MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
2 March 2010
City launches pilot scheme to allow tenants to keep pets
IF THEY'D arrived a day earlier they could have ended up in the dog house - but seven pups were born just in time for the lifting of a council ban on animals in a pair of Niddrie highrises.
When Katie the one-year-old Staffordshire terrier-boxer cross became pregnant at her home in Greendykes House she wasn't even supposed to be living there.
Edinburgh Council maintained a ban on pets in its council houses until last Friday, when it launched a pilot scheme allowing pet owners who live in highrise flats to keep their animals.
It wasn't a moment too soon for Katie. Owner Dave Parry said: "She's a bit young to be having pups but she had a bit of a run in with another dog I was looking after, a Staffordshire terrier called Casper.
"A friend of mine was looking for a new home for Casper and I agreed to take him temporarily until we could find something permanent, and then nature took its course.
"I tried to keep Casper and Katie apart but you know dogs, they've got a mind of their own.
"I decided not to keep them both on because there's no room in the flat for two dogs, but now I've ended up with another seven."
Mr Parry, 47, who cares for his disabled wife Lorraine, also 47, has already found homes for most of the pups - largely amongst his neighbours at Greendykes House who are keen to adopt pets under the newly liberalised animal regime.
Edinburgh City Council has been working with the Scottish SPCA on a new scheme to encourage better animal ownership in highrise flats.
If the pilot is successful it may lead to the council rolling out the scheme to allow tenants across the capital to keep pets in highrises - as long as they are responsible pet owners and keep the needs of their neighbours as well as their pets in mind.
Alex Robertson, 55, a self-employed painter who lives with his partner Sandra Stacey, 63, in Greendykes House, regularly cares for Ms Stacey's granddaughter's springer spaniel Flynt.
He said: "We've been looking after Flynt for about four years now, thanks largely to the concierge who has turned a blind eye to us keeping him all these years.
"We still had to put up with the odd neighbour moaning that we weren't supposed to have pets in the block, but that's all going to change now. To be honest, you couldn't really blame the neighbours because many of them had to give up their pets to take on the flats because of the animal ban.
"Most of us just signed the missive and brought the pets anyway, but if the council ever decided to enforce the ban then we'd probably have to move. The dog is like part of the family."
The project will also see the Scottish SPCA give essential advice on how to care for dogs and other pets in highrise blocks.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Jenni Surgeon, said: "While some dogs are suitable to live in a flat, others simply will not enjoy this environment, which can result in problems not only for the owner, but for neighbours and the local community. We hope that local dog owners will find this scheme helpful and informative."
Showing posts with label Annals of Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Annals of Animals. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Thursday, 10 December 2009
NEWS: I don't ever want to hear about Go Go Hamsters ever again
By MARK McLAUGHLIN and VICTORIA RAIMES
Edinburgh Evening News
10 December 2009
I don't get it....but then again I'm not 3-years-old
IT'S the must-have toy this Christmas, but you're Go-Going to have to get your skates on to get one.
Jenners has announced it is due to release what is likely to be its final pre-Christmas batch of Go Go Hamsters – the £9.99 surprise hit of the winter – at 9am on Saturday.
With the new stock limited to around two dozen, staff are bracing themselves for chaos and will be operating a strict one-per-person, first-come first-served ticketing system outside the Princes Street store before opening.
A similar system caused arguments at Toys R Us last weekend, with staff reporting abusive complaints from irate customers looking for more than one toy.
Alan Thomlinson, depute store manager at Jenners, said: "We've never had this kind of demand before so we've had to put a ticketing system in place for the first time in the store's history.
"My advice would be to get here early. I wouldn't like to put a time on it, it will be up to the customers to use their judgement as to how early they're willing to queue for these toys.
"There won't be any other fanfare going on that morning. The idea is to get the customers in and out the door as quickly and safely as possible."
With some Edinburgh-based eBay sellers receiving bids upwards of £100 for their hamsters, there is the potential for an early morning bidding war for a place in the queue on Saturday.
Jenners' rival John Lewis has confirmed there will be no more deliveries before Christmas.
Toys R Us in Kinnaird Park had a delivery last Friday and said it may be getting another delivery tomorrow.
A store source said: "This Go Go Hamster business is crazy – it's straight out of the film Jingle All the Way.
"We have people lining up outside the store from 6am and they set out camp with deck chairs and all sorts. We've been handing out tea and coffee to keep them warm.
"As there is such a rush for the hamsters, we are operating a ticket system to make sure everybody is treated fairly. We are only selling one hamster plus one accessory to each person to try and ensure that everybody gets one, although some people are left disappointed.
"A few people become abusive because they want to buy more than one, but most understand."
Parents have clearly not been deterred by a recent health scare sparked by US consumer group Good Guide, which claimed that the fur on one of the rodents contained traces of an arsenic-like chemical beyond permitted levels.
The hamster in question – Mr Squiggles – was cleared by European and US regulators.
Jenners manager George Bell said: "We are aware of the claims that one of the hamsters may be toxic, but the manufacturers said there was no need for a recall as they have passed all the safety standards. We've been assured by the manufacturers that the toys we have for sale are absolutely fine."
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Jenners-gears-up-to-sell.5900138.jp
Edinburgh Evening News
10 December 2009
I don't get it....but then again I'm not 3-years-old
IT'S the must-have toy this Christmas, but you're Go-Going to have to get your skates on to get one.
Jenners has announced it is due to release what is likely to be its final pre-Christmas batch of Go Go Hamsters – the £9.99 surprise hit of the winter – at 9am on Saturday.
With the new stock limited to around two dozen, staff are bracing themselves for chaos and will be operating a strict one-per-person, first-come first-served ticketing system outside the Princes Street store before opening.
A similar system caused arguments at Toys R Us last weekend, with staff reporting abusive complaints from irate customers looking for more than one toy.
Alan Thomlinson, depute store manager at Jenners, said: "We've never had this kind of demand before so we've had to put a ticketing system in place for the first time in the store's history.
