Latest news with #dogwalkers
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Angler's plea to keep dogs on leads on East Yorkshire beaches
Dog walkers are being asked to keep their pets on leads around anglers to stop accidents involving fish hooks being William Walker, who fishes across East Yorkshire, wants more signs on "every entrance point to the beach" to warn people that fishing items could be accidentally left Silva, from Aldgate Veterinary Practice in Bridlington, said he had seen two cases this year of fish hooks, one stuck in a dog's lip and one that had been Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "Minimising litter is essential to preserving the natural beauty of the area and ensuring a positive experience for all visitors." Mr Silva said treatment for fish hook accidents could be costly for dog owners, adding: "Because we live in a coastal town it's just something that we witness on a fairly regular basis."Stanley, a four-year-old labradoodle, got a hook caught in his mouth while on a walk on Hornsea Steve Lockett, who lives in the town, said: "It glinted in the sun as I was going to him. "The first thing was panic. Don't let him swallow it. Get hold of him. Pull it out."He said fishermen needed to make sure they do not leave items Mr Walker said: "If there is a discard, it's usually accidental."There are not many anglers who won't try and retrieve a snap off because it's an expensive hobby."He said he would like to see more dedicated fish hook disposal cylinders on the beach closer to where anglers are because he thinks it would encourage them to use them."Having two of them on a stretch of beach which is probably five miles (8km) long or thereabouts is just not enough," he added. The RSPCA said there were 2,199 incidents relating to animals affected by litter in 2024, with 751 of them angling litter, such as fishing lines and hooks.A council spokesperson added: "We've placed bins along the promenade and kindly ask all beachgoers to dispose of their waste responsibly by either using one of the bins provided or taking their waste home with them.'' Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Expert issues urgent warning to dog owners over fatal bacteria in UK - and there's no cure
An expert has warned dog owners they should be cautious when taking their pets for walks and swims. Following the recent warm weather, and heavy rains forecast to follow this week, blue-green algae, which can bloom as a result of mixed weather, has sprung up in lakes and ponds in popular walking spots. Dog walkers should remain alert and keep an eye out for the algae, as it can be dangerous for animals. Among the areas affected by the blue-green algae are bodies of water in parts of Cumbria and Lancashire, Llandrindod Lake in Wales, and Loch Watten in Scotland. Simon Crawshaw, dog nutrition expert at dog food supplier Hilltop Pet Food, told the Mirror: 'At this time of year, it's really common for certain bodies of water to become less safe, especially after a warm spell followed by rain. 'Most owners just want to do the right thing for their dogs.' He added that people should make sure they know what the algae looks like, and what signs they should look out for, to ensure they can enjoy Summer walks, while still staying safe. 'You don't need to stop enjoying the outdoors,' Simon said. 'It's just about staying informed and making small decisions that keep your dog safe. A bit of extra caution goes a long way.' Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a group of bacteria that can contain dangerous toxins harmful and potentially fatal to pets, livestock and birds even if ingested even in small quantities. The algae can appear as a film, or greenish scum, on the surface of water, or it may make water appear cloudy. When ingested by dogs, even if they only consume a small amount, it can make the animals extremely ill - or even be fatal. Canines can come into contact with the toxins in the algae by either drinking affected water, or licking it off their fur after swimming in it. Speaking previously about the algae, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) urged pet owners to watch out for the algae near freshwater bodies, warning that there is no known antidote. British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley said: 'Toxic blue-green algae is very difficult to identify and, if ingested, can make dogs seriously unwell – and can even be fatal. 'We're urging pet owners to keep their dogs on leads near water bodies where blue-green algae has been confirmed or, if unsure if a water body is safe, to keep them away from it completely. 'There is no known antidote for the toxins and prompt treatment is critical to help give a chance of recovery. 'Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure, and commonly include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces. 