Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.