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Indian politician awards donkeys for loyalty
donkey
Mr Nagaraj said that donkeys were the most ignored creatures, which need to be recognised.
Awards presented at bus terminus in city centre

A politician from India has honoured two donkeys in Bangalor in recognition of their hard work, loyalty, honesty, discipline and obedience.

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, Vatal Nagaraj, who heads a regional political party in Bangalore, said: "I have decided to honour all domestic animals like donkeys, dogs, buffaloes, cows and oxes, as they are more loyal than human beings, hard-working, disciplined and obedient."

Mr Nagaraj presented the awards to the two donkeys at the inter-state bus terminus in the city centre, much to the amusement of the people who were gathered there.

After bathing the donkeys and dressing them up for the occasion, Nagaraj draped the donkeys with colourful beads and shawls. He then showered them with rose petals. The event drew huge applause from scores of his supporters, admirers and the curious crowd that stopped to witness the occasion.

On Monday (January 5) The Times of India reported Nagaraj saying that donkeys were the most ignored creatures, which need to be recognised.

Vatal said: "No applications invited, no applications received. And no juries set up to chose the candidates for award. This happens to be the most unique award ceremony in the world."

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.