"My advice would be to get here early. I wouldn't like to put a time on it, it will be up to the customers to use their judgement as to how early they're willing to queue for these toys.
"There won't be any other fanfare going on that morning. The idea is to get the customers in and out the door as quickly and safely as possible."
With some Edinburgh-based eBay sellers receiving bids upwards of £100 for their hamsters, there is the potential for an early morning bidding war for a place in the queue on Saturday.
Jenners' rival John Lewis has confirmed there will be no more deliveries before Christmas.
Toys R Us in Kinnaird Park had a delivery last Friday and said it may be getting another delivery tomorrow.
A store source said: "This Go Go Hamster business is crazy – it's straight out of the film Jingle All the Way.
"We have people lining up outside the store from 6am and they set out camp with deck chairs and all sorts. We've been handing out tea and coffee to keep them warm.
"As there is such a rush for the hamsters, we are operating a ticket system to make sure everybody is treated fairly. We are only selling one hamster plus one accessory to each person to try and ensure that everybody gets one, although some people are left disappointed.
"A few people become abusive because they want to buy more than one, but most understand."
Parents have clearly not been deterred by a recent health scare sparked by US consumer group Good Guide, which claimed that the fur on one of the rodents contained traces of an arsenic-like chemical beyond permitted levels.
The hamster in question – Mr Squiggles – was cleared by European and US regulators.
Jenners manager George Bell said: "We are aware of the claims that one of the hamsters may be toxic, but the manufacturers said there was no need for a recall as they have passed all the safety standards. We've been assured by the manufacturers that the toys we have for sale are absolutely fine."
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Jenners-gears-up-to-sell.5900138.jp
Thursday, 29 October 2009
NEWS: Anyone ever heard of 'Blackfriars Bobby'...?!
By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
29 October 2009
IT is one of Edinburgh's most famous tales, but the story of Greyfriars Bobby has just got a little darker.
A free city map distributed in the city's hotels, train stations and visitor attractions has accidentally branded the statue of the famous terrier "Blackfriar's Bobby".
A total of 600,000 maps with Bobby's new name have been distributed around the Capital and the Lothians, leading to dozens of complaints - including one from Greyfriars Kirk.
As well as renaming the legendary loyal dog, the map mistakenly labels the churchyard where he watched over his master's grave as the site of "Blackfriar's Kirk".
The map's creator today held up his hands to the mistakes - which also include showing Broughton Street and Union Street in the wrong place - and said they would be corrected when it is reprinted.
Peter Todhunter, who holds the licence to distribute the maps in the UK on behalf of Canadian company Skycorp Maps Ltd, said: "Greyfriars Kirk did call to complain about the error on the map, which was due to a mix-up during the production stage. I actually produce two maps, one for Edinburgh and one for St Andrews.
"The St Andrews map has a guide to Blackfriars Tours, which does guided walks around the town offering 'twisted tales of St Andrews'. When it came to producing the Edinburgh map I mixed up Greyfriars Bobby and Kirk with Blackfriars tours.
"I also accept there are a few spelling mistakes, and that Broughton Street and Union Street are in the wrong place.
"I've been aware of these errors for quite some time and I do tell people that there are a few mistakes in there when I'm distributing the maps. I'd like to assure everyone that all of these errors will be corrected in the next edition of the map, in April."
Other mistakes include King's Stables Road appearing alternately with and without an apostrophe at the east and west end of the street, a missing apostrophe on Queen's Drive and Spittal Street with a missing "t".
The Evening News found the map in several prominent city hotels and tourists spots, including the Sheraton Hotel in Festival Square, the Carlton Hotel on North Bridge and the bureau de change on the High Street.
The lastminute.com hotel kiosk in Waverley Station also distributed copies - despite the adjacent Waverley Bridge being spelled without an "e" in the map.
The Radisson Hotel on High Street and the Balmoral on Princes Street also admitted stocking the maps, but only provided them as alternatives when stocks of their more authoritative maps ran out.
The Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge said it had received several copies, but put them straight in the recycling bin.
Edinburgh Evening News
29 October 2009
IT is one of Edinburgh's most famous tales, but the story of Greyfriars Bobby has just got a little darker.
A free city map distributed in the city's hotels, train stations and visitor attractions has accidentally branded the statue of the famous terrier "Blackfriar's Bobby".
A total of 600,000 maps with Bobby's new name have been distributed around the Capital and the Lothians, leading to dozens of complaints - including one from Greyfriars Kirk.
As well as renaming the legendary loyal dog, the map mistakenly labels the churchyard where he watched over his master's grave as the site of "Blackfriar's Kirk".
The map's creator today held up his hands to the mistakes - which also include showing Broughton Street and Union Street in the wrong place - and said they would be corrected when it is reprinted.
Peter Todhunter, who holds the licence to distribute the maps in the UK on behalf of Canadian company Skycorp Maps Ltd, said: "Greyfriars Kirk did call to complain about the error on the map, which was due to a mix-up during the production stage. I actually produce two maps, one for Edinburgh and one for St Andrews.
"The St Andrews map has a guide to Blackfriars Tours, which does guided walks around the town offering 'twisted tales of St Andrews'. When it came to producing the Edinburgh map I mixed up Greyfriars Bobby and Kirk with Blackfriars tours.
"I also accept there are a few spelling mistakes, and that Broughton Street and Union Street are in the wrong place.
"I've been aware of these errors for quite some time and I do tell people that there are a few mistakes in there when I'm distributing the maps. I'd like to assure everyone that all of these errors will be corrected in the next edition of the map, in April."
Other mistakes include King's Stables Road appearing alternately with and without an apostrophe at the east and west end of the street, a missing apostrophe on Queen's Drive and Spittal Street with a missing "t".
The Evening News found the map in several prominent city hotels and tourists spots, including the Sheraton Hotel in Festival Square, the Carlton Hotel on North Bridge and the bureau de change on the High Street.
