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Dog finds missing cat in mine shaft
RSPCA animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow helped rescue Mowgli.
Daisy helped direct rescuers to missing Mowgli.

A missing cat has been found thanks to the intervention of the owner’s springer spaniel.

Michele Rose, who lives in Harrowbarrow, Cornwall, had been searching for her missing cat Mowgli for several days with no success.

During this time, her dog Daisy regularly ran in and out of the woods near their home. Eventually, Ms Rose followed Daisy to an old mine shaft. Mowgli was meowing at the bottom of the 30-metre shaft.

The RSPCA was called and animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow attended late in the afternoon.

Mr Findlow said: “The owner had been missing the cat for four days and was constantly brought to the location by her dog, as it sniffed the cat out!”

On his first visit, it was decided that there weren’t enough hours of daylight left to attempt a rescue.

Mr Findlow returned the following morning with two teams from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, including rope specialists. The missing cat was safely brought up, where he was greeted by Baloo, another of the family’s cats.

Mowgli was taken to a local veterinary practice. Despite the long drop, he had no injuries, although he had lost 2kg during his time at the bottom of the shaft.

Images © RSPCA

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.