MSP fails in bid to prevent beavers becoming protected species
Beavers will be given legal protection in Scotland after an attempt by a Conservative MSP to prevent the move was voted down.
animal welfare
Green MSP urges ban on large-scale culls of mountain hares
A Green MSP has called on the Scottish Government to outlaw mass culls of mountain hares.
Fish farm company culled a third fewer seals
Seal culls at a fish farm company’s salmon farms around Scotland’s west coast and islands have fallen by a third in a year.
Kennel Club proposes risk-based licences to clamp down on puppy farming
A risk-based licensing and inspection scheme should be introduced to help stop puppy farming in Scotland, the Kennel Club has said.
Calls for outright ban on shock collars for pets in Scotland
The Scottish Government is facing calls to bring in an outright ban on electric shock collars for pets.
New law planned to tackle ‘potential loopholes’ in fox hunting ban
New legislation will eradicate “potential loopholes” in Scotland’s fox hunting laws, the Rural Affairs Minister has said.
Hunt for ‘cruel’ attacker who left horse with 18-inch cut in night-time stabbing
A north-east horse owner has been left "sickened" after her prized pony needed 28 stitches following a brutal and unexplained night-time attack.
A singular way of dealing with animal welfare
Farm assurance should focus on individual animals and welfare outcomes, according to new guidance.
Aberdeen MP calls for law change to protect stolen animals from harm
Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson has called for tougher punishments for thieves who steal and harm dogs.
Date set for Fyvie pair’s fight to keep dogs
Two people linked to an alleged puppy farm have claimed they are being made to look “like gangsters” by an animal welfare charity.
Scottish SPCA deals with more than 7,500 incidents in 2017
The Scottish SPCA has revealed that its frontline staff responded to more than 7,500 incidents last year in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire last year.
Farmers investing in animal welfare
More than a third of Scottish livestock farmers are planning to invest in animal welfare over the next 12 months, according to a survey by McDonald’s.
Boris backs Aberdeen MP’s call for electric shock dog collar ban
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has backed calls for a UK-wide ban on electric shock dog collars.
Labour Party unveils animal welfare policy
A ban on live exports of animals, the introduction of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses and a consultation on the expansion of “megafarms” are among the proposals in a 50-point animal welfare draft policy document which was launched yesterday by the Labour Party.
Dog gets stomach pumped after ‘rat poison’ deliberately left on popular walking route
A beloved pet has near=miss after swallowing what is believed to be rat poison deliberately left on a popular dog walking route.
Warning to pet owners after dogs bit by snakes
Dog owners have been urged to stay vigilant after a number of animals were bitten by snakes in the north-east.
Sanctuary hit by Brexit as winter food bill looms
A north-east animal sanctuary which cares for hundreds of creatures is in desperate need of funds as, it says, donations have been hit by Brexit.
Men who killed pet gecko in blender told to volunteer with animal charity to avoid prison
Two men who committed the "chillingly evil" killing of a family's pet gecko in a blender have been told to volunteer with an animal charity if they want to avoid going to prison.
Red Tractor updates guidelines for farmers and growers
Farm assurance body Red Tractor will issue new guidelines to its producers later this month.
National Pig Association urges fair deal for farmers
The National Pig Association (NPA) has used its general election manifesto to call for a "fair and balanced" deal for Britain's pig farmers.
Sheep farming leaders oppose tightening of animal welfare rules
Sheep farming leaders have rejected government hints that animal welfare legislation could be tightened post-Brexit in order to enhance the appeal of British produce in global markets.
Farm leaders urge government not to push for increased welfare standards post-Brexit
Livestock farmers should receive government support if they are expected to adopt higher levels of welfare when the country leaves the European Union, industry leaders have said.
Pig welfare initiative hailed by farming industry
The British pig industry has welcomed the findings of one of the world's largest reports on animal welfare - covering nearly 5.5million pigs over the last three years.
Charity kills ‘lethal reptile’ at Aberdeen harbour… Then realises it was just a harmless tree snake
A harmless tree snake discovered on a north-east vessel was killed after it was mistaken for a lethal African reptile, it has emerged.
Pig industry hits out at planning process and ‘interfering’ welfare groups
Local authority planners and "interfering" welfare groups are being blamed for delaying improvements to the health of the British pig herd.
Adorable baby deer and owl chick in care at north-east sanctuary as “orphan season” begins
A north-east animal rescue charity's "orphan season" has kicked off after a baby deer and owl came into their care.
This poor dog weighs an astonishing seven stone… Sheriff tells owner she was killing it with kindness
A dog owner who let her pet balloon to seven stone has claimed she is not cruel to animals.
Seal trapped in netting rescued from popular north-east beach
Wildlife officers have rescued a grey seal after it was found tangled in netting on a north-east beach.
Giving hens a home in the north-east
They're not going to be cocks of the north, but a new hen rehoming centre is opening its doors in Aberdeenshire next weekend.
Woman charged with abandoning dogs in car overnight
Rebecca Buchan
Investigation launched into flea-infested dog rescued in north-east town
An investigation has been launched after a flea-infested dog was discovered wandering the streets of a north-east town.
Banned farmer convicted of “harrowing” animal welfare charges admits illegally chopping down 2,000 trees
A farmer who was banned from keeping livestock after being convicted of "harrowing" animal welfare charges has admitted chopping down 2,000 trees illegally.