The lastminute.com hotel kiosk in Waverley Station also distributed copies - despite the adjacent Waverley Bridge being spelled without an "e" in the map.
The Radisson Hotel on High Street and the Balmoral on Princes Street also admitted stocking the maps, but only provided them as alternatives when stocks of their more authoritative maps ran out.
The Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge said it had received several copies, but put them straight in the recycling bin.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
NEWS: Stolen terriers
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
20 October 2009
FOUR Staffordshire bull terrier puppies were stolen by "extremely callous" thieves during a break-in at a flat in Leith.
The eight-weeks-old puppies, of which two are black and two have brindle markings, were taken from a flat in Albert Street on Friday.
The Staffordshire bull terrier pups, which can be worth hundreds of pounds each, were taken when the flat was broken into sometime between 11.30am and 1.45pm.
Police have not disclosed whether anything else was taken in the raid.
A police spokesperson said: "The owner is very upset at the loss of the puppies.
"We are appealing for anyone who might have seen people acting suspiciously in the area at the time, or from anyone who has heard of this kind of puppy being offered for sale, to contact police."
It is unknown whether the dogs were stolen to order, or were the victim of an opportunist thief.
However, Leith Walk Councillor Angela Blacklock said it was possible the dogs were stolen to order as they would be likely to fetch a high price if sold on.
She said: "This is a terrible theft. I've never heard of anything like it in the area before.
"Someone must have known that the puppies were in the flat as these breeds carry quite a high value.
"A breeder would make sure that the dogs would go to a good home but now that they've been stolen who knows what will happen to them.
"If it is someone that's broken into the property and stolen them to order or for sale the could be a real problem because we don't know what kind of home they'll go to.
"It just seems extremely callous, and it's a shame if this person was a dog breeder whose gone to the expense of raising four Staffordshire bull terrier pups only to have them snatched away.
"I will be speaking to the local police inspector to find out what happened here."
Some Staffordshire bull terrier pups are currently being sold on line for up to £400.
The theft comes almost a year to the day after four pedigree Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were snatched from their kennel outside a cottage near Linlithgow in a night-time raid.
Owner Margaret Ferguson, 48, said the thieves used a crowbar to break in to the locked kennel and would have needed a car to transport the valuable pets away.
An in February 2008 a pedigree Shi Tzu was stolen from a house in Whitburn, before being killed and dumped in a bin bag near Murraysgate Industrial Estate.
Edinburgh Evening News
20 October 2009
FOUR Staffordshire bull terrier puppies were stolen by "extremely callous" thieves during a break-in at a flat in Leith.
The eight-weeks-old puppies, of which two are black and two have brindle markings, were taken from a flat in Albert Street on Friday.
The Staffordshire bull terrier pups, which can be worth hundreds of pounds each, were taken when the flat was broken into sometime between 11.30am and 1.45pm.
Police have not disclosed whether anything else was taken in the raid.
A police spokesperson said: "The owner is very upset at the loss of the puppies.
"We are appealing for anyone who might have seen people acting suspiciously in the area at the time, or from anyone who has heard of this kind of puppy being offered for sale, to contact police."
It is unknown whether the dogs were stolen to order, or were the victim of an opportunist thief.
However, Leith Walk Councillor Angela Blacklock said it was possible the dogs were stolen to order as they would be likely to fetch a high price if sold on.
She said: "This is a terrible theft. I've never heard of anything like it in the area before.
"Someone must have known that the puppies were in the flat as these breeds carry quite a high value.
"A breeder would make sure that the dogs would go to a good home but now that they've been stolen who knows what will happen to them.
"If it is someone that's broken into the property and stolen them to order or for sale the could be a real problem because we don't know what kind of home they'll go to.
"It just seems extremely callous, and it's a shame if this person was a dog breeder whose gone to the expense of raising four Staffordshire bull terrier pups only to have them snatched away.
"I will be speaking to the local police inspector to find out what happened here."
Some Staffordshire bull terrier pups are currently being sold on line for up to £400.
The theft comes almost a year to the day after four pedigree Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were snatched from their kennel outside a cottage near Linlithgow in a night-time raid.
Owner Margaret Ferguson, 48, said the thieves used a crowbar to break in to the locked kennel and would have needed a car to transport the valuable pets away.
An in February 2008 a pedigree Shi Tzu was stolen from a house in Whitburn, before being killed and dumped in a bin bag near Murraysgate Industrial Estate.
Monday, 19 October 2009
NEWS: That's a lot of deid chickens!!
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
October 16, 2009
POLICE are investigating after 136,000 chickens were killed in a mystery break-in at a poultry farm on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The birds are thought to have suffocated after the air supply to the sheds at the huge facility was shut down.
The motive for the attack on Beechgrove Farm, around two miles west of Balerno, is not known.
The farm's owner, meat-producing giant Vion Food Group, would not say what type of chickens were killed, how they were housed inside the sheds or exactly how much the break-in cost. However, experts have estimated the bill could run up to GBP 400,000.
A police spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way.
"A total of 12 sheds containing live chickens were broken into, and the environmental controls tampered with, causing the deaths of approximately 136,000 chickens.
"Police are appealing for anyone who has any information that can assist their inquiries to come forward."
It is unclear whether the break-in was the work of pranksters, but it is thought unlikely to be connected to animal rights groups.
Ross Minett, campaigns director with Advocates for Animals, said he was not aware of any targeted action against local farms or Vion Food Group as a whole.
Mr Minett said: "This is a dreadful incident and the scale of suffering is simply immense.
"It's hard to imagine why anyone would deliberately cause tens of thousands of birds to die an awful death from overheating and asphyxiation.
"Unfortunately, intensively-grown chickens crowded together in huge factories are terribly vulnerable to any interference with environmental controls, whether deliberately or by accident."
Farming experts said that the size and population of the sheds indicated that they were likely to be broiling chickens - normally packaged for consumption as roast chicken - meaning, depending on their age, they were worth up to GBP 400,000.
