Latest news with #Patterdale
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Dog Develops Sudden Paralysis, What Owner Does Next Melts Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman feared the worst when her senior dog collapsed, but nothing could have prepared her for the three-month whirlwind that was about to ensue. After spending a month in Florida, Amanda Mcsharry, 30, noticed her dog, named Ruby, acting a little differently. Within a week of her return, the 10-year-old Jack Russell and Patterdale mix seemed stiff and didn't even want to jump on the couch. Initially, Mcsharry, a registered veterinary nurse, wondered if Ruby had injured herself, telling Newsweek that she "wasn't her normal self." She gave Ruby an anti-inflammatory painkiller and planned to observe her. "When I came home on my lunch break the next day, she fell over and became stumbly," Mcsharry said. "I've seen lots of neurological cases and began to think she may have a spinal issue, although she didn't seem to be in pain." Amanda Mcsharry, 30, carrying Ruby outside using a harness and in a backpack. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, carrying Ruby outside using a harness and in a backpack. @amandam76 / TikTok Mcsharry, from Scotland, took Ruby to her local vet as she was deteriorating and had become incontinent. This was clearly more than a minor injury, so Ruby was referred to a larger veterinary hospital where she stayed overnight for tests. This left Mcsharry going home alone, facing the terrifying prospect that she might have to say goodbye to her soul dog. "They carried out blood tests, an ultrasound and X-rays to rule out various cancers and toxoplasmosis. She deteriorated further to the point she could no longer lift her head and wouldn't eat," Mcsharry said. Ruby was diagnosed with polyradiculoneuritis, also known as coonhound paralysis. Dr. Chad West, chief clinical officer and service head of neurology and neurosurgery at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, explained that it's a disease where the body's immune system attacks the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord. The progressive paralysis in dogs can be caused by vaccinations, a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection, exposure to bacteria from raw poultry, or raccoon saliva. Dogs usually start with a stiff-legged gait which rapidly progresses into paralysis in all four legs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. The symptoms then progress in the following four or five days, leading to decreased reflexes, reduced muscle tone, and labored breathing. West told Newsweek: "Mildly affected dogs may require only supportive care, including mild physical therapy, while severely affected dogs may benefit from plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin administration that can block the immune cells from binding to the nerve rootlets. "In humans, this disease is called Guillain-Barre syndrome. It has a known association with certain bacterial and viral infections. Bacterial infection has also been implicated in dogs." Pain medication can be given, but most dogs need intensive physical therapy. Mcsharry had never come across any cases of polyradiculoneuritis, but she was seeing it for the first time in her own pup. Ruby was hospitalized for four nights to monitor her deterioration, which is usually worse in the initial days. Eventually, Mcsharry was able to take her bestie home and begin the recovery. "I was delighted but terrified I was going to miss something," Mcsharry said. "I knew we had a long road ahead, but I was just happy to have her back. At this point, she could lift her head when lying down, but her head would fall whenever I tried to stand her up. This made her quite stressed, and I had to come up with ways of supporting her." Most dogs recover from coonhound paralysis, but they can maintain nervous system deficits for several weeks or months. This was the case for Ruby, who was unable to walk for three months. Throughout that time, she had to be carried everywhere by Mcsharry, who used a harness, a dog wheelchair, and a backpack to assist Ruby. Gradually, Ruby started gaining some autonomy again. She was able to go to the toilet while Mcsharry held her hips upright. She also took Ruby's crate to work and would turn the dog over in bed hourly to prevent sores. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, using a harness to hold Ruby up, and Ruby managing to walk unassisted. Amanda Mcsharry, 30, using a harness to hold Ruby up, and Ruby managing to walk unassisted. @amandam76 / TikTok In addition to regular physio appointments, Ruby also began weekly hydrotherapy sessions. The vet was concerned that Ruby's recovery was too slow, but Mcsharry was adamant that she was making progress and they just needed to persevere. Mcsharry told Newsweek: "I could see tiny improvements in her as I know her so well. Every day I would do a session of physio before work, during my lunch break, and after work. Between those, I used a harness to carry her everywhere and simulate walking." Over time, Mcsharry noticed that Ruby was managing to place her paws on the ground, rather than swinging them aimlessly. Subsequently, Ruby sat up unassisted for a few seconds, proving that she was regaining her strength after all. Progress was slow, but Mcsharry built on each tiny