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Border collie receives national devotion award
Val and Bonnie with PDSA senior vet Robert Newcombe.

Eight-year-old Bonnie saved her stranded owner from undergrowth 

A border collie that saved her stranded owner from being trapped in thick undergrowth has been awarded for her actions.

Val Smith was walking her dog, Bonnie, when she took a few wrong turns and found herself overwhelmed by brambles and weeds. Realising that Val couldn’t move, eight-year-old Bonnie fled to a nearby school to fetch help.

“I couldn’t move at all and planned to shout for help when the school nearby finished and the parents began gathering near the gates,” explained Val. “While I sat there, I worried that I would never see Bonnie again.”

Teaching assistants Veronica Ffoulkes and Becky Zessimides from Widey Court Primary School were out on their lunch break when they encountered Bonnie.

“Bonnie was distressed and trying to get our attention. She circled us, barking and looking very fractious,” said Veronica. “Becky has a dog and could tell that something was wrong so she bent down, fussed Bonnie and said ‘show me’.

“Bonnie darted off and we chased after her into the woods. We followed Bonnie for some time until we saw Snoopy at the bottom of a bank. We climbed up into the thick woodland, where we found Val.”

Val said: “The two ladies helped me up and gave me a big hug, as they could see how frightened I was. If it weren’t for Bonnie, goodness knows how long I’d have been stuck there.”

Bonnie has now been given a prestigious PDSA Commendation award for her actions and loyalty to her owner. The award recognises the outstanding devotion that animals display and celebrate the incredible way they enrich our lives.

Bonnie received her award at a special ceremony at the charity’s Pet Hospital, The Gwen Rees Centre, which Val regularly attends.

PDSA senior vet Robert Newcombe, who made the presentation to Bonnie, said: “At PDSA, we know only too well the amazing impact that pets have on our lives.

“Bonnie was a true hero that day, coming to Val’s aid when she had nobody else to turn to. Her actions deserve special recognition and I am thrilled to present Bonnie with PDSA’s prestigious Commendation award.”

Image (C) PDSA

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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.