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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th November 2018
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

Staffy rehomed as prison search dog
Cookie is in training with HMP Six Counties Search Team.

Cookie becomes first of her breed to take on such an important job 

A Staffordshire bull terrier has been given a new lease of life helping to detect drugs that are prevalent in the prison system.

One-year-old Cookie spent more than 50 days at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home before HMP Six Counties Search Team decided to take her on. With her high energy levels and inquisitive nature, she is now in training and is the first of her breed to take on such an important job.

While at Battersea, it was Cookie’s exceptional agility skills and love for games that gave rise to the idea she could make an exceptional working dog. Armed with a tennis ball - Cookie’s favourite toy - Battersea’s working dogs manager Jeff Moore set to work on basic training.

Some of this training was shown on Wednesday’s episode of Paul O’ Grady’s: For the Love of Dogs, where Cookie could be seen sniffing out bits of tennis ball hidden in rooms and vehicles.

“From her first session, Cookie showed great potential, bearing in mind she’d never done this type of sniffer training beforehand, so we were really hopeful that she’d be able to find a working home that would be well suited to her needs,” explained Jeff. “She’s very sociable, clever and a very high energy dog and I knew in the right setting she could channel all that into doing something great.”

Battersea was delighted when HMP Six Counties Search Team decided to adopt Cookie and for the past 12 weeks, she has been learning the ropes with head trainer, Mel Barker.

“Cookie is currently still in training as it takes months to train up a dog ready for work, but she is doing really well,” said Mel. “She has been training in areas that will assist in reaching her potential and will be fully assessed. Hopefully, she will continue to develop and become an operational search dog.”

Jeff added that Cookie is a prime example of how Staffordshire bull terriers should never be judged on their looks alone.

“Cookie is smart and loves the mental and physical stimulation of playing search games and the interaction of working with the trainers,” he said. “We hope that Cookie will pave the way for many other Staffies to become successful search dogs.”

Image (C) Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

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

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.