Cat killer who's claimed more than nine lives: Neighbours employ security guard in hunt for poisoner

By ANDREW LEVY

Cat killer: Caroline Middlebrook's cat Cleo, who died in October of last year, is among those poisoned with anti-freeze in the Essex village of Runwell


With eight dead and two missing from the same area in little over two years, it’s a crime rate that rivals Midsomer Murders.

No cat is safe, it seems, from the Runwell Poisoner.

All that is known about the culprit is that he or she poisons the victims using anti-freeze, whose sweet taste attracts cats but which contains glycol, causing kidney failure when it crystallises inside.



Cat killer: Animal lovers in Runwell, Essex, have paid thousands so that security guards can patrol the streets after a spate of anti-freeze deaths that included Paige, pictured


Three of the dead pets belonged to Terry Lewis, 30, a bank project manager who lives in Saxon Close, Runwell – a village near Wickford, Essex.

Three-year-old Leo's death earlier this month followed those of six-year-old Paige in October last year and one-year-old Phoebe in October 2009.

Mr Lewis, who lives with his partner Hayley Williams, 28, a software developer, spent £10,000 on vets' bills and dialysis in an attempt to save his stricken pets and put up posters around the neighbourhood to alert other cat owners.


Victims: Two of Hayley Williams and Terry Lewis' cats Pheobe, left, and Leo, who both died from poisoning


At one point this year the posters were torn down five days running so he spent £3,000 hiring security guards. But they failed to catch the culprit.

'I think the police should launch a murder inquiry,' he said.

'If someone’s prepared to hurt animals you don’t know what else they might be prepared to do.'


Gone: Caroline Middlebrook's cat Noodle who was put on medication after being poisoned but died last month


Missing: Carol Howarth's cat Roo, left, disappeared in December and another of the Howarth's cats, Tigger, has not been seen since March


A police community support officer carried out house-to-house inquiries after the death toll began to mount, but found no clue to the killer's identity.

A spokesman said: 'We are keen to hear from anyone who thinks their pet may have been subject to anything like this.'


Scene of the crimes: The little Essex village of Runwell is usually a quiet place


Map showing where the attacks have taken place in Essex

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Best hoof forward: The 11 police horses in the running to escort William and Kate's carriage

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

But do their coats match? The eleven horses of the Metropolitan Police's Grey Escort, nine of them will escort William and Kate's carriage from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace on Friday


William and Kate's first journey as husband and wife will be escorted by nine of the coolest heads the Metropolitan Police has to offer - the force's famous grey horses.

But while the matter of invites has long been settled for human guests at the wedding, the animals of the Met's Grey Escort are still waiting to learn if they will have the honour of accompanying the royal couple's carriage.

The force has selected 11 horses with the calmest temperaments to escort the royal carriage from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the wedding but only nine will actually step onto the Mall on the big day.

And while guests must worry about what to wear - the horses of the Grey Escort are also assessed on whether their coat will match their peers.


Hard at work: The horses are being put through their paces at the Met's mounted division headquarters in Ditton, Surrey, left. Lucy Davies holding her mount Benjamin in the ceremonial dress, right


Grey Escorts are used in several high-profile ceremonial events.

All the animals, which have to be grey in colour, are used as operational police horses and work on general patrols and cover events such as football matches.

On the big day the horses and officers will not purely be used in a ceremonial capacity, but they will also assist in the event of an incident.

A selection process has identified the best 11 greys for the job. They have demonstrated a calm temperament and are now in the process of being put through various exercises and routines.

The extra two horses have been selected to ensure there is sufficient cover.

The Mounted Branch has led processions for many years including Princess Diana's wedding, the Duke of York's wedding, the funeral of the Queen Mother, Trooping the Colour and some state visits.


Long-standing role: The Met's Grey Escort at the Queen's coronation. The horses are a central part of many official engagements


Standing by: The horses will also be used to control crowds should anything go wrong on the big day

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A right pair of lovebirds

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Pukker up: Two puffins kiss during their annual mating ritual on Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire in west Wales


These stunning photos show a pair of lovebirds happily 'Puffin-up' for a kiss as part of their mating ritual.

Wildlife photographer Craig Jones waited patiently to capture the close-up photos of the puffins' annual breeding season.

For the best part of three months every year, between late March and early June, Craig spends his time capturing the puffins at Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales.


Meal time: A puffin clutches four sand eels in its beak before feeding them to tiny chicks during mating season


Craig, who first discovered his fascination of wild life when he was just eight-years-old when his mother bought him a book called Animal World, says puffins are his favourite bird to photograph.

He said: 'I have always loved the puffin, the Clown Of The Sea, as I call them.

