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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th October 2017
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Labrador named Westminster Dog of the Year
“I am delighted to have won Westminster Dog of the Year with my terrific pooch Rocky."
Competition focuses on training and behaviour

The coveted ‘Westminster Dog of the Year’ title has this year been given to Labrador Rocky, who belongs to Labour MP Tracy Brabin.

Alongside his owner, the seven-year-old dog canvassed for votes from the public before meeting a panel of judges. This year’s competition, organised by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, focused on the importance of training and behaviour, and the life skills these bring to owners and dogs.

Commenting on their win, Tracy Brabin said: “I am delighted to have won Westminster Dog of the Year with my terrific pooch Rocky. He had such a fantastic day, meeting all the other ‘paw-litical’ candidates and I’m really thrilled that he managed to wag his way to victory. I am very proud that he has been part of an event that promotes responsible dog ownership.”

Dogs Trust chairman Graeme Robertson, added: “We are thrilled with the number of MPs and commendable canines who competed for the title of Westminster Dog of the Year 2017.

"It’s always wonderful to see the bond between dogs and their owners, and Rocky and Tracy really stood out for this very reason, not to mention their ‘paw-litical’ prowess. I would like to thank the MPs and their devoted dogs for taking part.”

Leading the opposition in second place was beagle Bonnie, who is owned by Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, and in third place, cockapoo Ted, owned by Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke.

In addition to these awards, the competition also had a winner chosen by the public vote alone. This year’s ‘top dogs’ were Boomer and Corona, both border collies owner by Alex Norris, the MP for Nottingham North.

Image © Dogs Trust

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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.