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UAE vet suspended by FEI
endurance
An investigation was recently launched into duplicate results from endurance events in the UAE. (stock photo)

Suspension imposed for non-compliance with rules

A vet from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been suspended as an FEI official for failure to comply with rules and regulations.

Dr Hallvard Sommerseth was head of the veterinary department at the UAE Equestrian Federation (EEF). His provisional suspension comes into immediate effect and will last for 'an indeterminate period'.

As a result, he will not be able to take part in or be involved with the organisation of any FEI events or competitions, or any event under the jurisdiction of a national federation.

The FEI, which is the international governing body for equestrian sport, says the suspension was imposed due to Dr Sommerseth's 'consistent failure' to comply with FEI rules and regulations over a period of several years.

An investigation was recently launched into a number of duplicate results submitted to the FEI from endurance events in the UAE.

FEI's secretary general, Sabrina Zeender, said that while acting as an FEI official at a number of endurance events from April 2012-February 2014, Dr Sommerseth failed in his role as a technical delegate by allowing the events to take place without accurate timing systems.

This failure is also said to have been a contributory factor in duplicate results being submitted to FEI.

According to a report by the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit, timing systems were not used at the events and accurate timings were not taken of each competitor's phases. Instead, timings were copied from other events.

All these events and duplicate results will be deleted. Any horse/rider combination that used these results to qualify for subsequent events will be disqualified.

The EEF's provisional suspension from the sport of endurance was recently lifted after it signed an agreement with the FEI, in which it pledges to ensure horse welfare will be respected and rules and regulations strictly enforced at all endurance events.

In addition, EEF agreed that any sanctions imposed by the FEI would be implemented and enforced on a national level.

Image © olgaru79/Shutterstock.com

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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.