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Most drivers would break law if they hit a dog, research finds
Blue Cross urges road users and pet owners to 'Paws, Prevent and Protect'.
Eighty-six per cent would not contact the police.

A new survey from Blue Cross has revealed that 86 per cent of drivers would break the law after hitting a dog by not informing the police.

It has now launched its ‘Blue Cross Code’ campaign, which encourages drivers and pet owners to act cautiously when using the roads this winter.

The charity’s research was motivated by estimations that 80,000 dogs and 230,000 cats are hit by a car on UK roads each year. Blue Cross sought to understand how drivers respond to these instances.

The survey revealed that 54 per cent of drivers would stop their vehicle and take a wounded dog to a veterinary practice, while 16 per cent said they would knock on nearby doors to find the dog’s owner.

However, 16 per cent of drivers admitted that they would prioritise their journey if they hit a dog, increasing to 35 per cent of young drivers.

In all of these cases, the driver would be breaking UK law by not contacting the police after hitting a dog. The same law does not apply to cats.

Inspired by the famous 1970s Green Cross Code campaign, the Blue Cross has now created its own ‘Blue Cross Code’. The safety initiative encourages both drivers and pet owners to be aware of the risks on the road in the winter with three guiding principles: Paws, Prevent and Protect.

Firstly, people should ‘paws’ – ‘stop, look and think’. They need to be aware of who they are sharing the road with.

Dogs should be kept on leads when they are walked near roads and kept on the inside of the pavement. Road users should drive slowly and be aware of any animals on the road.

The second principle is ‘prevent’, which advises pet owners to consider what they can do to prevent their pet coming to danger. Motorists should check there are no cats hiding underneath their vehicle when they start their journey.

Finally, Blue Cross asks that pet owners and motorists ‘protect’ the wellbeing of animals by thinking about what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome in the event of an accident.

If a motorist does hit a dog, it is a legal requirement that they contact the police in the first instance. They can then cover the pet and take them to the nearest veterinary practice.

Paul Manktelow, chief veterinary surgeon at Blue Cross, said: “As the clocks go back and those longer, darker winter nights draw in, the safety of all road users is something everyone should consider before they or their four-legged friend leaves the house.
 
“So let’s all follow the code’s three simple rules of Paws, Prevent and Protect - and hopefully we’ll have no heartbreaks this winter.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.