'I have taken photos of puffins for years now and carry on doing so as their character and beautiful markings have always captivated me.

'They spend eight months at sea then come ashore to find their mate and go through their bonding routine which I have been lucky enough to see. Going through a heart-warming series and displays of affection, cementing their bond with each other.


Competition: A small group of male birds compete to win a female's affections in one of the more aggressive parts of the breeding season


He said: 'I've always had a love and fascination of the natural world from a young age.

'I've always loved capturing nature through photography, as a method to capture the beautiful things I witness in nature, placing a frame around something I have seen, letting the image convey the true beauty of that moment in time, that my words could never describe.'


Flying high: A puffin soars above Skomer Island as the mating season gets underway, with males birds competing to find a female match


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Meet the robin that just loves to pose for the camera

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Lights, camera, action: Nicky has been able to take some stunning shots of the bird in flight


It can be one of the hardest subjects to capture on film.

As any photographer will tell you, taking pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat requires patience, dedication and the ability to stay hidden for hours until that vital split-second moment when your subject eventually steps into the frame.

Or at least that's normally the case. But for amateur snapper Nicky Hepburn, photographing one particular animal involves nothing more than making sure her camera is primed and ready.


For the 34-year-old has struck up a remarkable relationship with a robin that loves to pose for her.

Whenever Nicky steps out into her garden, the confident bird arrives right on cue and appears more than willing to model for the camera.


Reliant robin: The bird poses for the camera with a freshly-caught garden grub


Ready for my close-up: The bird enjoys perching on Nicky's camera while she sets up the next shot


'I first noticed him when I was gardening hopping around my feet while I was digging and soon he seemed to be around all the time,' Nicky, from Havant, Hants. said.

'I thought I might be able to take some pictures of him but couldn't believe it when he started jumping up and down in front of the camera. Now he is so tame he even sits on my lens and wherever I set the camera up he just seems to pose for the pictures.


Hitting the mark: The robin makes a perfect landing in front of Nicky's lens


Flexing for the camera: The robin shows off its wingspan


'I am a keen photographer but never thought I would be able to capture such magnificent pictures. They are easily the best I have ever taken.'

Although regarded as a winter bird, native robins are visible across the UK throughout the year. They are also fiercely territorial and regard suburban gardens as prime real estate.

They can be extremely tame and have been known to nest in cars, kettles and coat pockets.



Say cheese: Although robins have a reputation for being tame, this particular specimen appears to relish its interaction with the camera

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Alligator! Women flees home after finding unwanted visitor in her guest bedroom

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Don't be fooled by the smile: Alexis Dunbar came home to find this six-foot alligator in her guest bedroom. He also visited the bathroom during his stay


House guests are always a bit of a pain, especially if they are uninvited - and even more so if there's not a lot you can do to convince them to leave.

So spare a thought for Alexis Dunbar, who returned to her Palmetto home in Manatee County, Florida, to find a prehistoric killer making himself comfortable in her guest bedroom.

The uninvited guest was a six-foot alligator, and - despite his smile in the photos - he wasn't in the best of moods.


Injured: The gator had managed to injure himself, either outside or while trying to squeeze himself through the cat flap of Miss Dunbar's home


Miss Dunbar recalled the hair-raising incident, which began after she returned home on Saturday.

She told Bay News 9's Robert Hahn: 'I look to the right and there's an alligator in my guest bedroom.'

Miss Dunbar was not going to hang around, so immediately left the house. But she suddenly remembered her beloved pet cats.

She said: 'My cats are like my daughters. So I thought my cat was eaten. There was blood everywhere.'


Cornered: When help finallly arrived, it was a simple matter of making sure he didn't make a run for it as experts lassoed him


It turns out that the blood came from the gator itself, having either been injured outside or as he tried to squeeze himself through the cat flap of Miss Dunbar's door.

Both of her cats later emerged from their hiding places, shaken but not eaten.


Back in the great outdoors: Miss Dunbar's unwanted visitor was finally led out of the house and onto the front lawn, where he was made safe for transport

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The remarkable up-close pictures of wild foxes play-fighting and hunting

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Eyeball-to-eyeball: Amateur photographer Erik Tamis has captured this intimate picture of two foxes up close


An amateur photographer has captured these intimate pictures of a family of wild foxes playfighting and hunting, after years gaining their trust.

They are so comfortable with Erik Tamis that he has been able to get close enough to photograph them as they work, rest and play.

The 47-year-old waits in dunes for up to 12 hours so he can capture their day-to-day activities.


Play fight: Two foxes wrestle together, allowing Erik to get close after he built up a level of trust with the animals. They are kept in an Amsterdam nature reserve


Security guard Erik has photographed them fighting, playing, hunting and one time even managed to snap an image of a fox up a tree.

