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Search and rescue dog honoured for outstanding devotion
The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset.

Border collie Charlie receives PDSA Order of Merit

A Dorset search and rescue dog, who amassed thousands of search hours during his 10-year career, has been presented with the PDSA Order of Merit, also known as the ‘animal’s OBE’.

Border collie Charlie, together with his volunteer handler Matt Cooke, posthumously received the honour for outstanding devotion to duty and service to society.

Charlied retired in 2015, enjoying a full and happy retirement until he passed away in December 2017. Among his most notable work includes locating a murder victim buried in a large field, which led to a conviction. 

Charlie also located an elderly lady who had been missing for 14 hours in freezing temperatures. Police and ambulance crews reported that had Charlie not found her when he did, she wouldn't have survived.

The medal was presented to Charlie’s colleague - Hampshire search and rescue dog Zak - at Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, on Tuesday (15 October). Charlie
is the 32nd recipient of the award since its institution in 2014.

PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We are pleased to announce Charlie as the latest recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit. Although we’re saddened that he was unable to receive his honour during his lifetime, we hope that Matt and his colleagues at Dorset Search Dogs see it as a fitting tribute to his incredible career.
 
“Our Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society. Charlie’s long and dedicated career epitomises the reason we must continue our Founder’s tradition of honouring the contribution animals make to our lives.
 
“The PDSA Order of Merit was introduced to recognise animals for their exceptional devotion to duty and service to society. Charlie was a truly exceptional animal and an incredibly worthy recipient of this medal.”

Image (C) PDSA.

 

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Charities' XL bully neutering scheme closes

News Story 1
 A scheme that helped owners of XL bully dogs with the cost of neutering has closed to new applications due to high demand.

The scheme, run by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and Battersea, has helped 1,800 dogs and their owners after XL bullies were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In England and Wales, owners of XL bully dogs which were over one year old on 31 January 2021 have until 30 June 2024 to get their dog neutered. If a dog was between seven months and 12 months old, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If it was under seven months old, owners have until 30 June 2025.

More information can be found on the Defra website. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu cattle outbreak spreads to tenth US state

Cattle in two dairy herds in Iowa have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), making it the tenth state in the USA to be affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease in cattle.

Since March 2024, more than 80 herds across the USA have been affected by the virus and three dairy workers have tested positive. Authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus and farmers have been urged to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.

Mike Naig, Iowa secretary of agriculture, said: "Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa.

"While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry."