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Study sheds light on mutilation of working donkeys
Researchers said the data can be used to create future educational interventions to reduce mutilation practices.(Stock photo)
Mutilation accounted for 62 per cent of all wounds in study population 

Urgent outreach work is needed to tackle the deliberate mutilation of working donkeys in India, scientists have said.

A new study published in Vet Record suggests mutilation by owners - including nose splitting, ear splitting and branding - were the most common skin wound, accounting for more than 62 per cent of all wounds.

Researchers assessed the health and welfare of 582 working donkeys from several communities that were part of a welfare initiative run by the Worldwide Veterinary Service in Tamil Nadu, India. They used data collected using a smartphone app between October 2016 and July 2017.

Just under 300 wounds were found in 227 donkeys, representing 39 per cent of the population.

Poorly fitting harnesses and hobbles were another common cause of injury.

Researchers said the data can be used to create future educational interventions to reduce mutilation practices. Outreach initiatives are urgently needed to improve donkey welfare in these regions.

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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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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.