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BVA condemns "heart-breaking" figures for unclaimed dogs
Puppy in cage
Almost 400 abandoned dogs have been put down in the past four years.
One in nine dogs found by local authorities in Scotland are put down if not claimed

The BVA has condemned figures released by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie that reveal one in nine dogs found by local authorities in Scotland are put down if not claimed.

The BVA are now calling for microchipping to be introduced to Scotland as a matter of urgency to help lost pets to be reunited with their owners.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats obtained the figures through a freedom of information request. The figures reveal that local authorities have found over 12,500 lost or abandoned dogs in the past four years. Of these, over 3,200 were re-homed and almost 400 were put down.

BVA President John Blackwell said: “The euthanasia of healthy dogs is heart-breaking and unfortunate. Although we recognise the pressure on local authorities’ resources, every step should be taken to reunite pets with owners and to re-home healthy animals. Euthanasia should not be a routine way of processing abandoned animals.

“We are pleased to see that almost 8,000 dogs were reunited with their owners last year and we suspect that many of these reunions would be due to the fact that owners had their pets microchipped. The Scottish government should introduce compulsory microchipping as a matter of urgency, such as that being introduced in 2015 and 2016 in Wales and England. Owners should ensure that their contact details are always kept up to date and this allows loved pets to be traced back to them and reunited. This can only be a good thing for animals, owners and wider society.”

Ronnie Soutar BVA Scottish Branch President said: “I know from working and living in Scotland how dear dogs are to the people of this nation and I will not be alone in being dismayed by these figures released today. We all need to work together – owners, the Scottish government, local authorities and animal welfare groups – to make sure how we treat these unclaimed dogs is a true reflection of Scotland’s commitment to animal welfare.”

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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.