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Pug seized and sold on eBay by officials in German town
Edda (not pictured) was seized and sold by city officials after her owners failed to pay taxes.
Dog taken from family who had not paid taxes 

A town in Germany has come under fierce criticism after officials seized a family’s pet pug and sold it on eBay, in a row over unpaid taxes.

German media reports suggest that officials in the town of Ahlen listed the dog, Edda (not pictured), on eBay for €750.

Edda’s new owner, a police officer named Michaela Jordan, told the Ahlener Tageblatt newspaper that the dog has medical problems that were not disclosed. Edda has undergone four operations since changing owners, including emergency surgery over Christmas.

Jordan is now seeking recompense for the original purchase price of the dog and medical bills of €1800.

A spokesman for the city, Frank Merschhaus, is quoted by BBC News as saying that the seizure of the dog was legal, but the incident will be fully investigated, as would the use of a private eBay account for selling a living creature.

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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. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."