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Vigilance urged after cocktail sausages found pierced with nails
The sausages were found in the IP4 area of Ipswich.

Sausages found in the IP4 area of Ipswich 

Dog walkers in Ipswich are being urged to be vigilant after cocktail sausages pierced by nails were found scattered in a street.

Ipswich resident Justin Collins told the East Anglian Daily Times that he saw the sausages in the Caldwell Hall Road, Marlborough Road and Wellesley Road area. He said that there were around seven sausages in total, most of which were tucked by walls where dogs could quickly sniff them out.

“I didn’t think much of the first one, and then I saw the second and the third... I tried to kick them down drains and into the road,” he explained. “There is a lot of dog muck now the snow has melted. Maybe someone has seen that and got annoyed, and chucked sausages out on the street with some nails in them. It’s obviously dogs they are targeting.”

When Mr Collins later returned to the area the sausages had disappeared. His wife immediately took to Facebook to share the news, with a post that quickly went viral.

She wrote: “Along Cauldwell Hall Road / Marlborough Road / Wellsley Road area IP4 whilst walking the school run my husband saw many cocktail sausages scattered around with nails in them! Please share for dog walkers!!”

Ipswich Veterinary Centre told MRCVS Online that they had not yet see any cases involving pierced cocktail sausages.
Suffolk Police also responded to the news, saying that there had not yet been any reports of injuries.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.