milestone. She encouraged Ruby to sit up for longer each time, and even got her to stand unassisted. "About five days later, she took her first steps unassisted, and everything progressed from there. She got tired quickly, but I couldn't believe that she was walking. It was surreal that we had actually done it," Mcsharry said. It was a remarkable experience which Mcsharry documented in a viral TikTok video (@amandam76). At the time of writing, the video has generated over 164,800 views and 32,300 likes on TikTok. It was so rewarding for Mcsharry to know that her instincts were right. Seeing Ruby return to her usual self was "the best feeling" for Mcsharry, who says she's back to normal. She continued: "There were lots of tears throughout, especially when she she sat up, stood on her own, and walked. Now, you would never know anything had happened—she's back to normal and she's the same wee dog." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Moment huge fireball engulfs housing block in ‘arson attack' as residents sleep… before hero mum saves dozens of lives
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the dramatic moment a bin store erupted into a huge fireball just inches from a block of homes as residents slept - following a suspected arson attack. Ruth Galloway - whose maisonette is directly above where the fire started - woke up her two sons, before banging on neighbours' doors and calling the fire brigade. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Ruth Galloway (left) and neighbour Chantelle Goodwin at Greenhill House Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 The bin stores erupted into flames last Friday Credit: Ruth Galloway The 48-year-old and her kids, Harold, 20, and 19-year-old Arthur, then found their exit blocked off, with flames licking up the staircase down to ground level. Ruth told The Sun: 'We learned later that the bin store is immediately below a mains gas pipe - that's the worrying bit.' She explained how she'd been 'dozing' at around 1.30am in her home in Bishop Cleeves, Tewkesbury, last Friday (July 4) when she heard a 'crackling' sound. Initially thinking it was her radio, she turned it off but the noise continued, 'then there was a massive bang'. Read more news UP IN FLAMES Huge blaze rises over residential street with plumes of smoke seen for miles 'I ran downstairs to my balcony and realised the bin stores were on fire,' she said. Ruth then shouted to her sons 'there's a fire, get out of bed!' before carrying her nervous pet Patterdale dog Mookie in her arms. 'The stairs are right next to our house, so there was flames licking our wall," she continued. 'We exited down the other end. We had to walk the whole length, so I banged on as many doors as I could. I presume the fire brigade banged on the others.' She said the firefighters arrived within four minutes. 'Thank God they did because they said if it had been burning for much longer the gas pipe would have gone and it would have taken the whole building with it,' Ruth explained. Schoolboy, 12, killed in horror fire that ripped through block of flats had 'great heart' as family pays tribute The complex consists of 10 maisonettes in a row, above a row of shops and a nursery. However, mum-of-two Ruth laughed when asked if she thought of herself as a hero. 'I was just trying to get out of the building, and make sure people were awake,' she said. She said most of the other households have very young children. 'The poor bastards had to sit out there in the car park for five hours,' she continued. One of Ruth's sons took the video as the blaze raged towards the building. 'I was in shock because of our poor dog. He didn't wake up at all, he just shook. 'He's a bit of an anxious dog, I was just worrying about the dog for the first couple of hours, trying to calm him down.' 9 A fire engine at the scene 9 The charred bin stores Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 The building sits over shops and businesses Credit: Ruth Galloway It was around 6am when everyone was allowed back inside, with the bin stores and part of the building scorched from the fire. The next day a representative from housing association Rooftop knocked on Ruth's door to check the property. "I'd only slept for about an hour,' she said. 'I just told them we're all just happy to be alive.' She added: 'If it had been going on any longer, if the gas would have exploded, or the flames were coming towards my front door… who knows what would have gone first. 'Either we'd have been blown to high heaven or we wouldn't have been able to get out of the front door for flames. That was scary.' 'Arson attacks' & flytipping Ruth said the same night several fires were also started nearby, including at a school just down the road. 'While we were waiting for the firefighters to put out our fire, there was another one lit at the school,' she recalled. 'You could see this bright light suddenly appear. Whoever was doing it had the brass balls to do another one while the fire brigade were a hundred metres away, and the police were here too.' Ruth said there was plenty of fuel in her complex's bins due to a major fly-tipping issue which has been ongoing since she moved into the property in December last year. As a result, the bin men often neglect to empty them at all, she claims. 