'If you have any concerns or are worried your pet may have had contact with blue-green algae, speak to your vet as soon as you can.' People can try to find out if there is algae in their walking spot by checking for warnings, which are sometimes posted by councils and environmental agencies near affected areas. If an animal comes into contact into blue-green algae, they should be rinsed off immediately, and treatment instantly sought. It can also affect humans, who should also rinse off themselves off instantly if they come into contact with the growth - before seeking medical attention. WHAT IS THE DEADLY ALGAE? Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria (called cyanobacteria) that shares some of the same characteristics as plants. Blue-green algae exists all over the world and is found naturally in many inland waters, estuaries and the sea. Blue-green algae generally grows in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. The algae is very small and can't be seen with the naked eye unless it is concentrated into clumps. It tends to look like green flakes, greenish bundles or brown dots in the water. When environmental conditions are just right, blue-green algae can grow very quickly. It is buoyant and floats to the surface, where it forms scum layers or floating mats. An extensive growth is sometimes referred to as a bloom. What are the health risks? Blue-green algae is capable of producing several different toxins. People may be exposed to these toxins through contact with the skin (e.g. when swimming), through inhalation (e.g. when motor boating or water skiing), or by swallowing contaminated water. These toxins can cause skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, fever and headaches. Occasionally, the toxins can cause more serious illness such as liver and brain damage. Children are at greater risk than adults of developing problems because of their lower body weight. How can the health risks be minimised? Not all blue-green algae blooms and scums are toxic but it is not possible to tell from appearance and so it's best to assume they are harmful and take the following precautions: Do not swim in the water Do not swallow the water Avoid contact with the algae Do not eat fish caught from the water Observe and abide by any warning notices positioned around the water Anyone who has come into contact with water containing blue-green algae should shower with fresh water immediately. Anyone who has come into contact with affected water and has become ill should seek medical attention.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Mystery figure dressed as big cat on the prowl
UGC A mystery figure dressed in a large black cat costume has been seen prowling secluded areas close to a beach. The bizarre sightings have prompted a flurry of comments and photographs posted on Facebook by residents living near Wallasey beach in Wirral. A video posted on the website showed car passengers screaming as the figure was seen approaching close to their vehicle. Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she hoped anyone with concerns would report them to the police. One Facebook user posted: "Was walking my dog tonight and heard a man making cat noises, shone a torch he was waving his arms at me before crawling up the hill. Never been so scared." Another told the BBC how she was out for a dog walk when she noticed something strange. UGC The woman said: "I drove down to the coast by the Harvester pub to walk my dog and as soon as I was away from the street lights I began to hear a feline growling to my left. "My little terrier, Mac, started barking away at the figure, so I got my phone for light and captured a short video. A man in a panther costume then crawled up the hill on all fours. "I didn't feel scared really, he was just waving his arms and making panther noises. I felt more confused than scared." Another man walking his dog along the beach said he believed he knew who the figure might be and thought it was intended to be a prank. "I don't know his name, I think it's just a wind up. He's definitely not out to frighten people, he does it for fun," he said. "He just likes being a giant cat. He doesn't frighten our dog." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Wallasey
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Dog walkers warned after 18ft long python that can crush pets to death is on the loose
Dog walkers are being warned about an 18ft python on the loose that can crush pets to death. Four of the exotic non-native snakes have been captured in the Twigmoor and Cleatham areas in North Lincolnshire. The reticulated pythons - the world's longest snake - are thought to have been dumped in the woods by their owner. Cops at Humberside Police have issued a chilling warning to dog owners that the non-venomous snake 'kill their prey by biting it and then coiling around it to literally squeeze the life out of it'. They are also urging owners to keep pets on leads in the areas where the pythons were found. RSG Reptiles in Alford rescued the snakes with one being found in the village of Manton after a member of the public saw it outside a converted church, the Metro reported. Its owner, Rob Stokes, posted a video on the firm's YouTube channel in which he said he was 'angry' at the people who had ditched the snakes and said he would have taken them on 'no problem'. 