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Mystery surrounding starling deaths in Anglesey
Some 300 dead starlings were found close to Llyn Llywenan, Bodedern, on Tuesday afternoon.
APHA carrying out tests to determine the most likely cause 

Hundreds of starlings have been found dead on an unclassified road in Anglesey, Wales.

According to the North Wales Rural Crime Team, approximately 300 starlings were found close to Llyn Llywenan, Bodedern, on Tuesday (10 Dec) afternoon. Most of the birds were found dead on the road, with many others in the hedges, but none in the surrounding fields.

Officers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) seized some of the starlings for toxicology tests and a postmortem to learn how they died. However, police say they have been left baffled by the incident.

Rob Taylor, team manager for North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team, said: "I have to say at this present time it is an absolute and complete mystery to us. We've done all of the necessary checks and spoken to witnesses and we're trying to get to the bottom of it, however, we are still scratching our heads in regards to it.

"There's a few people who have come forward telling different stories in regards to it and we're just trying to tie up those pieces now to get the accurate facts. We've also sent some of the birds off for a toxicology and postmortem so I'm hoping we can get a result on that pretty soon but I would be very surprised if 300 died in one area without any of them being in the surrounding fields.”

Anyone with information about the incident, which is believed to have occurred at around 3.40 pm on Tuesday, is urged to contact the police.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.