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Rottweiler cross crowned Best Battersea Dog
Barney
Barney was so terrified of people who would cower at the back of his kennel.

Formerly terrified of people, Barney has overcome his fears with a loving new family

After an unlucky start in life, Rottweiler cross Barney has become this year's Best Battersea Dog. Once petrified of strangers, the loveable cross is now brimming with confidence.

Barney first arrived at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011. He was so terrified of new people that he would cower in the back of his kennel, too frightened to go anywhere near people, particularly men.

Known at the time as Benny, he appeared on the hit ITV show, Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs, and would even hide away from Paul himself.

Barney was initially rehomed but then brought back two days later as his owners decided he was too big for their home.

Battersea staff had to work hard to gain his trust and eventually they found him a new home with the perfect owners, the Tuckwell family from Welling in Kent.

Today, thanks to the patience and love of both Battersea staff and his new family, Barney is a different dog.

Barney's owner Ian says: "I can’t put it into words how happy I’m feeling about Barney winning Best Battersea Dog. He was just so terrified of the world and now he’s a different dog to the one I first met in kennels. He’s come such a long way and I’m really proud of him. He truly is a Battersea success story.

Barney stole the hearts of the judges at the charity's twentieth annual reunion fun day this month and is now an "Ambassadog", taking his place with previous winners of the Best Battersea Dog title.

Rob Young, Battersea's head of rehoming, said: "A dog like Barney really deserves this recognition as he’s made such a huge transformation from the dog we first knew in our kennels.

"t just shows you that with some training and a lot of love, a dog can change from being really scared to self-assured. Everyone at Battersea is so proud of Barney and his family, they’ve done such an incredible job with him."

Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

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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.