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First dog to be cloned in the UK
Channel 4 documentary to air next year

Scientists from Seoul in South Korea say they will be cloning a UK dog for the first time, as part of a documentary to air on Channel 4.

According to the team of scientists at Sooam Biotech, they can clone a dog in just two months by taking a biopsy from the living animal and replicating it to create a man-made embryo. In addition, they say the cells can be banked and activated at a later date.

The technique was reportedly pioneered in 2005 by Dr Woo Suk Hwang, the chief technical officer at Sooam. Despite being one of the most difficult animals to clone, Dr Hwang claims he has now successfully replicated at least 400 dogs - an important step, he believes, in the preservation of rare breeds.

Sooam Biotech say they are the only company in the world currently offering to clone dogs commercially, and have replicated highly trained rescue and police dogs for the South Korean government, as well as pets in the US.

Scientist at the company, Insung Hwang, says: "We can clone any breed, size or shape of canine and are coming to the UK to offer this process to the owner of one very special dog."

The process, however, is not cheap, with a price tag of £63,000 for the cloning of one dog. As part of the Channel 4 documentary, one British dog owner will have their pet cloned for free.

The team at Sooam are open to applications from dog owners looking to win this unusual prize. Prospective winners must contact the company describing what their dog means to them and why they would like it cloned, providing photos and videos.

Channel 4 is set to air the documentary next year, following the process of the UK's first dog cloning.

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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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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.