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Charity dog walk seeks to break record
Animal welfare activist Jodie Kidd will be walking Sausage the Dachshund at Marble Hill House.

Dachshunds will gather for 'The Largest Dachshund Dog Walk'.

A charity dog walk is hoping to make it into the Guinness World Records, as they bring Dachshunds together to achieve ‘The Largest Dachshund Dog Walk’.

The Agria Dog Walk UK will need to see at least 250 Dachshunds join them at Marble Hill House in London for their walk on Saturday, 18 May to make the record.

Among the fundraising dog-walkers will be Jodie Kidd, a TV personality and animal welfare activist who will be hitting the trail with her Dachshund, Sausage. The charity is calling for Dachshund owners across the country to join Ms Kidd for the leisurely walk.

The Dachshund record attempt is the newest addition to the Dog Walk, as Agria Dog Walk UK marks five years of the charity event.

However the charity dog walk is not exclusive to Dachshunds. Owners of dogs of any breed are invited to take part across three English Heritage Sites across the UK, as participants raise vital funds for animal rescue charities.

For those who are unable to make it to Marble Hill House, there will be official dog walks taking place at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland. Walkers are also encouraged to walk at other English Heritage Sites, to raise much needed funds.

Alternatively, if they are unable to attend any of the sites, they can participate online. If they are walking in a local area, dog walkers can share a photo of their dog online, tag Agria Pet Insurance, and use the hashtag #AgriaDogWalk2024.

The pet insurer has pledged to donate £5 for every dog that joins the walk across the country.

Last year the Dog Walk, which is supported by English Heritage’s Dog-Friendly Days Out and the Kennel Club, raised over £18,500 for abandoned pets.

Vicki Wentworth, chief executive officer at Agria Pet Insurance, said: “We’re so excited about this year’s event – especially as we attempt a Guinness World Records title!

“Through our close work in the rehoming sector, we see every day how increasingly tough it is for animal rescues, so raising money for them with the Agria Dog Walk means the world to us."

For more information about taking part, visit its website.
 
Dog walkers can sign up for free at Marble Hill House, or pre-book tickets for Belsay Hall and Kenilworth Castle using an exclusive 25 per cent discount.

English Heritage members can take part for free at any site.

Image © Agria Pet Insurance and Shutterstock

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.