Rob Smith, group communications officer at Vion Food Group, said: "I can confirm that on the night of 17-18 August there was a break-in at Beechgrove Farm.
"Nothing was stolen, but the action of the culprits resulted in a high number of bird fatalities.
"A police investigation is presently under way and we are co-operating with their inquiries."
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn added: "This was either an extremely callous or thoughtless act that has resulted in thousands of animals suffering what must have been a very uncomfortable and slow death filled with pain and fear.
"Whoever is responsible for this clearly showed no consideration for the welfare of the birds.
"Anyone with any information should contact the police."
Edinburgh Evening News
October 16, 2009
POLICE are investigating after 136,000 chickens were killed in a mystery break-in at a poultry farm on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The birds are thought to have suffocated after the air supply to the sheds at the huge facility was shut down.
The motive for the attack on Beechgrove Farm, around two miles west of Balerno, is not known.
The farm's owner, meat-producing giant Vion Food Group, would not say what type of chickens were killed, how they were housed inside the sheds or exactly how much the break-in cost. However, experts have estimated the bill could run up to GBP 400,000.
A police spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way.
"A total of 12 sheds containing live chickens were broken into, and the environmental controls tampered with, causing the deaths of approximately 136,000 chickens.
"Police are appealing for anyone who has any information that can assist their inquiries to come forward."
It is unclear whether the break-in was the work of pranksters, but it is thought unlikely to be connected to animal rights groups.
Ross Minett, campaigns director with Advocates for Animals, said he was not aware of any targeted action against local farms or Vion Food Group as a whole.
Mr Minett said: "This is a dreadful incident and the scale of suffering is simply immense.
"It's hard to imagine why anyone would deliberately cause tens of thousands of birds to die an awful death from overheating and asphyxiation.
"Unfortunately, intensively-grown chickens crowded together in huge factories are terribly vulnerable to any interference with environmental controls, whether deliberately or by accident."
Farming experts said that the size and population of the sheds indicated that they were likely to be broiling chickens - normally packaged for consumption as roast chicken - meaning, depending on their age, they were worth up to GBP 400,000.
Rob Smith, group communications officer at Vion Food Group, said: "I can confirm that on the night of 17-18 August there was a break-in at Beechgrove Farm.
"Nothing was stolen, but the action of the culprits resulted in a high number of bird fatalities.
"A police investigation is presently under way and we are co-operating with their inquiries."
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn added: "This was either an extremely callous or thoughtless act that has resulted in thousands of animals suffering what must have been a very uncomfortable and slow death filled with pain and fear.
"Whoever is responsible for this clearly showed no consideration for the welfare of the birds.
"Anyone with any information should contact the police."
NEWS: Stitched up like a kipper
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
February 16, 2009
A SECOND woman has told how she fell victim to fraudulent door-to-door fishmongers after she paid nearly GBP 400 for top quality salmon - only to be left with 30lb of worthless white fish.
The Evening News told last week how an 80-year-old woman in the Morningside area was duped into paying GBP 350 for a similar quantity of lemon sole, halibut and sea bass, only to find that the product she was given was tasteless, full of bones and "unidentifiable".
Alison Waterson, 49, a retired nursing home director who lives in nearby Clinton Road, said she was also visited by one of the men fitting the description of the known fraudsters on the same day.
The two men - who were wearing wellies and blue overalls, and spoke with strong Newcastle accents - are now thought to have taken at least GBP 750 on their rounds last Saturday.
Mrs Waterson said: "The men were offering salmon for GBP 9.50 a pound, whereas it was costing me GBP 12 a pound in Bruntsfield, so it seemed like a really good deal.
"They've been to my door before and spoken to my husband, but he wasn't interested at the time but said they were welcome to come back and speak to me, which they did. The chap I spoke to seemed really nice, and he offered to knock GBP 40 off the price if I paid cash.
"He even offered to take me round to the cashpoint, but I decided just to pay by cheque and pay the extra money, so the whole thing came to GBP 397.
"He told me it was his last round and that he'd throw in a couple of kippers for me as well, then he disappeared behind the gate with my cheque.
"He just dumped a white unmarked box on my doorstep and did a runner."
As with her elderly neighbour, Mrs Waterson put the fish in the pan and soon realised that she'd been duped.
She added: "I put it in a fish stew with lots of soy sauce and seasoning, so it was quite hard to identify anyway, but it definitely wasn't salmon.
"It just appeared to be some kind of white fish, but I couldn't say what it was.
"When I read about what they were up to in the paper I was kicking myself. You live and learn, I guess."
Dc Alistair Hutchens, of Lothian and Borders Police, warned others to be on the lookout for similar fraudsters.
He said: "We've had incidents like this in the past, and it seems to be rearing its head again.
"We recently searched a van and seized a number of items in connection with this type of crime. Our advice is, don't buy anything from anyone selling products door-to-door, or at the very least check the product before you hand over the money.
"It seems that these men have been presenting people with trays of very reasonable-looking fish when they're negotiating the sale, but the product they eventually produce is nothing like the products they demonstrate."
The man involved in both incidents is described as white, between 20 and 30 years old, 5ft 7in, with a round face and dark but greying hair. His partner is also white, 40-50 years old, 6ft and well built with brown hair.
Edinburgh Evening News
February 16, 2009
A SECOND woman has told how she fell victim to fraudulent door-to-door fishmongers after she paid nearly GBP 400 for top quality salmon - only to be left with 30lb of worthless white fish.
The Evening News told last week how an 80-year-old woman in the Morningside area was duped into paying GBP 350 for a similar quantity of lemon sole, halibut and sea bass, only to find that the product she was given was tasteless, full of bones and "unidentifiable".
Alison Waterson, 49, a retired nursing home director who lives in nearby Clinton Road, said she was also visited by one of the men fitting the description of the known fraudsters on the same day.
The two men - who were wearing wellies and blue overalls, and spoke with strong Newcastle accents - are now thought to have taken at least GBP 750 on their rounds last Saturday.
