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US Secret Service dog gets animal OBE
“Hurricane was such a legend within the Service. He loved working and his talent for the job impressed me every single day."
Honour recognises dog’s courage in protecting the president

A US Secret Service dog has been awarded the PDSA Order of Merit for his courage in protecting the president during a security breach at the White House.

Special operations dog Hurricane is the first animal outside the UK to receive the award, which is known as the animal’s OBE.

On 22 October 2014, Hurricane was on duty at the White House when a man vaulted the fence and sprinted across the lawn, towards the area where President Obama and his family were residing.

Initial attempts by the Secret Service canine team to stop the intruder were unsuccessful. Seeing the first struggle, Officer Marshall Mirarchi gave the command to Hurricane, who is famed within his unit for outstanding drive, determination and courage. He made contact with the suspect, intending the push him back to the perimeter fence.

The ensuing struggle saw Hurricane kicked, punched and swung through the air, but the dog kept his jaw locked onto the suspect’s arm. Finally, he grounded the intruder so that armed forces could take him into custody.

Hurricane will officially receive his medal from the PDSA this October, during a special ceremony in London.

Officer Mirarchi worked with Hurricane for four years and adopted him when he retired on medical grounds in 2016.

Commenting on his award he said: “Hurricane was such a legend within the Service. He loved working and his talent for the job impressed me every single day. That night, he stepped up and delivered under circumstances that no amount of training could prepare him for. I have never witnessed such violence toward a dog before but it didn’t stop him from doing his job.
 
“I am so proud of him and extremely thankful to PDSA for honouring his service and actions in this way. We are very excited to visit London – Hurricane will be given the full VIP treatment, just as he deserves.”  

Images courtesy of PDSA
 

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.