Television Wildlife Programmes Blamed For Disturbance Of Red Deer Rut

Telegraph:

Red deer are not rutting because they are being disturbed by amateur photographers and wildlife lovers who have been inspired to watch the annual mating ritual by nature programmes.

This year’s Autumnwatch on BBC2 featured an update every week on the mating season of the red deer, with the animals filmed locking antlers in the early dawn.

Police Dog Handler Admits Cruelty To German Shepherd Dog

Mirror:

A police dog handler who dangled his German Shepherd by its lead from a 5ft fence admitted animal cruelty yesterday.

PC Mark Edgar, 36, hoisted Hax off the ground six times when he refused to jump over the obstacle.

Finally, the officer lifted the two-year-old dog to the top of the fence before it plunged over the other side, landing awkwardly…

Dog Turns On Cooker Causing House Fire

A colllegues dog (years ago) kindly brought a running hose into their house whilst they were out, causing a flood; but I think Alfie tops my story:

A family had to escape their blazing home during the night after their dog managed to knock their cooker on and set their kitchen on fire.

Accidental arsonist Alfie – now dubbed the “Alfonist” by the family – turned on a griddle attachment, which had a deep fat fryer on top…

Read more: BBC News