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RSPCA reports concern over knife crime

Following recent news of a rise in knife crime on Britain’s streets, the RSPCA is raising awareness of high levels of these crimes against animals.

Over the past three years, the charity said it has received around 420 calls about animals injured by knives - an average of three a week.

Assistant director to the inspectorate, Dermot Murphy, said: “The country has been horrified by the tragic toll that knife crime is having on young people in our towns and cities. Sadly, we are seeing far too many shocking incidents of blades also being used on animals. These figures are a shocking representation of our times.”

The charity launched its education and prevention programme Generation Kind last year, in a bid to promote compassion and empathy for animals.

Mr Murphy added: “We hope that by focusing on behaviour change for the next generation we will be able to see a change in the way we as a society treat animals. Sadly, violent behaviour towards animals can go hand in hand with brutal behaviour towards other people and we hope our education programme can help promote a society which is kinder to animals and each other.”

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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.