'Apart from being a danger to people's pets and to other wildlife, this time of year they probably would survive - it's warm,' he said. 'But come the winter, not a chance.' Dog walkers are being warned about an 18ft python on the loose that can crush pets to death. Officers have captured four of the non-native snakes in the Twigmoor and Cleatham areas Two of the pythons were infested with parasite mites, which Mr Stokes said was like fleas to dogs. He said in his passionate 15-minute video: 'These two poor snakes have been basically thrown out the van into a field. For absolutely no reason.' Reticulated pythons Reticulated pythons are the longest snakes in the world. The huge creatures crush their prey, squeezing tighter around the neck as they exhale, leading to cardiac arrest or suffocation. Victims die within a couple of minutes but it could take an hour to be devoured. They eat small mammals and birds but can eat some prey as large as deer and pigs. They occasionally eat reptiles and on rare instances humans. Reticulated pythons that are 6-8 feet are referred to as 'super dwarfs' while those 10-12 feet are called 'dwarfs'. Reticulated pythons originate from South-East Asia. Mr Stokes told the Metro that for now they would have 'to treat them like evidence for the police, because the incident is being investigated'. 'So they'll stay with us until there's either a prosecution or no further action from the police,' he said. 'After that they'll either move to suitable homes or stay with us, and potentially become part of the animal encounters we do.' Humberside Police said its Rural Task Force were investigating the dumping of the pythons, an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, on June 11. A spokesman said: 'So far four snakes have been captured by colleagues who work with exotic animals. 'They are believed to be Reticulated Pythons. We suspect that 1 snake may currently still be out in the wild. 'The reticulated Python is the longest species on earth. It is a non venomous constrictor snake. In the wild, they will kill their prey by biting it and then coiling around it to literally squeeze the life out of it. 'In the pet trade, these come in many colours. An 18ft Snake found at Manton is a wild type, but the other three are a mixture of two Albinos and what we think is a Pied Golden Child Morph. 'In the event that you find one in the wild in the UK, please call police immediately. DO NOT try to catch it yourself, keep an eye on it and give a What3Words location to the police so it can be assessed by an expert and collected appropriately. 'We would advise keeping dogs on a lead in the areas where these snakes were found. 'These Snakes will not attack you. They will only try to defend themselves if they feel threated. We suspect that the snakes that have been dumped were pets and this will make them less likely to bite. 'PLEASE if you have a pet that you can no longer keep for whatever reason, please take it to an exotic animal shop or animal rescue. DO NOT release them into the wild. 'If you have any information on the release of these snakes please contact Humberside Police Rural Task Force RTF@ or call 101 quoting investigation reference 25000081788.' Twigmoor Woods is a 3.9km circular woodland trail near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire. Cleatham is a small hamlet which includes Cleatham Hall, a historic country house set in its own grounds, near Manton, also outside Scunthorpe.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What Services Or Tasks Do Customers "Never" Remember To Tip For But Seriously Should?
On the internet, tipping culture is one of the most constantly debated topics. And with the rise in app-based services like food delivery, home decor setup, and beauty treatments at home, there are never-ending opinions about what to tip for and how much. Related: Eat At Some Popular Restaurant Chains For A Day And I'll Guess Your Hair Color So we want to hear directly from people with their boots on the ground. If you work in hospitality, care, or other service-based industries, what's something that people rarely tip you for but really, really should? Related: Make A Really, Really, Really Pretty Disney Princess Dress And I'll Let You Know Your Ideal Home Design Style For example, do you tip the shampoo person at the hair salon? Yes, according to hairstylists. How about baristas? Or your dogwalker? Tell us your thoughts in the comments or in the anonymous form below. The best responses may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post! Also in Community: Curate A Summer Pinterest Board To Reveal Your Summer Aesthetic Also in Community: Create The Dress Of Your Dreams And We'll Tell You What You're The Goddess Of Also in Community: We'll Reveal Your Most Attractive Feature, But First You Have To Enjoy A Rainbow Of Foods
