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Arsenal owner drops plans to broadcast blood sports
(he channel was due to broadcast regular hunting shows that depict and celebrate the killing of animals, including lions and elephants.
TV channel urged to remove content ‘in light of public interest’

Arsenal FC owner Stan Kroenke has instructed his controversial television channel, My Outdoor TV (MOTV), to remove all content containing blood sports.

In a statement, MOTV confirmed that Kroenke has asked the TV channel’s owners to “remove all content related to those animals in light of public interest.”

The news has been welcomed by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), which led a public outcry against the channel.

Philippa King, the organisation’s chief operating officer, said: “I think Arsenal have just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Launching a TV channel which glorifies blood sports was never going to be a good idea in a nation of animal lovers. We asked Mr Kroenke to cancel his plan to show trophy hunting and that’s what he has done, so we thank him for it.”

Earlier this week, Kroenke, a major shareholder in Arsenal FC, announced the launch of a TV channel dedicated to blood sports. The channel was due to broadcast regular hunting shows that depict and celebrate the killing of animals, including lions and elephants.

In response to the announcement, some 69,000 people signed a petition calling on the club’s key sponsors to publicly condemn Kroenke’s actions.

Created by long-term Arsenal fan Rhys Brown, the petition also demanded a meeting between the Arsenal board, key sponsors, leading animal rights charities and representatives of the international fan bases.

Ms.King continued: “Whether the decision was taken because his [Kroenke’s] eyes were opened to the suffering of animals involved in trophy hunting, or because he realised it was a PR disaster for Arsenal football club, I don’t know.

“Hopefully it was the former – the world is turning against cruel sports like trophy hunting, fox hunting and ‘game’ bird shooting, so we hope Stan joins the majority in focussing on caring for and protecting precious species like lions and elephants and stops indulging the bloodthirsty minority who get their kicks from killing them.” 

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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.