Mrs Waterson said: "The men were offering salmon for GBP 9.50 a pound, whereas it was costing me GBP 12 a pound in Bruntsfield, so it seemed like a really good deal.
"They've been to my door before and spoken to my husband, but he wasn't interested at the time but said they were welcome to come back and speak to me, which they did. The chap I spoke to seemed really nice, and he offered to knock GBP 40 off the price if I paid cash.
"He even offered to take me round to the cashpoint, but I decided just to pay by cheque and pay the extra money, so the whole thing came to GBP 397.
"He told me it was his last round and that he'd throw in a couple of kippers for me as well, then he disappeared behind the gate with my cheque.
"He just dumped a white unmarked box on my doorstep and did a runner."
As with her elderly neighbour, Mrs Waterson put the fish in the pan and soon realised that she'd been duped.
She added: "I put it in a fish stew with lots of soy sauce and seasoning, so it was quite hard to identify anyway, but it definitely wasn't salmon.
"It just appeared to be some kind of white fish, but I couldn't say what it was.
"When I read about what they were up to in the paper I was kicking myself. You live and learn, I guess."
Dc Alistair Hutchens, of Lothian and Borders Police, warned others to be on the lookout for similar fraudsters.
He said: "We've had incidents like this in the past, and it seems to be rearing its head again.
"We recently searched a van and seized a number of items in connection with this type of crime. Our advice is, don't buy anything from anyone selling products door-to-door, or at the very least check the product before you hand over the money.
"It seems that these men have been presenting people with trays of very reasonable-looking fish when they're negotiating the sale, but the product they eventually produce is nothing like the products they demonstrate."
The man involved in both incidents is described as white, between 20 and 30 years old, 5ft 7in, with a round face and dark but greying hair. His partner is also white, 40-50 years old, 6ft and well built with brown hair.
NEWS: The word "oxsters" isn't used enough in newspapers
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
February 11, 2009
IT was the emergency call which turned into a real "mare" of a job for fire crews.
Eight firefighters rushed to the aid of a 1000lb elderly horse who had fallen over while asleep and couldn't get back on his feet.
After the efforts of a farmer and two farm hands failed to budge 36-year-old Tally, the rescue team was called in, but soon found their heavy lifting equipment simply wasn't up to the job.
The innovative firefighters turned to plan B, which involved using a hose, a fork-lift truck and a lot of brute force.
Thankfully, Tally - who is said to be prone to falling over while asleep - appeared none the worse for his ordeal yesterday morning and was soon running around Kirkettle Farm, near Roslin.
Crew manager Mark Hanratty said: "We got a length of hose and placed it underneath the horse's oxters and his hind legs.
"We then tied the hose to a fork-lifttruck and hoisted him up, then held him in place for about ten minutes until he got the feeling back in his legs.
"I used this technique in the past many years ago, when a horse got stuck in the mud, and it's once again proved to be effective."
The rescue operation was supervised by a vet from the Easter Bush Veterinary Centre in Roslin, who prodded Tally's legs with a spike every couple of minutes until he got his feeling back.
However, the vet didn't need a spike to know that Tally was up and ready for breakfast, for as soon as the feeling returned to his legs, he was kicking out like a sprightly prize stallion.
Owner Marion McGowan, 54, a cook from Penicuik, said: "He still thinks he's a three-year-old the way he normally runs round the field. He'll drive you mad.
"He's eating now and he seems to be okay, but I'm still a bit upset about finding him like that. I'm just so glad he's back on his feet. I'd be devastated if anything happened to him. He was the last present my parents ever bought me back in 1977.
"He won a race for me at Penicuik Gala Day back in the 1980s and came third place in a couple of riding shows but he's getting on a bit now.
"Some horses die in the teens or early 20s but I guess Tally just has the luck of the Irish."
The average lifespan for a horse is 25 to 30 years, making Tally, who has been at the stables for 20 years, very old indeed.
Kirkettle farmer Alan Fairlie was alerted to the drama at around 4am by his dogs barking and arrived to see Tally lying on his side still inside his box.
He said: "Horses normally sleep on their hind-quarters but if it rolls on to its side we would say that the horse is 'cast', that it had become stuck, and it's quite an exercise to get it moving again.
"It's quite a dangerous thing if a horse is on its side because the lungs start to fill with fluid, and we had to physically drag Tally out of the box to get him moving again.
"But once the pins-and-needles had gone he was ready to go."
Edinburgh Evening News
February 11, 2009
IT was the emergency call which turned into a real "mare" of a job for fire crews.
Eight firefighters rushed to the aid of a 1000lb elderly horse who had fallen over while asleep and couldn't get back on his feet.
After the efforts of a farmer and two farm hands failed to budge 36-year-old Tally, the rescue team was called in, but soon found their heavy lifting equipment simply wasn't up to the job.
The innovative firefighters turned to plan B, which involved using a hose, a fork-lift truck and a lot of brute force.
Thankfully, Tally - who is said to be prone to falling over while asleep - appeared none the worse for his ordeal yesterday morning and was soon running around Kirkettle Farm, near Roslin.
Crew manager Mark Hanratty said: "We got a length of hose and placed it underneath the horse's oxters and his hind legs.
"We then tied the hose to a fork-lifttruck and hoisted him up, then held him in place for about ten minutes until he got the feeling back in his legs.
"I used this technique in the past many years ago, when a horse got stuck in the mud, and it's once again proved to be effective."
The rescue operation was supervised by a vet from the Easter Bush Veterinary Centre in Roslin, who prodded Tally's legs with a spike every couple of minutes until he got his feeling back.
However, the vet didn't need a spike to know that Tally was up and ready for breakfast, for as soon as the feeling returned to his legs, he was kicking out like a sprightly prize stallion.
Owner Marion McGowan, 54, a cook from Penicuik, said: "He still thinks he's a three-year-old the way he normally runs round the field. He'll drive you mad.
