Farming minister says badger cull 'may not happen'

Most farmers in the South West believe TB in cattle
is spread by badgers

19 May 2011

A badger cull to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle may not happen, the farming minister has told the BBC.

Badgers are blamed by many farmers for spreading the disease, resulting in thousands of cows being destroyed.

However, in an interview for the Politics Show South West, minister Jim Paice said there was a "question-mark at this moment" over a cull.

The government confirmed that a decision was still due to be made.

The South West, west of England and Wales are among the areas worst-affected by TB in Britain.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said 6,863 cattle with TB were slaughtered in Devon in 2009, while in Cornwall the figure was 3,545.
'Judicial review'

The government was expected to announce in May whether a cull of badgers would go ahead, but it has been delayed.

Conservative Mr Paice said: "We will be making our announcements about it in the not-too-distant future once we're certain that, if we were to go ahead, we could resist the inevitable judicial review that would come."

When asked if he meant "if" as opposed to "when", Mr Paice replied: "There has to be a question-mark at this moment in time until we make a final decision and an announcement."

The National Farmers' Union approves of a cull, saying it was needed to help farming.

However, animal rights activists have criticised the proposals.

See the full interview with Jim Paice on the Politics Show South West, BBC One South West, Sunday 22 May, 1100 BST.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13462393
(Submitted by Dawn Holloway)

Man tries to board train with pony in Wrexham

18 May 2011

A man has been captured on CCTV trying to board a train accompanied by a pony.

Shocked staff watched as the man tried to get on the train at Wrexham General station with the white pony in tow

After a conductor refused him entry, the man returned to the ticket booth where he tried to buy two tickets - for himself and the animal.

Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) said horses were not permitted on safety grounds. The RSPCA said it was concerned and was viewing the CCTV tapes.

The man tried to travel on Saturday's 1902 BST service to Holyhead on Anglesey with his four-legged companion.

The ATW spokeswoman said: "Arriva Trains Wales allows dogs and small animals to travel on-board trains.

"All animals, except dogs, must be conveyed within a fully enclosed basket or pet carrier with dimensions not exceeding 85 x 60 x 60cm.

'Politely asked to leave'

"Large animals, including horses and ponies, which may pose a risk to the general public are not permitted travel."

She said the man later left the station with the animal, adding: "I'm not aware that anything like this has happened before."

Meanwhile, it later emerged the man and pony turned up at the accident and emergency unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, asking for treatment for the animal from doctor.

A health board spokesman added: "He was politely asked to leave the premises by the Security Guard and duly left, taking the pony with him."

In a statement, the RSPCA said of the station incident it was "not a safe nor acceptable manner in which to transport an equine."

It added: "The pony could have been injured or could have caused injury to passengers.

"Horse owners require passports to move their animals and they should be housed in a safe and secure environment when transported.

"The RSPCA inspectorate are currently viewing the images which have been released to the media."

See video at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13437279
(Submitted by Sherri Joyce)

Georgetown man shoots creature: Chupacabra or hairless bear?

Dave Marquis
Posted: 1/19/2011

SLIDESHOW: Some images of the animal may contain graphic content

GEORGETOWN, CA - To handyman Frank Gallo, the creature that almost attacked him beside his rural trailer several days ago looked like the legendary Chupacabra.

"Scared the hell out of me," Gallo said. "It crouched and faced me and I shot two warning shots at it - 357-magnum, from 20-feet."

The shots seemed to have no effect and Gallo kept firing during the encounter.

"He looked down at where he'd been shot and let out a cry that sounded like, maybe a six year old girl. Ahhhhhh, really loud," Gallo said.

When Gallo saw the animal up close, it was even stranger.

"If you could feel this thing, if you could touch it, it's skin is like an elephant," Gallo said.

The animal had huge claws, canine-like teeth and almost no fur on its body. However, it was the animal's lack of fur that tipped off California Department of Fish and Game Warden Patrick Foy.

"(It's) probably a juvenile bear and has developed some type of an ailment that's caused it's skin to shed all of it's fur," Foy said.

To Gallo, it looked more like, the supposedly, mythical creature known in Mexico as a Chupacabra.

Gallo scoured the Internet, looking for images and information on the Chupacabra.

