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First prosecution made under Finn’s Law
Finn’s Law recognises police dogs as public servants, rather than police property (Stock photo).

Man jailed for 21 months for attacks on police dog and officers

A man who stabbed a police dog in the head has become the first offender to be prosecuted under Finn’s Law.

Daniel O’Sullivan, 29, from Bowland Drive, Liverpool, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (5 August), where he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

O’Sullivan also pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He was sentenced to 21 months, including three months for injuring a police dog.

This is the first prosecution made under the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill, commonly known as Finn’s Law, which recognises police dogs as public servants, rather than police property.

Police dog Audi and his handler PC Karl Mander were injured after they responded to reports of a man with a knife on Town Road, Hanley, on 1 July 2019.

O’Sullivan was found holding a glass bottle in one hand, a knife in the other and was threatening to stab officers if they approached. After he refused to put down the knife, PC Mander deployed PD Audi. The dog was stabbed twice in the head and had to receive emergency medical treatment.

Another officer was kicked in the face and head and had a bottle thrown at him. O’Sullivan was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital by ambulance. Whilst in hospital he was aggressive and unpredictable to staff, spat at four officers and kicked one in the head.

Detective inspector Stephen Ward, from CID, said: “O'Sullivan presented a significant danger to anyone who was nearby and we cannot allow the public to be put at risk.

"He assaulted five officers, spitting at four of them, which is a degrading experience for the officers concerned and can present a health risk.

“O'Sullivan was out to seriously hurt PD Audi and it was lucky that he wasn't blinded or killed as a result of his injuries.”

Audi is said to have recovered well and is now back at work.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.