Nation's secrets known by dogs
A survey of Britain's pet owners has found that 65 per cent of people will confide in their four-legged friend before, or instead of, a fellow human.
Out of 1193 dog owners taking part in the Churchill Pet Insurance survey, almost nine in ten admitted to sharing a secret with their pet at some stage.
According to Churchill, common worries to be shared with a canine friend were relationships, health, money/finance and work. Almost all of the owners cited the non-judgemental nature of a dog as the reason for telling them secrets.
Ryan O'Meara, editor of K9 magazine, commented: "It's no great surprise that so many Britons turn to their pets as a shoulder to cry on or an ear to confess to.
"They don't judge, they don't tell tales and they seem to always be ready with the right response. Further evidence as to why man's best friend earned his title."
Livestock keepers are being urged to stay vigilant for Bluetongue (BTV-3) following confirmation of the disease in a ewe. The case, confirmed in Staffordshire on 23 June 2026, represents the first confirmed case of infection this summer.
