Elderly dog found dumped in freezing temperatures

The German Shepherd that was abandoned

By Cara Sulieman

AN elderly dog has cheated death after being abandoned on the first day of freezing temperatures across the country.

The German Shepherd was found wandering around Bo’ness by a kind-hearted passer-by who called the local dog warden, who in turn called the Scottish SPCA.

At 10 years old, the pooch was extremely thin and had a growth on her underside.

The charity thinks the canine was dumped because of its advanced years and ill health – left to forage for itself in the deep snow before being found on Thursday night.

As well as the growth – thought to be a mammary tumour – the dog had rubbing around her neck, suggesting she had been tied up or was wearing a tight collar.

Bullied reindeer’s new lease of life

By Andrea McCallum

A RANDY reindeer faces a year without any nookie – after having one of his knackers lopped off in pioneering new operation.

Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo became worried when male Eskimo was bullied by others in his herd who wouldn’t let him join in any reindeer games.

They later discovered he was suffering a rare condition where one of his testicles was found stuck in his abdomen.

New school opens to help vets conquer phobias

By Cara Sulieman

A NEW school is opening up to help student vets get over their fears of snakes and rats.

Rising numbers of unusual animals being kept as pets prompted Edinburgh University to set up an exotic teaching facility.

It is estimated there are 100,000 households in the UK with snakes and a further 80,000 with pet rats – all of whom need veterinary care.

But even vets have phobias, and they will be given special one-to-one lessons to help them overcome their fears at The Royal (Dick) School for Veterinary Studies in Midlothian.

Scots heroes shine at the military medical “Oscars”

By Michael MacLeod

BATTLEFIELD medics who risk life and limb daily to save the lives of wounded soldiers have been honoured for their skill and bravery on the front line.

Scotland’s military health heroes swept the board at the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards.

Among them was Stirling-born Major Moira Kane, a mum of two who had to leave her family behind at short notice to run the emergency ward in Afghanistan’s Camp Bastion.

Her team treated countless war-wounded soldiers and witnessed some of the most harrowing injuries imaginable.

Major Kane said: “I’m a Scottish lass and it is great to take a break from the trauma ward at Camp Bastion to collect the award in Edinburgh.

Dopey deer gets stuck in railings

By Cara Sulieman

A DOPEY deer got stuck in railings on a quiet residential street in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The fire brigade were called to Torbain in Kirkcaldy after a deer was found with its head stuck in a fence.

A vet had to be called out to check over the terrified animal before the firemen could cut it loose.

It was then taken to the vet’s surgery for treatment.

Cancer-beating pooch inspects new clinic

By Cara Sulieman

A NEW vet clinic has been given a thorough inspection by a canine expert – a cancer-beating border collie.

Six months after defying the odds and recovering from cancerous lymphoma, Scrooble competed in Crufts.

And yesterday he was back at the clinic to check out the facilities at the University of Edinburgh’s new cancer centre.

The seven-year-old pooch is back to his energetic self after undergoing a gruelling eight months of chemotherapy for his cancer.

Thug kills puppy with coffee mug

By Michael MacLeod

A THUG who killed a miniature Poodle with a coffee mug because it wouldn’t stop barking has been jailed.

Ian Robson, 32, claimed he was angry at the noise his friend’s 15-month-old puppy Olly was making and lashed out at the defenceless animal.

Sick Robson hit it so hard with the cup, the dog’s skull was smashed and it had blood pouring from its nostrils.

And despite emergency treatment from a vet, the whimpering Poodle later died from its injuries.

Yesterday at Dunfermline Sheriff Court he admitted culpable and reckless conduct – despite claiming that he liked animals and felt terrible that he had killed the pup – and was jailed for six months.

The court heard how Olly’s owner Mr Wilson had been visiting Robson’s Lochgelly home last July and took the pup with him.

But when his friend left the room to go to the toilet, the dog’s barking got louder and Robson lost it.

Short fused Robson lashed out at the animal smashing his skull.

When Mr Wilson returned, Robson was holding the dog out in front of him and it was barely conscious with blood streaming from its nostrils.

Olly was rushed by taxi to a vet in Dunfermline where he was given intravenous fluids and medical care.

But moments later the terrified pup suffered a seizure and died.

Robson later told police he “felt terrible” about the attack and claimed he was only trying to quieten it down.

His defence agent Richard Flett said: “The dog was barking and became louder but this is in no way intended to excuse Mr Robson.

“He lashed out at the dog and unfortunately this appears to be the cause of the fracture He likes animals and accepts he hit the dog with some force.

“But his intention was not to harm it, his intention was to quieten it.

“He very much regrets what has happened and is extremely ashamed and has expressed remorse.

“Sadly other family members have also carried the can for what has happened.”

Sentencing him to six months behind bars for the attack, Sheriff Craig McSherry said: “I understand there are others ways of dealing with this but striking a dog with such force as to cause its skull to fracture deserves a custodial penalty.”

36 Year-Old Horse Pulled To Safety

By Alexander Lawrie

EIGHT burly firemen put their pulling power to the test to heave an elderly horse to safety.

A fire crew from Edinburgh was called out yesterday (Tue) to help free the 36-year-old gelding which had become trapped in its own stable, near Roslin, Midlothian.

Elderly Tally has been a regular at the stables for the past 20 years and is prone to falling over while asleep.

Kirkettle Farm Stables owner Alan Fairlie was alerted to the equine drama around 4am by his dogs barking.

Rushing to see what the commotion was Alan was stunned to see Tally lying on his side still inside his box.

He first tried to move the distressed animal by using his forklift, but after several unsuccessful attempts he called in the professionals.

He said: “Poor Tally is getting on in years and I was so shocked to see him on his side.

“He sleeps standing up, but sometimes when he gets woken with a start he falls over.

“I knew I had to act quickly because of his age and because horses in general get fluid on their lungs if they are on their side for too long.

“I tried to move him with the forklift but there just wasn’t the room. His breathing was getting heavy so I decided to call the fire brigade.

“They arrived really quickly and we had him up within no time. And apart from a few bruises and scratches he’s fine.”

The eight firemen pulled Tally from her horsebox using their hose reels, and managed to get the animal upright with a little help from the forklift.

A spokesperson for Lothian Fire said: “A crew was called out on Tuesday morning to stables in Midlothian to affect the rescue of an elderly horse.

“The crew used hose reels and a tractor to pull the horse back on its feet.

“A veterinary surgeon attended the scene, but the horse was uninjured by the incident.”