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Evidence heard on circus bill
Government publishes written evidence on draft bill

 Following a draft bill aimed at banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England, written evidence has been supplied by a range of organisations and individuals.

The draft bill was published by Defra on April 16, and will make it an offence for wild animals to be used in circuses for performance or exhibition from December 1, 2015.

Written evidence was published on the parliamentary website on May 28, and includes responses from the RSPCA, Captive Animal's Protection Society (CAPS) and the Born Free Foundation.

Whilst the legislation has been welcomed by animal welfare and conservation organisations, concerns have been raised by the fact that the bill does not specify that wild animals cannot travel with a circus.

If the bill goes through in England, this could permit wild animals to tour with a circus, but not perform or be exhibited. Therefore, circuses could transport animals to Wales or Scotland to perform.

The ongoing inquiry aims to scrutinise the draft bill in order to determine its effectiveness in banning the use of wild animals in circuses. 

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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.