushed to Thamesmead PDSA PetAid hospital, The Freda Powell Centre, for emergency treatment. Oi died from cancer in March 2010.

PDSA vet Sean Wensley with Frodo and his medal.
Commenting on the heroic deeds of the three dogs, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “Anya, Frodo and Oi are all worthy recipients of the PDSA Gold Medal which acknowledges extreme acts of courage and dedication in civilian situations. The three dogs now join an elite group of the world’s most courageous companions. Each story is a unique account of bravery that both moves and inspires.”
 
Since its inception in 2001, the PDSA Gold Medal has now been awarded to 18 heroic animals. Recipients include police explosives search dogs Vinnie, Jake and Billy for their life-saving work in the aftermath of the 7/7 terrorist bombings in London, in 2005.

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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.