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Dozens of drunk seagulls have been found on beaches in Southwest England after scavenging alcohol, according to news reports. Citing the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Sky News reports that some seagulls have died and others are “seriously ill.” "The birds appear disoriented and confused and struggle to stand,” explained RSPCA vet David Couper. "We took some video of one of the birds who is staggering around and losing his balance just like a person would if they'd had too much to drink." DevonLive reports that one seagull “reeking of beer” vomited over firefighters sent to...

Among the kangaroos and kookaburras, another creature trundled through the Australian bush. Hooves barely visible, eyes mostly covered, the animal was the size of a refrigerator, the color of dirty snow. A concerned hiker spotted the furry specimen days ago and raised the alarm. It was a matter of life and death — and this sheep needed a haircut. News reports say the merino sheep had likely wandered from his flock five or six years ago and had been on the lam(b) in the wild ever since. While merinos are typically sheared every spring, rescuers think the sheep, named Chris,...

A radio station that asked listeners to vote on whether two turkeys should be killed has been criticised by animal lovers - including Queen guitarist Dr Brian May. And the RSPCA has urged Jack FM to rethink the online vote on whether the turkeys should be cooked or kept alive. The RSPCA said it opposed any practice with the "potential to cause animals pain... in the name of entertainment". Currently, 62% of people have voted to save the turkeys, named Sage and Onion. The Oxfordshire station said if listeners voted to kill the pair in the "cook it or keep...

A pony harnessed to a trap died after it was forced into a Hampshire lake by a dozen people, the RSPCA has said. The animal was dragged down into the lake by its trap as it tried to swim. An RSPCA spokesperson said the group had lined up three ponies and encouraged them into the water. One went in but when it tried to run free it was beaten back into the lake, he added.

The RSPCA has seized two dogs from their owner after she was accused of feeding them too much. Overweight Labradors Rocky and Chubby Photo: Geoff Pugh Marie Davidson, 48, has not been allowed to see her animals for three months Photo: Geoff Pugh The Labradors were taken from their home by an inspector from the charity who said they were just going to be weighed. The organisation has not allowed Marie Davidson, 48, to see her animals, or even told her where they have been kept for the past three months. The only correspondence she has had from the society...

in France of course...

Fury over new ketchup ad By SUN ONLINE REPORTERANIMAL welfare chiefs today slammed a new telly advert featuring a guinea pig drinking tomato ketchup. The cheeky Heinz commercials show a caged pet downing sauce instead of water from a bottle.But the RSPCA says giving the animals too much ketchup can make them ill and the ads are sending out the wrong message. The clips - which end with the line "You can't eat without it" - are aired during breaks for ITV's Emmerdale.An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Water is an essential part of a guinea pig's diet and we wouldn't recommend replacing it with ketchup."A small amount...

The RSPCA has accused the Greek authorities of poisoning thousands of stray cats and dogs, including many pets, in what it fears is a secret campaign to "clean up" the streets of Athens in time for next year's Olympic Games. The Greek authorities deny any role in the poisonings, which have shocked British tourists, but the RSPCA says that evidence from animal-welfare groups points to official involvement. Suspicions deepened this month when 40 cats and 15 dogs were found killed by poison in the National Gardens in Athens, where Greece - which holds the European Union presidency - will host...