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Scorpion halts Edinburgh-bound train
A passenger train was stopped after the discovery of a live scorpion.
Arachnid scuttled out of a passenger’s bag

A passenger train travelling from London to Edinburgh had to be halted by police following the discovery of a live scorpion.

According to BBC News, the train was stopped at Peterborough at approximately 3pm on New Year’s day, after the arachnid scuttled its way out of a passenger’s bag.

Thankfully, British Transport Police officers were on hand to help, scooping the scorpion into an empty plastic tub and transporting it to a local exotics refuge.

“Happy to confirm we attended and quickly took the sting out of the situation!” they later tweeted.

Staff at the Exotic Pet Refuge in Deeping St James told BBC News that identifying the species of the scorpion might be difficult.

"I was told the woman whose bag it came out of had recently come back from Guatemala - and there are 100 different kinds of scorpion there," explained refuge centre owner Pam Mansfield.

"It's only small - about three-quarters of an inch - and it's jet black with very fine little pincers.

"Usually, the smaller they are, the deadlier they are - so it could be quite a nasty piece of work. But we'll treat it with care."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.