Stag hunting banned in Ireland

This week on Ireland AM, I discussed the fact that stag hunting has finally been banned. The next item on the political agenda is the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, designed to prevent cruelty to animals on puppy farms. It's proving to be remarkably controversial, given that it's simply about dealing with cruelty to animals. Click here to watch the studio discussion on this subject. Click here for full post

Animal cruelty abroad: what to do?

What should you do if you come across episodes of animal cruelty when you're overseas on holiday? Click here to find out. Click here for full post

Genetically modified fish? Yucks

Genetically modified fish - the latest oddity to emerge from the stable of science. But will it really help feed the world? Read more here. Click here for full post

This week's Daily Telegraph column

Click here to read my Pet Subjects column in the Daily Telegraph - pampered rabbits, frightened dogs, stinging insects & hunting cats. Oh, and hens. Click here for full post

Bionic cats!

How far should treatment of animals go? Is two bionic legs for a badly injured cat going too far? What do you think? Read my blog on this here, and please comment on the Telegraph site rather than my own one..... Click here for full post

Video Q&A

To watch this week's video Q&A on TV3, click here. Click here for full post

Hot dogs on television

This week on Ireland AM, I discussed caring for pets in hot weather. Watch the video by clicking here. Click here for full post

New welfare advisory council for dogs

Following the controversy over pedigree dogs, a new advisory council has been established in the UK to deal with the various aspects of dog breeding, and the impact on animal welfare. Click here to read more about it. Click here for full post

Cats and camper vans

It wouldn't suit every cat, but some cats do enjoy going on holidays with their owners - in camper vans. Click here to read more about this. And here is the rest of it. Click here for full post

The importance of the anti-puppy farm bill in Ireland

This week, you can hear me discussing the Dog Breeding Establishment Bill which is coming before the Dail in Ireland next week. There's pressure to amend the bill, and it's supporters fear that this may effectively "neuter" its effects. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETBILLCRUELTY.mp3

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Guide Dogs under attack...

A recent study has shown that Guide Dogs are often attacked by other dogs, causing serious problems for their blind owners. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

European Parliament vote will affect ritual slaughter

A vote in the European Parliament yesterday means that from now on, meat from animals killed by no-stun slaughter will need to be labelled accordingly. Click here to learn more about this. Click here for full post

Animal welfare and animal rights: what's the difference?

The sector of population that would refer to itself as "animal loving" is not a homogenous group: there's a wide spectrum of beliefs, ranging from enthusiastic carnivores to vegan animal rights activists. Where do you fit in? Read my take on the subject here. . Click here for full post

Why cruelty to animals is important

Violence to animals is often followed by similar treatment of humans. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

The booming mole population

Apparently the mole population is booming in the UK. Read my blog on this subject here. Click here for full post

Who's smarter: dog or wolf?

Some interesting research on the relative intelligence of dogs and wolves has come in from Australia. Read about it here. Click here for full post

Laughing dogs and more in my weekly Telegraph column

Do dogs have a sense of humour? Why does a hen lay soft eggs? How can you carry a large dog when it gets tired on walks? Can cats eat flower petals? And what do you think about ritual (no-stunning) slaughter? See here at my weekly Telegraph column . Click here for full post

Foxes and other wildlife on the radio: do they need to be fed in summer?

Foxes have been in the news this week, and this week on East Coast FM, we discussed wildlife and issues surrounding human interactions with the animals and birds around us. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETFOX.mp3

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When does a "sanctuary" become a "zoo"?

A tortoise sanctuary is being closed down because the local council believes that it's a "zoo" rather than a "sanctuary". Such nonsense! Click here to read more. Click here for full post

Cat escapes from vet clinic in UK

In newspaper reports from the UK, a cat escaped through an open window. It can so easily happen, but vets do need to pay particular attention to ensure that patient escapes are avoided. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

Eggs etc

Eggs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.... sometimes containing small surprises. To read more, click here. Click here for full post

Fox attack in London......

A fox attacked two babies in the UK. To read my blog on this, click here. Click here for full post

My weekly Pet Subjects Column

Tail-twitching cats, shadow-chasing dogs, odd eggs & poopscooping: subjects covered in my latest Pet Subjects column in the Daily Telegraph. Click here to read it. . Click here for full post

A pet with a sore eye: what to do?

Conjunctivitis is common in pets - the story of Rua is typical. Read it by clicking here. Click here for full post

Spay Week Ireland - on the radio

Click on the play button below to listen to this week's radio discussion from East Coast FM

VETSPAY.mp3

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New Zealand bans no-stun ritual slaughter.....

New Zealand has joined that small group of countries to ban ritual no-stun slaughter of farm animals, on welfare grounds. This move has created some controversy, with accusations of discrimination and racism. Read my blog on this challenging subject here. Click here for full post