'I've been going on about to it to my housing officer since I moved in, I just thought it was a fire risk itself - I didn't realise there was a gas pipe,' she said. 'The gas line comes up from the ground and up the wall.' Ruth said the pipe's been chopped off where it was melted by the flames but the exterior armour 'just about held'. 'Thank God for that - the inside plastic pipe had melted, hence there was a massive gas leak afterwards.' Referring to the flytipping, Ruth went on to say: 'We have fly tippers from all around. The material for fuel in the store was immense because people just come and bring furniture. 'The one attached to my building is supposed to be just for recycling - Tewkesbury Borough Council has refused to collect it for I don't know how long.' 'It feels like no one gives a s***. I've saved not only the housing association's building but also its residents and the businesses underneath. Ruth Galloway She added: 'It's only me that's worried about the fire risk because I'm attached.' Her neighbour, mum-of-three Chantelle Goodwin said: "The bins for our houses have been a nightmare ever since I moved in a year ago. "People come round and fly tip on them and they are over loaded and they then don't get collected for weeks on end. "There is only four green bins for 10 houses, it's not enough. Every single house by me has kids in and most of us have three kids." She went on to say, her kids, aged three, five and seven, "have been so scared" to go to bed because of the fire. "They are worried that they are going to woken up from bangs on the door telling us to get out the house again, and the gas leaking out that may have caused an explosion. "I don't feel safe living here with three kids," Chantelle said, adding the CCTV cameras don't even work so it'll like be impossible to catch whoever may have started the blaze. Building regulations Ruth researched what building regulations are in place relating to bin stores close to properties and found they must be constructed from 'non-combustible materials that hold fire for 30 minutes if attached to a building'. However, the bins are plastic and the stores are wooden. Referring to the housing association, she said: 'They must be crapping themselves, they must have known it (the bin store) shouldn't have been built right next to an exit.' On top of that, due to the gap under the stores, she said there's been a massive rat problem. 'It's all been a bit of a mess. I've been very angry, quite rightly so,' said Ruth. 'It feels like no one gives a s***. I've saved not only the housing association's building but also its residents and the businesses underneath." She added: 'I'm not trying to bash the housing association particularly, but I know there must be blocks of flats with the same issue and I don't want anyone to go through this.' Ruth said since the fire she's been unable to sleep and has been replaying the moment in her mind. 'I have to stop myself and say no, get over it,' she explained. 'It's something I've got to come to terms with but I've had nightmares where I wake up with a jolt.' Peter Tonge, Director of Communities at the council, said: "We've been working with Rooftop Housing to help residents manage the areas and understand their responsibilities. "We encourage waste and recycling issues to be reported as soon as possible so that we can help to resolve them. 'We've had assurance from Rooftop Housing that they have offered support to residents and are reviewing options for the waste and recycling stores site.' The Sun has also contacted Rooftop Housing for comment. Do you know more? Email 9 Ruth struggles to sleep at night now Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 A hole drilled in the aftermath of the fire to cut off the gas Credit: Ruth Galloway 9 Chantelle and Ruth are both scared to remain at their homes Credit: Adrian Sherratt
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Moment huge fireball engulfs housing block in ‘arson attack' as residents sleep… before hero mum saves dozens of lives
THIS is the dramatic moment a bin store erupted into a huge fireball just inches from a block of homes as residents slept - following a suspected arson attack. Ruth Galloway - whose maisonette is directly above where the fire started - woke up her two sons, before banging on neighbours' doors and calling the fire brigade. Advertisement 9 Ruth Galloway (left) and neighbour Chantelle Goodwin at Greenhill House Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 The bin stores erupted into flames last Friday Credit: Ruth Galloway The 48-year-old and her kids, Harold, 20, and 19-year-old Arthur , then found their exit blocked off, with flames licking up the staircase down to ground level. Ruth told The Sun: 'We learned later that the bin store is immediately below a mains gas pipe - that's the worrying bit.' She explained how she'd been 'dozing' at around 1.30am in her home in Bishop Cleeves, Tewkesbury, last Friday (July 4) when she heard a 'crackling' sound. Initially thinking it was her radio, she turned it off but the noise continued, 'then there was a massive bang'. Advertisement Read more news 'I ran downstairs to my balcony and realised the bin stores were on fire,' she said. Ruth then shouted to her sons 'there's a fire, get out of bed!' before carrying her nervous pet Patterdale dog Mookie in her arms. 'The stairs are right next to our house , so there was flames licking our wall," she continued. 