Four dogs rescued from hot car in Harrogate given back to owner

Four dogs rescued from a hot car in Harrogate today are fine and have been handed back to their owner after receiving treatment from a vet.

The Stray Ferret reported today that bystanders at Oak Beck Retail Park off Skipton Road had to smash a car window to free the dogs who were trapped for 40 minutes without even a window open.

Fortunately, there were vets working at the nearby Vets4Pets, which is inside Pets At Home.

A spokesperson for Vets4Pets said the labradors were given treatment and after a health check that showed they were OK, were handed back to the owner. They added:

“Touch wood we got to them in time”.

The article provoked a furious response from Stray Ferret readers on Facebook with many incredulous that the owner would put their pets’ health at risk during today’s sweltering heat.

It is not illegal to leave a dog in a hot car but owners are legally responsible for their pets’ health and welfare.

If a dog becomes ill or dies in a hot car, the owner could be charged with animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This could lead to a prison sentence and/or a fine.

The Stray Ferret understands a North Yorkshire Police officer attended the scene. We have asked NYP for a statement on the incident but are yet to receive a reply.

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, has an article on its website that advises people on what to do if you find a dog in distress inside a car.

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Harrogate family reunited with missing cat after five years

A Harrogate family was left stunned yesterday after their beloved family cat Django was found — five years after they thought they had lost him forever.

Lisa Watson and her husband used to live off Knaresborough Road with Django, a black and white puss they had owned for over two years.

The cat was microchipped but one day Django disappeared and never returned.

Lisa, who had a close bond with her pet, was frantic with worry.

She joined Facebook groups, printed posters and went out every night for four weeks looking for her.

She even went to see a clairvoyant who told her that Django had been killed and she should move on. She said:

“It broke my heart. I thought, that’s my closure, I’m never going to see him again.”

When Django went missing, Lisa was five months pregnant and she said the stress of losing the cat contributed to her giving birth two months early.

But years later, she never stopped thinking about Django and wondered if he was still out there.

The family moved to a different part of the Harrogate district but whenever they were in the area they used to live, they would take a detour to see if they could spot Django.

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Fateful phone call

Everything changed yesterday when Lisa had a phone call from her husband. He cryptically asked her what phone call would she never expect to receive.

She immediately responded with: “Finding Django”.

Django had been found at Fodder by the Great Yorkshire Showground, and after her microchip was scanned by a local vet, it led her back to Lisa.

When she picked Django up, he did not look like a cat that had been struggling to survive in the wild. He was well fed and decidedly chunky.

She described the emotional reunion with the affectionate mog.

“He leaped into my arms, picked up his head and nuzzled my face.”

Lisa and Django have a lot of catching up to do. The family now has some other cats and a five-year-old son who is delighted to have a new pet.

Lisa said:

“If Django doesnt wander off again he’ll be mine for life.

“It’s like when people get reunited there are mixed emotions. You’re glad but you’re strangers again. A lot has happened, there are new family members and the dynamic has changed!”

Lisa urged anyone who sees a cat they think might be a stray to get their microchip checked by a vet. It could help another family be reunited with their long-lost pet.

Green Shoots: Ethical raw dog food brand founded in Tockwith

We love our dogs in the Harrogate district, and increasingly owners are wanting to feed their four-legged companions more nutritious and organic meals.

One company making inroads in the market is Naturaw, which was founded in Tockwith in 2015 and has built a name offering ethically sourced and sustainably packaged dog food.

It’s grown from a small operation in Marston Moor Business Park to an annual turnover in the millions.

Its products are sold by more than 160 UK retailers and supplied directly to dog owners online.

Chris Broadbent, director, said Naturaw’s green credentials are its “raison d’etre” and help it stand out in a competitive market.

There is no plastic in its packaging and the meat they use comes from animals reared on high welfare farms.

A growing market

The UK dog food industry is worth £1.5bn a year but the market is dominated by brands selling processed wet and dry food on supermarket shelves.

Raw food is still a relatively small piece of the pie, worth £100m.

Naturaw’s core range of products includes chicken, duck, venison, beef and lamb meals. They are made up of 80% meat, 10% offal and 10% bone.

Naturaw’s raw chicken meal. It costs £2.80 per pack.

It’s more expensive than traditional dog food but Mr Broadbent said it’s in-keeping with what a dog is designed to eat. Raw food is said to give the dog’s coat a healthier glow.

Mr Broadbent said:

“The dog has really become part of the family and more thought is going into giving them healthier food.”

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Plastic-free

Anyone who regularly buys pet food will know how much plastic packaging can end up in the bin.

When Naturaw was formed in 2015 founders Jess Warneken and Tom Johnson wanted to ensure it sold a plastic-free product.

The company recently achieved the prestigious B-Corp certification after a rigorous 18-month audit.

It means Naturaw is recognised globally due to its high social and environmental performance.

The tubs are made from fibre from carbon-positive forests in Scandanavia and the food is wrapped in wool, rather than polystyrene.

The lid is made from plants and the text on the packaging is even printed with vegetable ink.

It’s all compostable too, so you can throw empty packaging on with your garden waste.

Fierce debate

The debate over raw dog food has been fierce within the veterinary profession.

Unlike commercial food, raw meat products are not pasteurised to remove bacteria.

Some vets believe this bacteria can pose a risk to the dogs, whereas others say it is perfectly healthy.

Mr Broadbent said there has been some “scaremongering” about raw food.

“Some say it will turn the dog into a rabid animal and start baying for blood. There’s an awful lot of misinformation, so it’s about education.”

Growth

Last year, Naturaw expanded its premises and moved into the Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby.

Mr Broadbent said he hopes the company will continue to grow as more consumers look to ethical products when it comes to their pets.

