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Hero dog awarded posthumous Blue Cross medal
The medal was awarded to Mr Pugh, pictured with Bandit the Newfoundland, by Blue Cross.
Whizz the Newfoundland saved many lives as a rescue dog.

A Newfoundland rescue dog has been awarded a special posthumous Blue Cross medal, to honour his lifetime achievements.

Whizz was recognised at a Blue Cross ceremony on 21 June, where his owner David Pugh accepted the award for his charitable and rescue work.

Whizz was the only canine member of the Swansea Marine Volunteer Service, and the top water dog of the Newfound Friends charity. During his time with the volunteer service, he saved many lives of those struggling at sea and other waters.

He also helped raise over £1.5 million for charities including children’s hospice Little Bridge House, where he provided comfort to the residents.

His life’s work has been immortalised in a true story, ‘Whizz, Zero to Hero’, co-written by Mr Pugh and author Lynn Cavendish. The book follows the journey of Mr Pugh and Whizz, including their bond and adventures together.

The Blue Cross medal was awarded to Mr Pugh, who attended with another Newfoundland called Bandit, by Blue Cross chief executive officer Chris Burghes at their headquarters in Burford, Oxfordshire.

Mr Burghes said: “I was delighted to present a special posthumous Blue Cross medal to this legendary dog. His remarkable achievements make him more than worthy of this one-off award, the third he has received form major animal charities.”

Mr Pugh said: “I’m thrilled that such a fantastic dog that was a big part of my life is getting the credit he truly deserves. Whizz had a very difficult time before I rescued him at about 18 months old.

“I took him in with my other Newfoundland dogs and after a few months of love and affection he came out of his shell and flourished into the hero he was.”

Image © Blue Cross

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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
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."