'We exited down the other end. We had to walk the whole length, so I banged on as many doors as I could. I presume the fire brigade banged on the others.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun She said the firefighters arrived within four minutes. 'Thank God they did because they said if it had been burning for much longer the gas pipe would have gone and it would have taken the whole building with it,' Ruth explained. Schoolboy, 12, killed in horror fire that ripped through block of flats had 'great heart' as family pays tribute The complex consists of 10 maisonettes in a row, above a row of shops and a nursery. However, mum-of-two Ruth laughed when asked if she thought of herself as a hero. Advertisement 'I was just trying to get out of the building, and make sure people were awake,' she said. She said most of the other households have very young children. 'The poor bastards had to sit out there in the car park for five hours,' she continued. One of Ruth's sons took the video as the blaze raged towards the building. Advertisement 'I was in shock because of our poor dog. He didn't wake up at all, he just shook. 'He's a bit of an anxious dog, I was just worrying about the dog for the first couple of hours, trying to calm him down.' 9 A fire engine at the scene 9 The charred bin stores Credit: Adrian Sherratt Advertisement 9 The building sits over shops and businesses Credit: Ruth Galloway It was around 6am when everyone was allowed back inside, with the bin stores and part of the building scorched from the fire. The next day a representative from housing association Rooftop knocked on Ruth's door to check the property. "I'd only slept for about an hour,' she said. 'I just told them we're all just happy to be alive.' Advertisement She added: 'If it had been going on any longer, if the gas would have exploded, or the flames were coming towards my front door… who knows what would have gone first. 'Either we'd have been blown to high heaven or we wouldn't have been able to get out of the front door for flames. That was scary.' 'Arson attacks' & flytipping Ruth said the same night several fires were also started nearby, including at a school just down the road. 'While we were waiting for the firefighters to put out our fire, there was another one lit at the school,' she recalled. Advertisement 'You could see this bright light suddenly appear. Whoever was doing it had the brass balls to do another one while the fire brigade were a hundred metres away, and the police were here too.' Ruth said there was plenty of fuel in her complex's bins due to a major fly-tipping issue which has been ongoing since she moved into the property in December last year. As a result, the bin men often neglect to empty them at all, she claims. 'I've been going on about to it to my housing officer since I moved in, I just thought it was a fire risk itself - I didn't realise there was a gas pipe,' she said. Advertisement 'The gas line comes up from the ground and up the wall.' Ruth said the pipe's been chopped off where it was melted by the flames but the exterior armour 'just about held'. 'Thank God for that - the inside plastic pipe had melted, hence there was a massive gas leak afterwards.' Referring to the flytipping, Ruth went on to say: 'We have fly tippers from all around. The material for fuel in the store was immense because people just come and bring furniture. Advertisement 'The one attached to my building is supposed to be just for recycling - Tewkesbury Borough Council has refused to collect it for I don't know how long.' 'It feels like no one gives a s***. I've saved not only the housing association's building but also its residents and the businesses underneath. Ruth Galloway resident She added: 'It's only me that's worried about the fire risk because I'm attached.' Her neighbour, mum-of-three Chantelle Goodwin said: "The bins for our houses have been a nightmare ever since I moved in a year ago. "People come round and fly tip on them and they are over loaded and they then don't get collected for weeks on end. Advertisement "There is only four green bins for 10 houses, it's not enough. Every single house by me has kids in and most of us have three kids." She went on to say, her kids, aged three, five and seven, "have been so scared" to go to bed because of the fire. "They are worried that they are going to woken up from bangs on the door telling us to get out the house again, and the gas leaking out that may have caused an explosion. "I don't feel safe living here with three kids," Chantelle said, adding the CCTV cameras don't even work so it'll like be impossible to catch whoever may have started the blaze. Advertisement Building regulations Ruth researched what building regulations are in place relating to bin stores close to properties and found they must be constructed from 'non-combustible materials that hold fire for 30 minutes if attached to a building'. However, the bins are plastic and the stores are wooden. Referring to the housing association, she said: 'They must be crapping themselves, they must have known it (the bin store) shouldn't have been built right next to an exit.' On top of that, due to the gap under the stores, she said there's been a massive rat problem. Advertisement 'It's all been a bit of a mess. I've been very angry, quite rightly so,' said Ruth. 