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Vet and rugby legend dies aged 93
“Everyone involved with the Barbarians will miss Micky greatly."
Tributes paid to Micky Steele-Bodger 

Micky Steele-Bodger, a veterinary surgeon and rugby legend has died at the age of 93, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the veterinary profession and rugby community alike.

Following in his father and brother’s footsteps, both of whom were past BVA presidents, Micky qualified as a vet from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

His career as a rugby player was cut short after a knee injury at the age of 24, by which time he had already won nine caps in the back row for England, as well as representing Cambridge University, Edinburgh University, Harlequins and the Barbarians.

He joined the Barbarians committee in 1946, which marked the beginning of his 73-year association with the club. He was its president for 31 years and also went on to become a selector for England and the British and Irish Lions; president of the Rugby Football Union and chairman of the International Rugby Board.

In 1990, he was appointed a CBE for services to the sport.

Barbarians FC described him as “relentless and seemingly unstoppable… a lion-hearted rugby champion”.

Honorary secretary Chris Maidment said: “Everyone involved with the Barbarians will miss Micky greatly and the huge number of tributes being paid throughout the rugby world are a testament to his dedication to the game and the way it should be played.”

A spokesperson from the British Veterinary Association added: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this well-loved vet and rugby legend. Micky and his family have made enormous contributions to the veterinary profession, and we are proud to have had a close association with them spanning eight decades.

“His father Harry and brother Alasdair are both BVA past presidents, and Micky was a Trustee of the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship set up in his father’s memory. Micky will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of us at BVA.”

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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."