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Pet Blood Bank UK comments on 'dog vampire' reports
"All our wonderful donors live in the UK, and we work closely with their owners to ensure they enjoy the experience of coming to give blood" - PBB UK.

“We pride ourselves on ensuring the welfare of our donors is at the forefront of what we do” - PBB UK.

UK charity Pet Blood Bank UK has responded to an article published in The Telegraph on Saturday (2 July) about a man believed to have killed hundreds of cats and dogs by draining them of their blood to sell to vets across Europe.

Luis Miguel VF, dubbed by reporters as the 'dog vampire', was arrested after Civil Guard Officials shut down his illegal veterinary transfusion business. Officials believe that at least 500 animals died at Mr Miguel's operation in Humanes de Madrid, Spain, which he had been running for almost 20 years. 

In a statement released to reassure users about its work, Katrina Wilkinson, managing director at Pet Blood Bank UK, said: "We were horrified and saddened to read the media coverage coming from Spain on the devastating situation for dog and cat donors there.

"At Pet Blood Bank UK, we pride ourselves on ensuring the welfare of our donors is at the forefront of what we do. All our wonderful donors live in the UK, and we work closely with their owners to ensure they enjoy the experience of coming to give blood to help save the lives of other pets.

"Looking after our donors and maintaining a high standard of animal welfare is at the heart of and intrinsic to what we do.We would like to reassure our veterinary customers that all Pet Blood Bank UK blood products are produced by us and from UK donors.’

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.