Niamh Radford-Naylor
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Six baby hedgehogs in Ripon rescued from bonfire at last minuteSix baby hedgehogs were lucky to escape alive after being found in a bonfire just before it was about to be lit.
Ramsgill-based hedgehog rescue centre, HAPPY (Hedgehog Appreciation Prickly Pals Yorkshire) was called by a vet in Ripon this week to say the animals had been found just in the nick of time.
Jacqui Morrell, who runs the centre with her husband Peter, said the lucky animals “had a close shave”.
Ms Morrell said hedgehogs like the secluded space offered by an unlit bonfire but many people don’t often think to look for them, or other animals, before lighting up.
She said:
“Bonfires are ideal homes for hedgehogs but people don’t always think about wildlife. There’s all sorts in bonfires and it’s not just hedgehogs.”
Ms Morrell added that the hedgehogs will eventually be released back into the area where they were found.
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The centre was previously based in Ripon but recently moved to a larger property in Nidderdale.
The Morrells are currently looking after 40 hedgehogs where they will nurse them back to health before releasing them into the wild.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and Ms Morrell said if you spot one in daylight hours, it means they are in trouble and need help.
If you see a hedgehog during the daytime call HAPPY on 07506 186567.
Ms Morrell added:
Meet the Knaresborough woman who is a dog chaperone at weddings“Don’t delay if you see one out in the town.”
Would you like to have your dog walk down the aisle with your wedding ring?
It’s all part of a service offered by wedding dog chaperone Katie Abbott, who looks after couples’ pooches during their special day.
The Knaresborough-based professional dog walker first heard about the trend from America, and she thought she could offer newlyweds something a bit different in Yorkshire.
“People were getting family members in to look after their pets, but it took the day away from them.”
Prices start at £225 to hire Ms Abbott as a wedding dog chaperone. She usually stays with the dog for the wedding service and photos afterwards.
She can also stay overnight with the dog whilst newlyweds enjoy themselves at the reception and evening party.
Ms Abbott said the service is particularly popular with millennials who look at their furry companion as a member of their family.
“They want their dog there for the biggest day of their lives.”
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- Harrogate district raises flags for jubilee celebrations
- Knaresborough GPs operating at ‘clinical capacity’
Ms Abbott is trained in canine body language, so on the day, she looks out for fear or stress signals to make sure the animal is not overwhelmed.
At a recent wedding, an excitable labrador charged down the aisle, so she took the dog outside for a walk to calm it down.
One of her jobs is ensuring that the bridal dress is not spoilt by mucky paws — and the dog is kept safely away from the cake.
She’s been to two weddings this year where she walked the dog down the aisle, and there are even custom collars with on them pillows so they can carry the ring.
She said:
Harrogate brothers wanted by police“I love my job so much. As an animal lover, being able to work with dogs is amazing, as is being at a wedding, which is the happiest day of people’s lives.
“Having a dog there is the cherry on top of the cake.”
Two Harrogate brothers who failed to turn up in court are wanted by North Yorkshire Police.
Robbie Nelson, 23, failed to appear in court after being charged with animal cruelty.
His older brother Charlie Nelson, 27, failed to appear in court for sentencing after being convicted of animal cruelty.
Warrants have been issued for their arrests by York Magistrates’ Court.
Police said in a statement today that they believed the men are in the Harrogate area and “enquiries have been ongoing to locate them”.
They added that if you have seen either of them or have any info about where they could be, call 101, quoting reference number 12210262539
Read more:
Killinghall pet shop issues appeal to dog owners over mystery virus
Pharmall Country Store in Killinghall has urged dog owners not to bring their pets into the shop due to a mystery virus.
There have been widespread reports of vomiting and diarrhoea affecting dogs across Yorkshire, including in Harrogate, in recent weeks.
The shop on Otley Road, which sells pet food and animal supplies, posted on its Facebook page yesterday that it has made the decision to reduce the chance of the virus spreading.
It said:
“Due to the amount of cases of sickness and diarrhoea in dogs in our local area at the moment, we ask that you don’t bring your dogs into the shop.
“We don’t want any of your doggies getting poorly!
“As you know we LOVE seeing them all but for the time being, we think this is best.
“Stay safe everyone!“
Read more:
The Harrogate Vet, on Leeds Road, told the Stray Ferret this month that its vets had seen a three-fold increase in dogs with gastroenteritis.
Sarah Woods, one of the vets at the practice, said:
“It is not unusual for viruses to spread but this is different in terms of the sheer number of unwell dogs we are treating — around a dozen a day.
“We do not want dog owners to panic or change anything they are doing.
“Dogs that have symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea just need to avoid popular areas to prevent the spread.”