"Something like this (animal) will hit an animal, knock it down, grab it and suck the blood out of it. That's where the name Chupacabra comes from, it's Spanish for goat-sucker,"Gallo said.

"Could be a fairly new species, you know. Could be a mutation," Gallo said.

However the pictures told Foy it was more likely a bear. Late Tuesday evening, a game warden picked up the animal and confirmed Foy's suspicions that it was a young bear.

It may take several days to determine what caused the bear to lose it's fur.

"Somebody with an untrained eye would look at this and think that this was a pretty creepy-looking character," Foy acknowledged.

Gallo is not convinced.

"Doesn't move anything like a bear, didn't act like a bear. Doesn't make sounds like a bear," Gallo said. "There are skeptics and there are people that are open-minded."

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=118394&catid=2

Georgetown man shoots creature: Chupacabra or hairless bear?

Dave Marquis
Posted: 1/19/2011

SLIDESHOW: Some images of the animal may contain graphic content

GEORGETOWN, CA - To handyman Frank Gallo, the creature that almost attacked him beside his rural trailer several days ago looked like the legendary Chupacabra.

"Scared the hell out of me," Gallo said. "It crouched and faced me and I shot two warning shots at it - 357-magnum, from 20-feet."

The shots seemed to have no effect and Gallo kept firing during the encounter.

"He looked down at where he'd been shot and let out a cry that sounded like, maybe a six year old girl. Ahhhhhh, really loud," Gallo said.

When Gallo saw the animal up close, it was even stranger.

"If you could feel this thing, if you could touch it, it's skin is like an elephant," Gallo said.

The animal had huge claws, canine-like teeth and almost no fur on its body. However, it was the animal's lack of fur that tipped off California Department of Fish and Game Warden Patrick Foy.

"(It's) probably a juvenile bear and has developed some type of an ailment that's caused it's skin to shed all of it's fur," Foy said.

To Gallo, it looked more like, the supposedly, mythical creature known in Mexico as a Chupacabra.

Gallo scoured the Internet, looking for images and information on the Chupacabra.

"Something like this (animal) will hit an animal, knock it down, grab it and suck the blood out of it. That's where the name Chupacabra comes from, it's Spanish for goat-sucker,"Gallo said.

"Could be a fairly new species, you know. Could be a mutation," Gallo said.

However the pictures told Foy it was more likely a bear. Late Tuesday evening, a game warden picked up the animal and confirmed Foy's suspicions that it was a young bear.

It may take several days to determine what caused the bear to lose it's fur.

"Somebody with an untrained eye would look at this and think that this was a pretty creepy-looking character," Foy acknowledged.

Gallo is not convinced.

"Doesn't move anything like a bear, didn't act like a bear. Doesn't make sounds like a bear," Gallo said. "There are skeptics and there are people that are open-minded."

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=118394&catid=2

Australians go hunting after whale boy sighting

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Australian wildlife officers are investigating a claim that a teenage boy rode on the back of a whale - an activity not only against the law but potentially deadly.

The boy reportedly climbed on a southern right whale near the town of Albany. That could mean a fine of A$10,000 (HK$74,500) for harassing wildlife.

An officer said such a whale could be 18-meters long and weigh 80 tonnes, so "if you are in the way of a tail slap or when it breaches you're unlikely to survive."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=6&art_id=103307&sid=29727651&con_type=1&d_str=20100928&fc=1

Australians go hunting after whale boy sighting

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Australian wildlife officers are investigating a claim that a teenage boy rode on the back of a whale - an activity not only against the law but potentially deadly.

The boy reportedly climbed on a southern right whale near the town of Albany. That could mean a fine of A$10,000 (HK$74,500) for harassing wildlife.

An officer said such a whale could be 18-meters long and weigh 80 tonnes, so "if you are in the way of a tail slap or when it breaches you're unlikely to survive."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=6&art_id=103307&sid=29727651&con_type=1&d_str=20100928&fc=1

Egrets shot to safeguard flights

Thursday, September 30, 2010
By Star-Advertiser staff

HILO » The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 80 cattle egrets were shot and killed in Keaukaha to protect planes at nearby Hilo Airport.

The department's state director of wildlife services, Mike Pitzler, said the birds were shot Monday from a boat on Lokoaka Pond.

