Northern Ireland

Charity asks government for further animal cruelty measures

The Dogs Trust has commended the government’s intentions on cracking down on animal cruelty offences. The government recently committed to increasing the maximum sentence from six months to five years, in line with Northern Ireland. In a statement the charity said: “The government’s move to increase the sentencing for animal…

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Animal cruelty sentences increase to five years in prison

New government plans will bring England’s maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty in line with Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. The maximum sentence will now stand as five years. Courts can also issue an unlimited fine and ban offenders from keeping animals in future. The new legislation will only be…

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FSB Small Business Awards open for entries

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2018 are now open for entries. The awards will celebrate the best of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and their vast contribution to both regional and national economies. With 12 different award categories to enter, a series of 12 area award ceremonies will be held…

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Brits spend more on pets than partners

Pet owners will spend £683.98 on their furry friends in a year, which is £47.16 more than they spend on treating their significant other in a year. Hamsters are the nation’s most affordable pet to keep, at just £62.84 a month. Dog owners can expect to spend more than £10,000 on their pooch in a…

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Scotland examines ban on shortening puppy tails

Holyrood Committee has launched a call for evidence. The Committee is asking members of the public whether should it be legal to shorten a puppy’s tail. The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee wants to hear from the public on whether or not Scotland should lift the current ban…

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Naturo launches canned food for dogs

Naturo Pet Foods has introduced a new range of 100 percent natural canned foods for dogs, at a competitive £1 per can price point. The company aims to make the natural pet food more accessible to pet owners. Naturo Pet Foods is a Northern Ireland-based company. Its three grain and gluten…

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Spring brings a rise in shopper footfall

Footfall in March grew 1.3 percent on the previous year, the fastest growth since March 2014, reported the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The new figures are well above the three-month average of -0.2 percent. However, the new numbers are partly credited to a calendar distortion; March 2016 included Easter Sunday,…

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US pet food company partners with Tesco

US chilled pet food brand Freshpet is working in partnership with Tesco. Freshpet’s range of fresh, natural, less-processed pet food will be available in 300 Tesco stores nationwide, merchandised in unique Freshpet branded chiller cabinets for the pet aisle . Freshpet Co-Founder and Europe’s MD, Cathal Walsh explains: “Freshpet started ten…

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RSPCA to keep powers of prosecution

Private prosecutions will continue to be made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a new report reveals. MPs called for the government to lessen the prosecution power of the RSPCA in November 2016 so it only acted in exceptional cases. This followed allegations of pets being wrongly taken from homes…

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DAERA vet elected new president for BVA Northern Ireland Branch

The Northern Ireland Branch of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Jean Wales as its new president at its AGM, which was held at The Seagoe Hotel, Portadown on 25 January. After serving a year as junior vice president, Jean will succeed Seamus O’Kane as BVA Northern Ireland president,…

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