Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Sheep attacks: zero tolerance 'the only answer'
sheep
According to the rural crime team, using specially collated data has led to 'significant' drops in the number of rural incidents.

North Wales Police gather daily statistics to tackle rural crime

Police in North Wales say a 'zero tolerance' approach is the only way to deal with sheep worrying. Methods employed by the force are said to have brought about a 'significant' drop in all rural incidents, including sheep attacks.

PC Dave Allen, from the North Wales Police rural crime team (RCT), said taking this tough stance with irresponsible dog owners was "the only answer" and had led to court cases and heavy fines. In one recent case, a dog owner lost an appeal against the euthanasia of both her dogs following an incident in Flintshire.

"It’s sad when dogs have to be destroyed through a court order," he added, "but we have found time and time again that once a dog attacks sheep it will attack again if given the chance."

In order to identify the rural crime issues of real concern, the RCT began gathering daily statistics on a number of different incidents, including sheep worrying.

According to the team, this specially collated data has revealed 'the true extent of dog attacks on sheep in North Wales' and led to 'significant' drops in the number of rural incidents - including sheep attacks.

"At an early stage we identified that this was a problem for our farming communities, with many incidents going unreported and farmers often losing thousands of pounds, which is clearly unacceptable," said PC Allen.

In the past 12 months, the analysis shows there was an average of nine attacks on sheep a month.

In total, 108 separate incidents were recorded, most of which involved more than one sheep. In one instance, more than 30 sheep were attacked by a dog in Buckley.

Gwynedd alone had 27 recorded incidents - the highest number in North Wales and three times that of the Wrexham county, which had 10.

Incidentally, Friday was found to be the most likely day for incidents to occur though it is not clear why.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.