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Treasury's chief mouser enlisted as a tour guide
Gladstone
Sporting his trademark red polka dot bow tie, Gladstone was fitted with a camera to give the public a unique view of the Treasury.

Gladstone gives a 'cat's eye view' of the department
 
Treasury cat Gladstone has taken on the job of 'tour guide' this week, in addition to his usual mousing duties.

Sporting his trademark red polka dot bow tie, Gladstone was fitted with a camera to give the public a unique view of the Westminster building, ahead of this weekend's Open House London event (15-16 September).

The parliamentary feline can be seen strutting down the department's corridors and peeking into offices, while having doors held open for him.

Gladstone arrived at the Treasury in July from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. A former stray, he was named after the former Prime Minister and chancellor William Ewart Gladstone.

An unknown Treasury source recently revealed that Gladstone has devoured six mice during his time in office. His neighbour Larry, chief mouser for Number 10 Downing Street, has a less impressive mousing record and reportedly took six months to make his first kill.

Scuffles between Larry and the Foreign Office cat Palmerston have been rife in recent months. Parliamentarians hope that Gladstone will play peacemaker.

Image © HM Treasury

 

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Charities' XL bully neutering scheme closes

News Story 1
 A scheme that helped owners of XL bully dogs with the cost of neutering has closed to new applications due to high demand.

The scheme, run by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and Battersea, has helped 1,800 dogs and their owners after XL bullies were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In England and Wales, owners of XL bully dogs which were over one year old on 31 January 2021 have until 30 June 2024 to get their dog neutered. If a dog was between seven months and 12 months old, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If it was under seven months old, owners have until 30 June 2025.

More information can be found on the Defra website. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu cattle outbreak spreads to tenth US state

Cattle in two dairy herds in Iowa have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), making it the tenth state in the USA to be affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease in cattle.

Since March 2024, more than 80 herds across the USA have been affected by the virus and three dairy workers have tested positive. Authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus and farmers have been urged to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.

Mike Naig, Iowa secretary of agriculture, said: "Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa.

"While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry."