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Dog owners complain over promotional chocolate
A number of dogs ate the free Green & Black’s chocolate bar that was sent in the post. (stock photo)
Free bar sent out to Sainsbury’s customers

Pet owners have complained to Sainsbury’s after some dogs ate a free Green & Black’s chocolate bar that was sent in the post to reward card holders.

The supermarket chain said it is investigating the situation “as a matter of urgency”. It has so far received five complaints, but these have not all been verified.

Dog owner Sarah Hayward rushed her cocker spaniel Jarvis to the vet after he ate the promotional chocolate while she was at work.

“My parents, who came home to let the dogs out at lunchtime, found the empty packet on his bed - and obviously they were trying to work out what it was initially,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They realised it was chocolate and the second they called the vet they were told to rush him straight in. He was put on various drips to flush fluids down him to try and induce him to be sick.”

Sammy Taylor, from Kent, said on Facebook that she was “furious” with Sainsbury’s after her puppy ate the chocolate and had to receive veterinary treatment.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re extremely sorry for the distress this has caused. We know chocolate is unsafe for pets to eat and that’s why we had measures in place to safeguard against pet owners receiving this promotion. We are urgently investigating what went wrong.”

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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.