Pitzler said officials don't want a "miracle on the Hudson River" happening on the Big Island, in reference to a US Airways plane that splashed down in the river in New York last year after a flock of geese disabled the jet.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that it received many calls from people who complained about the noise from the shotgun blasts and about the birds being killed.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/newswatch/20100930_Newswatch.html
(Submitted by Sally Tully-Figueroa)

Egrets shot to safeguard flights

Thursday, September 30, 2010
By Star-Advertiser staff

HILO » The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 80 cattle egrets were shot and killed in Keaukaha to protect planes at nearby Hilo Airport.

The department's state director of wildlife services, Mike Pitzler, said the birds were shot Monday from a boat on Lokoaka Pond.

Pitzler said officials don't want a "miracle on the Hudson River" happening on the Big Island, in reference to a US Airways plane that splashed down in the river in New York last year after a flock of geese disabled the jet.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that it received many calls from people who complained about the noise from the shotgun blasts and about the birds being killed.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/newswatch/20100930_Newswatch.html
(Submitted by Sally Tully-Figueroa)

'Sick prank' leaves cat dyed pink in Swindon

24 September 2010

The RSPCA have criticised a "sick prank" in which a cat had its fur dyed pink and was then thrown over a garden fence in Swindon.

Officers are looking for the owner of the cat, which was found by a man in his garden in Wesley Street on 18 September.

The two-year-old, who has been named Pink, is said to be in good health.

However, vets have not been able to wash the dye out of her fur and she will have to wait for it to grow out.

It is thought the naturally white domestic short-haired cat is either a stray or has been abandoned.

This is because the fur around her neck has a pattern which suggests she has been wearing a collar fairly recently.

'Poor creature'

But the RSPCA said she could be someone's missing pet who was the victim of a prank.

Veterinary surgeon Penny Gillespie, who is caring for Pink at Cheldene Veterinary Centre and Boarding Cattery, said: "We have no idea what the dye is or how long it will last.

"It is clearly not toxic but still unpleasant.

"The person responsible has covered her thoroughly all over but avoided putting any around the animal's eyes and nose.

"Further washing would stress Pink and probably would not help to remove the colour so it will be case of waiting for it to grow out."

RSPCA officer Carl Hone said: "When I got the call I thought perhaps it would be a cat with something natural on their coat or which had rubbed against wet paint but this poor creature has been dyed completely pink, except around her eyes and nose, so she looks like she has a white mask on."

He added: "We are very keen to trace the person responsible for doing this to the cat and I would urge anyone with information, or who knows who she belongs to, to please call the RSPCA."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-11407516

'Sick prank' leaves cat dyed pink in Swindon

24 September 2010

The RSPCA have criticised a "sick prank" in which a cat had its fur dyed pink and was then thrown over a garden fence in Swindon.

Officers are looking for the owner of the cat, which was found by a man in his garden in Wesley Street on 18 September.

The two-year-old, who has been named Pink, is said to be in good health.

However, vets have not been able to wash the dye out of her fur and she will have to wait for it to grow out.

It is thought the naturally white domestic short-haired cat is either a stray or has been abandoned.

This is because the fur around her neck has a pattern which suggests she has been wearing a collar fairly recently.

'Poor creature'

But the RSPCA said she could be someone's missing pet who was the victim of a prank.

Veterinary surgeon Penny Gillespie, who is caring for Pink at Cheldene Veterinary Centre and Boarding Cattery, said: "We have no idea what the dye is or how long it will last.

"It is clearly not toxic but still unpleasant.

"The person responsible has covered her thoroughly all over but avoided putting any around the animal's eyes and nose.

"Further washing would stress Pink and probably would not help to remove the colour so it will be case of waiting for it to grow out."

RSPCA officer Carl Hone said: "When I got the call I thought perhaps it would be a cat with something natural on their coat or which had rubbed against wet paint but this poor creature has been dyed completely pink, except around her eyes and nose, so she looks like she has a white mask on."

He added: "We are very keen to trace the person responsible for doing this to the cat and I would urge anyone with information, or who knows who she belongs to, to please call the RSPCA."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-11407516

Apples 'spiked' with pins and nails eaten by horses

Police are investigating after apples ''spiked'' with pins, screws and nails were left in a paddock and eaten by horses.

Published: 4:38PM BST 20 Sep 2010

At least 15 of the apples are thought to have been planted in the field off Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean, East Sussex, with dressmaker pins and screws up to two inches long poking out of them.

Some of the fruit had already been half-eaten by the animals when they were discovered on Saturday morning.

Their owners now face an anxious wait to see if any of the horses have been harmed, as it could take more than 48 hours before it is known if any of the nine horses in the field have internal injuries.

Sarah Williams, who owns five of the horses kept at Rottingdean Riding Stables, described the incident as ''sick''.

She said: ''I despair that anybody would want to do this to innocent animals. They have eaten some of them but I have no idea how many. It is incredibly dangerous and just so worrying. We are just hoping they will all be all right and unharmed.''

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ''This is an alarming incident. PCSOs are carrying out house-to-house inquiries to see if anyone has seen anything and to check if there is a history of any problems in the area.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 70 999.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8014435/Apples-spiked-with-pins-and-nails-eaten-by-horses.html
(Submitted by Rachel Carthy)

Apples 'spiked' with pins and nails eaten by horses

Police are investigating after apples ''spiked'' with pins, screws and nails were left in a paddock and eaten by horses.

Published: 4:38PM BST 20 Sep 2010

At least 15 of the apples are thought to have been planted in the field off Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean, East Sussex, with dressmaker pins and screws up to two inches long poking out of them.

Some of the fruit had already been half-eaten by the animals when they were discovered on Saturday morning.

Their owners now face an anxious wait to see if any of the horses have been harmed, as it could take more than 48 hours before it is known if any of the nine horses in the field have internal injuries.

Sarah Williams, who owns five of the horses kept at Rottingdean Riding Stables, described the incident as ''sick''.

She said: ''I despair that anybody would want to do this to innocent animals. They have eaten some of them but I have no idea how many. It is incredibly dangerous and just so worrying. We are just hoping they will all be all right and unharmed.''

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ''This is an alarming incident. PCSOs are carrying out house-to-house inquiries to see if anyone has seen anything and to check if there is a history of any problems in the area.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 70 999.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8014435/Apples-spiked-with-pins-and-nails-eaten-by-horses.html
(Submitted by Rachel Carthy)

Kitten survives full machine wash cycle

A Burmese kitten has survived a full machine wash and spin cycle after apparently falling asleep in a pile of dirty linen.

Owner Liz Fear was unaware that 7-month-old Suki was in the front-loading machine until she went to remove the washed clothing last Friday night, the Herald Sun reports.

"I lifted her limp and lifeless body out and she was really cold and colourless and I held her in my arms," she said.

Explaining how the incident occurred, she added: "We just thought she was taking time out somewhere and - doing four loads of washing a day - I just closed the machine door after the kids had put their clothes in and didn't think any more about it."

Liz and her husband Tony rushed Suki to a Fitzroy vet and then to Kensington's Advanced Vet Care for specialist treatment, where she was diagnosed with swelling over the eyes, minor brain trauma, purple gums and membranes, fluid on the brain, water on the lungs, hypothermia and severe diarrhoea due to detergent ingestion.

Clinic owner Sam Snellin said: "It is testament to a cat's abilities to survive against the odds that Suki had probably not been initially expected to survive but pulled through the night.

"By midnight on Friday she was able to sit up, at 5am she was sniffing food and then the next morning, she was walking on her own feet, albeit a bit wobbly."

Suki is expected to make a full recovery and will continue to be monitored.

Earlier this year, 4-month-old Persian kitten Kimba also survived a wash cycle after sneaking into a machine unnoticed.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/news/a278238/kitten-survives-full-machine-wash-cycle.html?rss

Kitten survives full machine wash cycle

A Burmese kitten has survived a full machine wash and spin cycle after apparently falling asleep in a pile of dirty linen.

Owner Liz Fear was unaware that 7-month-old Suki was in the front-loading machine until she went to remove the washed clothing last Friday night, the Herald Sun reports.

"I lifted her limp and lifeless body out and she was really cold and colourless and I held her in my arms," she said.

Explaining how the incident occurred, she added: "We just thought she was taking time out somewhere and - doing four loads of washing a day - I just closed the machine door after the kids had put their clothes in and didn't think any more about it."