Naturaw co-founders Jess Warneken, Tom Johnson and their baby Etta

He said:

“We’re all proud of our little business. Our ‘green-ness’ does make sense to the consumer, and the fact we have the B-Corp certification is a big feather in our cap.

“But ultimately its about the dogs, and the most healthy diet for them.”

Water voles thriving in new Nidderdale home

Two hundred water voles released in Nidderdale are thriving in their new habitat, surveys have discovered.

Yorkshire Water released two groups of the endangered animals in 2020 and 2021 at Timble Ings Wood in the Washburn Valley.  

Recent surveys suggest they are settling in well to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with signs of the animals up to 1km away from the original release site.  

Surveys of the area have found burrows, droppings, and signs of feeding, such as piles of nibbled grass. There have also been regular checks for the water vole’s main predator, the American mink, which has not been spotted.  

Philip Tennyson, recreation coordinator at Yorkshire Water said:  

“While this is a successful project, water voles are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and the good work we’ve done so far can easily be lost.  

“We would urge visitors to Timble Ings Woods to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from the ponds and watercourses to protect the fragile water vole population.” 

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Water voles are classed as an endangered species, and have been identified as one of Britain’s fastest declining mammals.  

They have been named as a priority species for protection in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and conservation efforts like the one in Nidderdale are crucial in preventing their extinction.  

The project is part of Yorkshire Water’s Water Works for Wildlife initiative, which aims to enhance biodiversity in 15 local wildlife sites.  

Firefighters rescue sheep from swollen River Ure in Ripon

Firefighters rescued a flock of sheep which managed to get stranded in the middle of the swollen River Ure in Ripon.

A crew from the fire station in Ripon worked with water and animal rescue teams to save 12 sheep from the fast-flowing water yesterday. Heavy rain had caused river levels to rise, cutting off the sheep from land.

The firefighters got the call at around 9am and headed straight to the river.

They waded into the water and used their bodies to slow the current before shepherding the animals away from harm.

Tom Harrison, a firefighter who was part of the rescue effort, told the Stray Ferret:

“Once we had located the sheep we set up a team and made a safe passage for them to cross the river.

“We didn’t need to use any equipment, we just stood in the water and used our bodies to slow the flow of water.

“When we managed to get one to leave the island the rest soon followed.

“All of the sheep managed to get away so yes I would say it was a successful operation.”

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added:

“Initial assessment from an officer to reports of approximately 12 sheep stranded on an island in the river.

“After confirming Fire and Rescue could assist in the rescue of the sheep, various water and animal rescue teams were sent to assist.”

This latest animal rescue comes almost a year after a similar incident with cows in the River Ure during the floods in November 2020.

Fireworks season could be worst for animals in decades

Fireworks displays in the Harrogate district may have been cancelled this year but a local vet and the RSPCA have warned it could still be the worst period for pets in decades.

The absence of large organised events is expected to lead to an increase in backyard firework displays, bringing noise much closer to pets at home. 

Katy Bell, a vet at the Rae, Bean & Partners practice in Boroughbridge told the Stray Ferret: 

“A big display will be organised on a certain date, at a certain time, so pet owners can be prepared for that event.

“However, if home-organised events can be a lot more spread out over an evening, and have a bigger negative impact on the animal.” 

Ms Bell encourages worried pet owners to start preparing now: she advised playing firework training CDs to pets in the run-up to November 5, starting at a low volume and increasing as necessary. 

On Bonfire Night itself, Ms Bell recommends not leaving your pet alone, and ensuring it has somewhere safe and dark to hide.

A RSPCA spokesperson said this fireworks season could be the worst for animals in decades. 

The charity advised pet owners to close windows and curtains to muffle noise, and bring smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs inside.

Around 62% of dogs and 54% of cats in the UK show signs of anxiety when they hear fireworks, according to the RSPCA. 

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Fire services’ advice

Station manager Tony Peel, from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said bonfire night was usually a quiet one for fire services in the county “and we’d love it to be the same this year”. He added:

“Please follow our safety tips if you are planning a display at home and help reduce the pressure not only on the fire service, but also on our colleagues in the ambulance service and police.

“Some people and animals are scared by firework noise so if you’re planning to let off fireworks please tell your neighbours and avoid buying really noisy ones.”

Mr Peel said anyone planning a home display should ensure it finishes before 11pm, always light the firework at arms length and only buy fireworks that carry the CE mark.

North Yorkshire police warn of increase in livestock attacks

North Yorkshire Police has urged dog owners to be more responsible after an increase in attacks on livestock.

The police issued the appeal after noticing an upturn in incidents in the Harrogate area over the last week.

More people are visiting the countryside as lockdown restrictions are eased, which has led to more dog attacks on sheep.

Inspector Matt Hagan, head of North Yorkshire’s rural taskforce, said:

“Owners need to stick to the countryside code and keep their dogs under control even if that means they have to stay on a lead. You are responsible for their behaviour so keep it under control. If your dog is involved in an incident please report it as a lot of the time the owner may see no-one and just head off but they do have a duty to report it.

“If you’re out and about and see anything please report it too because it’s difficult following these kinds of reports up, but if you report it at the time and it’s more likely we can do something.”

Rural image within North Yorkshire

The police are asking dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs when out walking them in the countryside.

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One of the incidents reported to the police this month involved a husky which managed to run through a fence and chase sheep. Police officers were called to an incident on July 12 near Thruscross Reservoir, near Harrogate, by a farmer who reported a dog had attacked a lamb on his land.

The farmer accepted an apology from the dog’s owner and the police issued a community resolution. North Yorkshire’s rural police force are keen to highlight the financial and emotional impact these attacks can have on their livelihoods.