"He's eating now and he seems to be okay, but I'm still a bit upset about finding him like that. I'm just so glad he's back on his feet. I'd be devastated if anything happened to him. He was the last present my parents ever bought me back in 1977.
"He won a race for me at Penicuik Gala Day back in the 1980s and came third place in a couple of riding shows but he's getting on a bit now.
"Some horses die in the teens or early 20s but I guess Tally just has the luck of the Irish."
The average lifespan for a horse is 25 to 30 years, making Tally, who has been at the stables for 20 years, very old indeed.
Kirkettle farmer Alan Fairlie was alerted to the drama at around 4am by his dogs barking and arrived to see Tally lying on his side still inside his box.
He said: "Horses normally sleep on their hind-quarters but if it rolls on to its side we would say that the horse is 'cast', that it had become stuck, and it's quite an exercise to get it moving again.
"It's quite a dangerous thing if a horse is on its side because the lungs start to fill with fluid, and we had to physically drag Tally out of the box to get him moving again.
"But once the pins-and-needles had gone he was ready to go."
NEWS: Chocolate Fon-doo
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
January 27, 2009
THEY are renowned for sculpting chocolate in all shapes, sizes and fillings, but few have heard of Thorntons' troublesome chocolate pigeons.
Staff at the chain's Princes Street store were left in a flutter on Saturday morning when a pigeon flew into the store and homed in on the chocolate fountain.
The panicked bird - who has gained the nickname Wonka - tried to escape through a window, but found its wings weighed down by the flowing chocolate and staff had to call in the SSPCA.
"The animal rescue crews thought it was a hoax at first," said Thorntons sales assistant Vicky McMillan. "But, when we assured them we were serious, they sent out the new girl."
SSPCA ambulance driver Fiona Thorburn, who started that morning following her training period with the animal welfare charity, was dispatched to check it out.
She said: "I was doubtful, to say the least, because it was my first day on call by myself and I thought someone was winding me up.
"But, sure enough, when I got there, the pigeon was covered in chocolate and was unable to fly.
"The staff had originally shooed it out of the shop but later noticed the chocolate had dried to its tail feathers, meaning it could only walk.
"I caught it in a net and took it to our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife where it is recovering well."
Rescue Centre Manager Colin Seddon added: "Because pigeons live in the street, they often get themselves into all sorts of trouble and this isn't the first we've cared for. However, this is the first I've ever heard of that has managed to cover itself in chocolate.
"It was easy enough to clean and after a bit of rest we'll release it, probably in a week or so."
While the bird survived the ordeal virtually intact, Thorntons was forced to throw out more than GBP 50 worth of chocolate that was ruined in the process.
Staff also revealed that Wonka was not the first pigeon to wreak havoc in their store.
Ms McMillan, 25, who lives in Haymarket, added: "About two years ago there were three birds that flew into the shop and landed in the chocolate fountain. That cost us over GBP 100 worth of chocolate.
"Short of keeping the doors closed there's very little we can do to keep them out, but it doesn't happen very often."
Edinburgh Evening News
January 27, 2009
THEY are renowned for sculpting chocolate in all shapes, sizes and fillings, but few have heard of Thorntons' troublesome chocolate pigeons.
Staff at the chain's Princes Street store were left in a flutter on Saturday morning when a pigeon flew into the store and homed in on the chocolate fountain.
The panicked bird - who has gained the nickname Wonka - tried to escape through a window, but found its wings weighed down by the flowing chocolate and staff had to call in the SSPCA.
"The animal rescue crews thought it was a hoax at first," said Thorntons sales assistant Vicky McMillan. "But, when we assured them we were serious, they sent out the new girl."
SSPCA ambulance driver Fiona Thorburn, who started that morning following her training period with the animal welfare charity, was dispatched to check it out.
She said: "I was doubtful, to say the least, because it was my first day on call by myself and I thought someone was winding me up.
"But, sure enough, when I got there, the pigeon was covered in chocolate and was unable to fly.
"The staff had originally shooed it out of the shop but later noticed the chocolate had dried to its tail feathers, meaning it could only walk.
"I caught it in a net and took it to our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife where it is recovering well."
Rescue Centre Manager Colin Seddon added: "Because pigeons live in the street, they often get themselves into all sorts of trouble and this isn't the first we've cared for. However, this is the first I've ever heard of that has managed to cover itself in chocolate.
"It was easy enough to clean and after a bit of rest we'll release it, probably in a week or so."
While the bird survived the ordeal virtually intact, Thorntons was forced to throw out more than GBP 50 worth of chocolate that was ruined in the process.
Staff also revealed that Wonka was not the first pigeon to wreak havoc in their store.
Ms McMillan, 25, who lives in Haymarket, added: "About two years ago there were three birds that flew into the shop and landed in the chocolate fountain. That cost us over GBP 100 worth of chocolate.
"Short of keeping the doors closed there's very little we can do to keep them out, but it doesn't happen very often."
Sunday, 18 October 2009
NEWS: Dog Day Afternoon
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
July 31, 2008
A DOG-OWNER'S ill-fated attempt to rescue her pet from the Water of Leith when it fell 20 feet from Dean Path resulted in a full-scale fire and rescue response yesterday.
The unnamed woman was out for a walk across the river at around lunchtime yesterday when the dog apparently fell from the path down to the river below.
It is the latest in a recent spate of incidents where crews have been called to rescue distressed animals, including a dog stranded down a badger sett and a newborn kitten rescued by a hoover from a kitchen pipe.
In the latest incident yesterday, the distressed woman watched as the dog fought against the current with two broken legs, and found itself high and dry on an island in the middle of the river. The woman ran down a staircase by the side of Dean Bridge, leading to the waterside footpath, and risked her own life in the strong current to join the dog on the island.
However, she discovered that she was unable to make it back on her own and fire crews were called.
A fire crew from Crewe Toll initially attended, and was soon followed by line rescue crews from Tollcross and Newcraighall, and a standby water rescue crew from Marionville. Crews were able to string a line across the river and tie it to a tree on the island, whereupon fire crews escorted the woman and the stricken animal across the river.
The dog was taken to a nearby vet in a car driven by the woman's sister.
Group Manager David Mackie, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, said the woman's rescue attempt could have landed her in serious trouble.
He said: "Crossing a river at any time could put you in danger. Obviously this time the woman managed to get across despite the strong current, and couldn't find her way back.
"Clearly this wasn't a safe way to cross the river.
"The currents were particularly strong at this time of day, and the fire crew was able to escort her back. While a number of fire officers were deployed, we believe that this was an appropriate response to the difficulties this woman was facing."
One eyewitness said: "It was quite an elaborate pet rescue just to save a dog.
"I'm amazed it wasn't swept away after the flash floods last night but it's obviously a clever dog."
Last month firefighters had to suck out a day-old kitten who had become trapped in a kitchen pipe in Dunbar with a vacuum cleaner with a sock tied round the end.
And days later they were again to the rescue when a dog found itself stuck in a badger hole in Davidson's Mains.
Edinburgh Evening News
July 31, 2008
A DOG-OWNER'S ill-fated attempt to rescue her pet from the Water of Leith when it fell 20 feet from Dean Path resulted in a full-scale fire and rescue response yesterday.
The unnamed woman was out for a walk across the river at around lunchtime yesterday when the dog apparently fell from the path down to the river below.
It is the latest in a recent spate of incidents where crews have been called to rescue distressed animals, including a dog stranded down a badger sett and a newborn kitten rescued by a hoover from a kitchen pipe.
In the latest incident yesterday, the distressed woman watched as the dog fought against the current with two broken legs, and found itself high and dry on an island in the middle of the river. The woman ran down a staircase by the side of Dean Bridge, leading to the waterside footpath, and risked her own life in the strong current to join the dog on the island.
However, she discovered that she was unable to make it back on her own and fire crews were called.
A fire crew from Crewe Toll initially attended, and was soon followed by line rescue crews from Tollcross and Newcraighall, and a standby water rescue crew from Marionville. Crews were able to string a line across the river and tie it to a tree on the island, whereupon fire crews escorted the woman and the stricken animal across the river.
The dog was taken to a nearby vet in a car driven by the woman's sister.
Group Manager David Mackie, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, said the woman's rescue attempt could have landed her in serious trouble.
He said: "Crossing a river at any time could put you in danger. Obviously this time the woman managed to get across despite the strong current, and couldn't find her way back.
"Clearly this wasn't a safe way to cross the river.
"The currents were particularly strong at this time of day, and the fire crew was able to escort her back. While a number of fire officers were deployed, we believe that this was an appropriate response to the difficulties this woman was facing."
One eyewitness said: "It was quite an elaborate pet rescue just to save a dog.
"I'm amazed it wasn't swept away after the flash floods last night but it's obviously a clever dog."
Last month firefighters had to suck out a day-old kitten who had become trapped in a kitchen pipe in Dunbar with a vacuum cleaner with a sock tied round the end.
And days later they were again to the rescue when a dog found itself stuck in a badger hole in Davidson's Mains.
NEWS: Woof!
Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
June 13, 2008
WHEN Buster the dog got trapped in a hole, it looked as if it would take every tool at the fire service's disposal to free him.
Flushed with success after rescuing a cat from a sink pipe using a vacuum cleaner, the firefighters set about freeing the troublesome terrier from his hiding place in a protected badger sett.
But after deploying a major incident unit, complete with the sort of gear normally reserved for locating earthquake survivors, the firefighters were forced to abandon their search - only for six-year-old Buster to simply crawl out of his own accord.
Fire crews from Newcraighall used a tiny camera mounted on a long flexible cable to try and find the lakeland cross terrier after it crawled into the hole in Davidson's Mains Park yesterday.
The same unit had saved a six-hour-old kitten earlier in the week after it became trapped in a Dunbar kitchen.
But they had to abandon their efforts after being told they could not dig up the protected badger habitat.
Buster's owner Dougie Caddow, 57, said: "I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd never see him again.
"I didn't know it at the time, but friends were saying behind the scenes that it was a 100-to-one chance he'd make it out of the sett alive."
After the firefighters gave up the search, Mr Caddow returned home only to hear that his beloved pet had emerged.
Mr Caddow added: "I had just got him back from the kennels where he was staying while I was on holiday. I felt bad for leaving him so I bought him a big sirloin steak. After the worry he's caused me he'll be getting none of that today."
The firefighters had been preparing to start digging in search of the dog but were prevented from doing so by an Scottish SPCA officer who said they would require clearance from Scottish Natural Heritage.
Senior Inspector John Toule, of Edinburgh SSPCA, said: "Badgers are a protected species and authorities require permission from SNH before they are allowed to disturb badger setts for any reason.
"In this case, because the crews did not have a definite location, that clearance would have been unlikely."
On Monday, 26-year-old Claire Coutts was reunited with her newborn kitten after curiosity almost got the better of the animal and it needed to be sucked out of a pipe using a nozzle from a Hoover with a sock placed over the end.
Colin Emerson, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Fire crews have been called to rescue animals three times in the last week, which is quite unusual.
"We normally attend around 15 to 20 incidents a year. We were called out to rescue a cow that had become trapped in a fence, but by the time we got there the cow had managed to free itself.
"It provides valuable training should a major incident occur and they find themselves dealing with a human who is trapped."
Edinburgh Evening News
June 13, 2008
WHEN Buster the dog got trapped in a hole, it looked as if it would take every tool at the fire service's disposal to free him.
Flushed with success after rescuing a cat from a sink pipe using a vacuum cleaner, the firefighters set about freeing the troublesome terrier from his hiding place in a protected badger sett.
But after deploying a major incident unit, complete with the sort of gear normally reserved for locating earthquake survivors, the firefighters were forced to abandon their search - only for six-year-old Buster to simply crawl out of his own accord.
