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Calls to extend laws on air gun ownership
Chos
Chaos has only ventured outside once since her attack.

Majority of attacks occur in England and Wales

A major campaign on air guns has been launched by Cats Protection to bring England and Wales in line with the rest of the UK.

According to the charity, a lack of UK-wide regulation means that the vast majority of airgun attacks (90 per cent) occur in England and Wales.

Since 2004, anyone who buys owns or uses an air gun in Northern Ireland must have a license to do so. Scotland implemented similar legislation earlier this year.

Now Cats Protection has launched an online petition, urging the government to bring in regulation to the rest of the UK.

“Cats and other animals in England and Wales are hugely vulnerable to being the victim of an air gun attack because there is nothing to stop air guns falling into the wrong hands,” said Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s advocacy manager.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have already taken action to address this, having brought in the strict regulations to regulate who can own such deadly weapons. Cats Protection believes it’s time the rest of the UK caught up and cat owners and communities in England and Wales can be afforded with the same peace of mind.”

In 2016, more than 200 incidents of cats were reportedly shot by an air gun. Crucially 90 per cent of these attacks occurred in England and Wales.

Cats Protection claim that around half of all cats hit by an air weapon die as a result of their injuries. Those that do survive endure considerable suffering and can be left with life-changing injuries.

One cat that is still reeling from an air gun attack is Choas. In September 2016, Chaos was shot between her eyes whilst out and about in Neath, South Wales. The pellet just missed her brain and lodged in the muscle between her spine and gullet, where it remains.

The bullet shattered the bones in chaos’ nose, making her unable to breathe except through her mouth. This prevented her from eating and drinking.

Chaos was fitted with a feeding tube and she is now able to eat and drink again. But she has only ventured outside once since her attack and was spooked by the lights outside. Cats Protection says this supports the vet’s theory that a light was shone in her face to temporarily blind her before being shot.

To watch Cats Protection's campaign video and to find out more about the campaign, visit www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition.

Image (C) Cats Protection

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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.