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Naturewatch wins award for wildlife crime work
The charity's wildlife crime training package has been provided to over 5,500 police staff.
The charity has trained police officers in tackling the issue.

Naturewatch Foundation has received a Charity Awards prize for its work supporting the police in tackling wildlife crime.

The animal welfare charity is recognised for its ‘Police control room wildlife crime training package’, which advises police staff how to handle calls regarding wildlife crimes. This includes offences such as badger baiting and hare coursing.

Since its introduction, the training package has been provided to over 5,500 police staff in less than 12 months.

The training package was created by Naturewatch Foundation in partnership with the National Wildlife Crime Unit and RSPCA. Advice was supported with the expertise of Thames Valley Police.

Using animations, the package aims to give the learner a better understanding of what a caller or witness may be experiencing with wildlife crime. This includes visualisations of the stages of a wildlife crime, such as the ‘dig’ in a case of badger baiting.

The course means that police control room operators, who are responsible for logging calls and dispatching the right officer, know which resources may be needed to enact an effective police response.

The charity was recognised with the Charity Awards prize in the ‘Animals and Environment’ category as part of a ceremony on Tuesday, 9 July.

Kate Salmon, campaign manager and project lead, said:  “We are overwhelmed by this award and I commend the dedicated police officers up and down the country, whose teams are usually under-resourced, that continue to fight week on week to stop British wildlife being brutally persecuted.

“Our work to support them continues and it’s a real delight to be recognised for what we do for animal welfare.”

She added: “Wildlife crime has such dire consequences for our rural communities, as well as causing suffering to the animals involved, including the dogs used so disgustingly by the people who are meant to protect them. It must end.”

Image © Shutterstock

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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...
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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.