Fire crews from Newcraighall used a tiny camera mounted on a long flexible cable to try and find the lakeland cross terrier after it crawled into the hole in Davidson's Mains Park yesterday.
The same unit had saved a six-hour-old kitten earlier in the week after it became trapped in a Dunbar kitchen.
But they had to abandon their efforts after being told they could not dig up the protected badger habitat.
Buster's owner Dougie Caddow, 57, said: "I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd never see him again.
"I didn't know it at the time, but friends were saying behind the scenes that it was a 100-to-one chance he'd make it out of the sett alive."
After the firefighters gave up the search, Mr Caddow returned home only to hear that his beloved pet had emerged.
Mr Caddow added: "I had just got him back from the kennels where he was staying while I was on holiday. I felt bad for leaving him so I bought him a big sirloin steak. After the worry he's caused me he'll be getting none of that today."
The firefighters had been preparing to start digging in search of the dog but were prevented from doing so by an Scottish SPCA officer who said they would require clearance from Scottish Natural Heritage.
Senior Inspector John Toule, of Edinburgh SSPCA, said: "Badgers are a protected species and authorities require permission from SNH before they are allowed to disturb badger setts for any reason.
"In this case, because the crews did not have a definite location, that clearance would have been unlikely."
On Monday, 26-year-old Claire Coutts was reunited with her newborn kitten after curiosity almost got the better of the animal and it needed to be sucked out of a pipe using a nozzle from a Hoover with a sock placed over the end.
Colin Emerson, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Fire crews have been called to rescue animals three times in the last week, which is quite unusual.
"We normally attend around 15 to 20 incidents a year. We were called out to rescue a cow that had become trapped in a fence, but by the time we got there the cow had managed to free itself.
"It provides valuable training should a major incident occur and they find themselves dealing with a human who is trapped."
NEWS: SOOOOOOK!
By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
June 9, 2008
RESCUING cats stuck up trees has long been regarded as one of the fire service's more quirky public services - but when one six-hour-old kitten became trapped in a kitchen pipe it called for some fast thinking.
Fire crews and a major incident unit were dispatched to a house in Kellie Place, Dunbar, last night after the newborn kitten strayed into a pipe under the sink.
One specially adapted appliance carrying the latest rescue equipment including an ultra-light fibreoptic camera attended.
But when crews located the puss in peril the fire crew's solution was a little more basic.
A fire spokeswoman said: "The crews used a nozzle from a Hoover with a sock placed over the end to remove the kitten from the pipe. The sock was used to catch the kitten at the end of the pipe."
Owner Claire Coutts, a 26-year-old housewife, said the kitten was one of four born to one-year-old Alvin yesterday at 4.15pm. By late evening one of the litter was missing.
She said: "It was about 11.15pm and I could hear this whining coming from beneath the dishwasher.
"I counted the kittens and realised that one of them had gone missing, and that it had become trapped in a pipe underneath the sink.
"We tried various ways to get it out and I could almost get my arm down the hole but the kitten had become trapped far down the hole and round the bend.
"The fire brigade suggested tearing out the units and ripping up the floorboards.
"I said to them there must be an easier way to get the kitten out than destroying my kitchen so we decided to get the Hoover out and see if we could suck it out the hole. We put a sock over the end of the Hoover, stuck it down the hole and out it popped."
Crew manager Caroline Ellis, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service's Newcraighall Major Incident Unit, said: "The kitten's mother had obviously made its bed under there and went there to give birth. By the time we got there the cat and its bed had already been removed, so we've got no idea how the kitten got into the pipe.
"We decided that we were being a little too gentle, and after several frustrating tries we just jammed the nozzle into the pipe and got it as close to the cat's head as we could.
"We switched the Hoover on and the cat just went 'soooook!' up into the nozzle. We knew it was in there because the Hoover was struggling, so we pulled it out and there it was at the end of the nozzle safe and well."
Edinburgh Evening News
June 9, 2008
RESCUING cats stuck up trees has long been regarded as one of the fire service's more quirky public services - but when one six-hour-old kitten became trapped in a kitchen pipe it called for some fast thinking.
Fire crews and a major incident unit were dispatched to a house in Kellie Place, Dunbar, last night after the newborn kitten strayed into a pipe under the sink.
One specially adapted appliance carrying the latest rescue equipment including an ultra-light fibreoptic camera attended.
But when crews located the puss in peril the fire crew's solution was a little more basic.
A fire spokeswoman said: "The crews used a nozzle from a Hoover with a sock placed over the end to remove the kitten from the pipe. The sock was used to catch the kitten at the end of the pipe."
Owner Claire Coutts, a 26-year-old housewife, said the kitten was one of four born to one-year-old Alvin yesterday at 4.15pm. By late evening one of the litter was missing.
She said: "It was about 11.15pm and I could hear this whining coming from beneath the dishwasher.
"I counted the kittens and realised that one of them had gone missing, and that it had become trapped in a pipe underneath the sink.
"We tried various ways to get it out and I could almost get my arm down the hole but the kitten had become trapped far down the hole and round the bend.
"The fire brigade suggested tearing out the units and ripping up the floorboards.
"I said to them there must be an easier way to get the kitten out than destroying my kitchen so we decided to get the Hoover out and see if we could suck it out the hole. We put a sock over the end of the Hoover, stuck it down the hole and out it popped."
Crew manager Caroline Ellis, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service's Newcraighall Major Incident Unit, said: "The kitten's mother had obviously made its bed under there and went there to give birth. By the time we got there the cat and its bed had already been removed, so we've got no idea how the kitten got into the pipe.
"We decided that we were being a little too gentle, and after several frustrating tries we just jammed the nozzle into the pipe and got it as close to the cat's head as we could.
"We switched the Hoover on and the cat just went 'soooook!' up into the nozzle. We knew it was in there because the Hoover was struggling, so we pulled it out and there it was at the end of the nozzle safe and well."
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