Staying ahead of the changing seasons to avoid winter chills is a lifestyle many people would like to adopt, but this nomadic way of life is not generally associated with whales. However, according to research published recently by scientists from Flinders University, Western Australia’s Centre for Whale Research, and the […]
Research reveals loophole in whipping rules
A Sydney University study has exposed a loophole in whipping rules which may inadvertently encourage jockeys to use a whip in a way that causes more harm. The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, analysed both forehand and backhand whipstrikes of jockeys in Victoria. Under the Australian […]
Vet Ethics: Return of the bats
Many years ago I wrote an article for The Veterinarian on the grey-headed flying foxes at Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens. Amid great controversy, the Garden’s management had decided to kill bats in order to remove them all from Fern Gully. Recently, an analysis of the saga by Dan Perry from […]
Outcry over new Victoria dog laws
Veterinary groups have been highly critical of Victorian laws which led to two dogs being euthanased. The dogs, named Bear and Kooda, were destroyed in June under Victoria’s new dangerous dog laws following a legal battle to save them. The dogs had not engaged in antisocial behaviour, but were put […]
Titanium teeth for prison dog
A valuable Victorian prison dog is showing off his new “smile” after receiving titanium incisors from veterinary dentist David Clarke. The German Shepherd, Axel, required the dental work after biting his bed board. Clarke, the owner of K9 Gums in Hallam, Victoria, has also treated big cats, gorillas and bears […]