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RSPCA People’s Choice Award winner announced
Sophie Green's winning photograph, 'Leap Frogs', shows Pepper the spaniel leaping over a fence with Mabel the cockapoo.
Eighteen-year-old Sophie Green takes the trophy.

A public vote has meant that Sophie Green, an 18-year-old from Northumberland, has won the RSPCA People’s Choice Award.

Her winning photograph is called ‘Leap Frogs’ and shows spaniel Pepper leaping over a fence at Blyth beach with her friend, Mabel the cockapoo.

The People’s Choice Award category, part of RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards, invited members of the public to vote for one of thirteen images to take the top spot. This year the category received 5,700 votes.

Ms Green’s photograph received the most votes, winning her £100 in Amazon vouchers and an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy.

She was also a runner-up in the RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards last December. Ms Green entered a portfolio of images picturing dogs doing agility – including Pepper peeking through the branches of a tree looking for her ball.

Ms Green has been taking photographs since she was 12 years old, with a particular focus on animals and nature.

She said: “I never expected to win! There were so many great photos shortlisted so to win is incredible. It’s so nice knowing my hard work has paid off and that so many people have liked and appreciated my photo. I’m just over the moon and my mum is so happy she immediately called my grandma and my dad too.

“This has inspired me to carry on doing photography in my spare time and maybe even to have a photography business on the side!”

Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA photographer and awards judge, said: “Sophie is a very worthy winner. We loved her portfolio featuring dogs in action during the competition in December so to see her winning the People’s Choice Awards is fantastic.

“Keep up the good work Sophie!”

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2024 will launch on Tuesday, 7 May, with an expert panel including RSPCA president Chris Packham.

The panel is urging young photographers to get involved, as the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. Photographers can register their interest at YPA24@rspca.org.uk for full information when the competition launches.

Image: ‘Leap Frog’ © RSPCA Young Photographers Awards/Sophie Green

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.