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MPs to debate 'Finn's law' after police dog attacked
finn
Finn suffered stab wounds to the head and chest during pursuit of a suspect.

Petition calls for equal status for police animals and officers

MPs are set to debate a petition calling for police dogs and horses to be given the same status as human police officers when they are injured in the line of duty. The petition has been signed more than 120,000 times.

Last month, police dog Finn and his handler PC Dave Wardell suffered stab wounds in Stevenage while they chased a suspect in the early hours on 5 October. PC Wardell received an injury to the hand, while Finn suffered multiple knife injuries to his head and chest, involving several vital organs.

After undergoing major emergency surgery, Finn was transferred to intensive care for recovery. He is currently recovering at home and said to be doing well.

A 16-year-old male was charged with ABH assault on PC Wardell and criminal damage relating to Finn, among other charges.

'Finn's Law' campaigners want to see similar charges for those who attack police dogs and human police officers.

The petition, which was set up on the government's petition site, calls for police animals to 'be given protection that reflects their status if assaulted in the line of duty'. As it has now been signed by more than 100,000 people, it will be debated in parliament on 14 November.

Mark Tasker from the campaign told BBC News: "We are absolutely elated, we always knew this was something that would capture the public's imagination and it seems that parliament recognises just how offensive it is to classify the killing or serious attack on a police dog or horse as criminal damage."

Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.