Liz and her husband Tony rushed Suki to a Fitzroy vet and then to Kensington's Advanced Vet Care for specialist treatment, where she was diagnosed with swelling over the eyes, minor brain trauma, purple gums and membranes, fluid on the brain, water on the lungs, hypothermia and severe diarrhoea due to detergent ingestion.

Clinic owner Sam Snellin said: "It is testament to a cat's abilities to survive against the odds that Suki had probably not been initially expected to survive but pulled through the night.

"By midnight on Friday she was able to sit up, at 5am she was sniffing food and then the next morning, she was walking on her own feet, albeit a bit wobbly."

Suki is expected to make a full recovery and will continue to be monitored.

Earlier this year, 4-month-old Persian kitten Kimba also survived a wash cycle after sneaking into a machine unnoticed.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/news/a278238/kitten-survives-full-machine-wash-cycle.html?rss

Man eats poisonous snake for bet

15 July 2010, 10:19

An Indian man has narrowly avoided death after swallowing a poisonous snake in a wager for just over £1.

Zaver Rathod had killed the reptile moments earlier after it bit one of his friends.

He then ate the raw snake for a 100 rupee (£1.39) bet after being encouraged by work colleagues, reports The Times of India.

Rathod was soon rushed to hospital suffering with severe nausea and vomiting.

Had the snake's venom entered the 35-year-old's blood stream, he would almost certainly have died, but doctors successfully removed the contents of his stomach in time.

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Man_eats_poisonous_snake_for_bet

Man Unhurt After Sneaking Into Bear Exhibit At Zoo

Sep 27, 2009

A man snuck into the grizzly bear exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo Saturday but was rescued immediately afterward without incident, authorities said.

Reporter: CNN

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- A man snuck into the grizzly bear exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo Saturday but was rescued immediately afterward without incident, authorities said.

A zoo visitor alerted the facility's staff about the 27-year-old man's presence inside the enclosure, said spokeswoman Gwendolyn Tornatore.

Staffers fired a warning shot to keep the two bears away from the man, before securing them inside their dens, Tornatore said in a statement.

The man, who was not identified, was conscious but unresponsive when he was rescued. He did not show any apparent signs of injury, Tornatore said.

It was not clear how the man got inside the enclosure, or what prompted him.

The man has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing and harassing an animal in captivity, said CNN affiliate KRON-TV. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for an evaluation.

The zoo made international headlines on Christmas Day in 2007 when a Siberian tiger apparently scaled a 12-and-a-half-foot wall surrounding its enclosure, killing a 17-year-old man and wounding two of his friends.

Following the incident, the zoo overhauled its safety procedures. Construction crews raised the walls of the enclosure to help keep the big cats in.

The one-acre Hearst Grizzly Gulch at the zoo is home to its two female grizzly bears, Kachina and Kiona. It is equipped with a 20,000-gallon pool, herb garden, and a waterfall, according to the zoo's Web site.

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/62233352.html

Man Unhurt After Sneaking Into Bear Exhibit At Zoo

Sep 27, 2009

A man snuck into the grizzly bear exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo Saturday but was rescued immediately afterward without incident, authorities said.

Reporter: CNN

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- A man snuck into the grizzly bear exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo Saturday but was rescued immediately afterward without incident, authorities said.

A zoo visitor alerted the facility's staff about the 27-year-old man's presence inside the enclosure, said spokeswoman Gwendolyn Tornatore.

Staffers fired a warning shot to keep the two bears away from the man, before securing them inside their dens, Tornatore said in a statement.

The man, who was not identified, was conscious but unresponsive when he was rescued. He did not show any apparent signs of injury, Tornatore said.

It was not clear how the man got inside the enclosure, or what prompted him.

The man has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing and harassing an animal in captivity, said CNN affiliate KRON-TV. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for an evaluation.

The zoo made international headlines on Christmas Day in 2007 when a Siberian tiger apparently scaled a 12-and-a-half-foot wall surrounding its enclosure, killing a 17-year-old man and wounding two of his friends.

Following the incident, the zoo overhauled its safety procedures. Construction crews raised the walls of the enclosure to help keep the big cats in.

The one-acre Hearst Grizzly Gulch at the zoo is home to its two female grizzly bears, Kachina and Kiona. It is equipped with a 20,000-gallon pool, herb garden, and a waterfall, according to the zoo's Web site.

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/62233352.html