'It feels like no one gives a s***. I've saved not only the housing association's building but also its residents and the businesses underneath." She added: 'I'm not trying to bash the housing association particularly, but I know there must be blocks of flats with the same issue and I don't want anyone to go through this.' Ruth said since the fire she's been unable to sleep and has been replaying the moment in her mind. Advertisement 'I have to stop myself and say no, get over it,' she explained. 'It's something I've got to come to terms with but I've had nightmares where I wake up with a jolt.' Peter Tonge, Director of Communities at the council, said: "We've been working with Rooftop Housing to help residents manage the areas and understand their responsibilities. "We encourage waste and recycling issues to be reported as soon as possible so that we can help to resolve them. 'We've had assurance from Rooftop Housing that they have offered support to residents and are reviewing options for the waste and recycling stores site.' Advertisement The Sun has also contacted Rooftop Housing for comment. Do you know more? Email 9 Ruth struggles to sleep at night now Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 A hole drilled in the aftermath of the fire to cut off the gas Credit: Ruth Galloway Advertisement 9 Chantelle and Ruth are both scared to remain at their homes Credit: Adrian Sherratt 9 Ruth's pet Patterdale dog Mookie Credit: Ruth Galloway
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mountain Rescue Teams aid ill camper near Grisedale Tarn
Volunteers from two mountain rescue teams were called into action in the early hours of Saturday morning after an 18-year-old camper fell ill near Grisedale Tarn. The callout was received at 1:02am on July 5, while the team was already dealing with a separate ongoing search on Glenridding Dodd. Due to the simultaneous incidents, support was requested from Penrith Mountain Rescue Team and a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter. Six Patterdale members and seven from Penrith made their way up the Grisedale Valley to locate the casualty's tent. The individual was reportedly suffering from persistent vomiting. A team doctor assessed and treated the casualty on site. Once stabilised, the young person was put into a stretcher and airlifted from the scene by the SAR helicopter, which was able to land despite low cloud conditions. The helicopter flew the casualty to the playing field in Patterdale, where further care could be provided. The casualty's friends were safely escorted down the mountain by rescue volunteers. The incident lasted five hours and involved a total of 19 team members A spokesperson for Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team thanked all those involved, including the Coastguard crew, for their coordinated efforts.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man caught on camera throwing pet dog over gate banned from owning animals
Kieran O'Connor, 35, was banned from owning, keeping or dealing with animals for five years after he pleaded guilty to harming his pet bull-type breed called Prince A man caught on camera throwing his pet dog over a gate has been banned from owning animals. Kieran O'Connor, 35, was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after he was charged under the Animal Welfare Act in a case brought forward by the RSPCA. The charge sheet said O'Connor "failed to meet the need to protect his dog from pain, suffering, injury and disease by the infliction of physical abuse and emotional distress." O'Connor, of Parbrook Road in Huyton, in Merseyside, previously pleaded guilty to the charge on May 15. When he previously appeared at the court, O'Connor was given a community order which involved 26 programme requirement days and was ordered to pay costs of £5000 and the victim surcharge of £114. He was also banned from owning, keeping or dealing with animals for five years under section 34 of the same act. The incident, which happened on October 1 last year, was captured on CCTV footage and went on to be widely shared across social media, Liverpool Echo reports. The 20-second clip saw O'Connor walking his brown male bull breed dog called Prince before stopping outside his home. The self-employed gardener was then seen picking up his dog by the skin on his back and neck, before going on to lift him up and forcibly throwing him over the fence and onto the concrete path. O'Connor then opened the gate in order to let himself in. There have been other instances where people have been banned from owning animals. In 2023, a father and son were banned from owning animals after they superglued a dogs lips together. Robert Mills and Jack Mills used a strong commercial adhesive in a horrific and selfish DIY effort to patch up their terrier's wounds after they put him through an illegal fox hunt. But after being caught, the pair were handed a suspended prison sentence and told to rehome all their other animals and give up their five dogs to the RSPCA. Their Patterdale terrier Fudge suffered gruesome injuries after they forced it onto an illegal fox hunt. They tried to claim the injuries came after attacks from a badger or a rabbit. Police raided their home after an RSPCA investigation and also found a lurcher with extensive scarring across its face, a large part of its tongue missing as well as a weeping nailbed on one of its paws.
