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Investigation into deaths at Cheltenham Festival
Raya Star at the Kingwell Hurdle, Wincanton, in February last year.
Raya Star at the Kingwell Hurdle, Wincanton, in February last year.

RSPCA to raise course factors with British Horseracing Authority

The deaths of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival, has prompted an investigation by the RSPCA.

The festival saw racecourse veterinary surgeons euthanise Our Conor on day one of the four day festival, after he suffered a serious back injury in a fall.

There were two casualties on day two; Akdam sustained a broken leg, and Stack the Deck a fractured left fore-knee.  Both were euthanised.

The fourth and final day meanwhile saw Raya Star euthanised after suffering a suspected broken back.

"The RSPCA is extremely saddened by the deaths of four horses at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.  Any evidence gathered will be considered as part of a full investigation by the RSPCA’s equine consultant.

"The findings of the investigation, and any possible course-related factors which may have contributed to the deaths, will be raised with the British Horseracing Authority and Cheltenham Racecourse management," said a spokesman for the RSPCA.

More than 450 horse raced over the four day festival.

Image by Carine06

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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. 

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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.