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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th March 2013
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Labrador blessed by Pope Francis
Image: Asià - Rossella Lorenzi
Dog among the first to be blessed by new pope

Pope Francis departed from tradition on Saturday when he blessed a yellow Labrador Retriever named Asià.

Radio journalist Alessandro Forlani, and his guide dog Asià, waited to enter the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall on Saturday, as journalists from all over the world gathered to report on the election of Pope Francis.

"As I waited in line to enter the hall, the security guards told me that most likely I wouldn't be allowed to get in with the dog," said Forlani, who works for Italian RAI radio.

However, after a few minutes, Forlani and Asià were given the green light by Vatican officials, and escorted to the audience hall by a Swiss guard.

Following the pope's speech to those gathered in the hall, Vatican officials informed Forlani that Pope Francis had asked to meet him and Asià.

Asià reportedly sat quietly onstage as her owner spoke to the pope. After blessing Forlani's wife and daughter, Pope Francis bent down to caress the dog, saying: "and a special blessing for your dog too."

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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. 

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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.