The foxes have become so relaxed around him that occasionally they will go up to him in order to steal his bag.

Spending time in close proximity to them, he has been able to establish the hierarchical structure. The family is made up of two parents and a son and daughter.

Erik, from Amsterdam, Holland, said: 'The foxes get so close to me it's just a matter of being in the right place and waiting for them to go hunting.


It's large fleshy pink tongue sticking out, this orange fox drinks from the water at the Amsterdam reserve. The family is made up of an adult and two children


'I enjoy photographing them because although some people don't agree with me, they're a beautiful animal.

'Their behaviour is amazing. I had no idea foxes could climb trees and was stunned when I witnessed it happen.


Family squabble: Security guard Erik has photographed them fighting, playing and hunting


Smile... Erik built up trust the pack and sometimes sits waiting for them for up to 12 hours before he can take a picture

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Flippin' heck: The dolphins that can jump as high as a double decker bus

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Making a splash: The playful pod of spotted dolphins show of with some spectacular aerial moves


These amazing pictures show a gang of young, spotted dolphins leaping an incredible 15 feet in the air - high enough to clear a double decker bus.

The six foot long marine mammals are jumping an astounding two and a half times their own body length.

Two boisterous juveniles are shown throwing their weight about in order to teach the one smaller calf how to assert itself within the pod of dolphins they belong to.


And back down we go: The Atlantic Spotted Dolphins were captured by British photographer, Anthony Pierce, 30, from Leeds.


Watch me fly: A spotted dolphin rockets high into the air as it's friends play nearby


The rarely seen images of three spotted dolphins leaping together were taken by a British photographer, Anthony Pierce, 30, from Leeds.

Anthony was visiting friends who own a catamaran and research marine mammals off the coast of Pico Island in the Azores - the group of Portugese islands in the Atlantic.

'You can see leaping dolphins from a great distance - several miles away,' he explained.

'There are look out posts on the coast that can see for miles out to sea - they send out radio calls to let people know.


Synchronised flipping: Members of the pod of spotted dolphins line up for more aerial acrobatics


Gravity defying: Despite years of research scientists are still at a loss to explain how the dolphins are able to generate enough power to jump so high


'It is a very difficult shot to take because they're only above the water for a fraction of a second,' explained Anthony.

'I have to press the shutter down before they break through the surface in order to capture them - because they're so incredibly quick.

'I have to predict where they're going to be.

'Its' a fantastic experience - they're wild animals - not in a sanctuary or in a show somewhere.'

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At last – Larry the Downing St cat catches his first mouse

By SIMON WALTERS

Larry, the Downing Street cat, was seen climbing through the window from the garden with a mouse in his mouth on Friday


He took his time but at last Larry the Downing Street cat has earned his money – and caught a mouse.

Larry was recruited to No 10 in February in an effort to deal with its rodent problem.

And while the four-year-old tabby rapidly won the affections of David and Samantha Cameron – and particularly their children – he appeared to lack the killer instinct.

Week after week went by with no sign of any dead rats, mice or indeed anything, birds included.


Samantha Cameron's sketch of Larry eyeing his quarry outside the door of No 10. She did the drawing for the Winnicott Trust


However, all that changed on Friday when Larry was seen climbing in through a window from the Downing Street garden with a mouse in his mouth.

Seemingly happy to announce mission accomplished Larry dropped his briefly twitching catch at the feet of No 10’s ‘garden girl’ secretaries.

There were one or two squeals before the cat’s good work was recognised. Larry was smothered with pats of congratulation from staff, mainly in the hope that it would spur him on to greater deeds, and catch some of the black rats seen scuttling across the lawn.

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The amazing pet who can do nearly every household chore...

By RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON

Jesse the Jack Russell helps around the house with pretty much every household chore, and is easily able to open and shut cupboard doors

Many hands make light work, according to the saying, but these incredible pictures show that the same could be said about paws.

Jesse the Jack Russell helps around the house with pretty much every household chore and can even put his own dog bowl into the dishwasher.

His owner, Heather Brook, based in Hollywood, has trained him how to untie her shoelaces, take off her socks and put them in the washing machine.

Jesse is a real life version of Harvey, the dog that features on Thinkbox TV marketing company advert


The clever dog, pictured shutting the door after a chore, has also been taught to put things in the washing machine and dishwasher


Jesse, seen giving a shoulder massage to his owner, Heather Brook, is a real life version of Harvey, the dog that features on Thinkbox TV marketing company advert


In fact, so amazing is Jesse that he has also been trained how to stretch before he does exercises

including step aerobics.

His owner, Ms Brook said on her website: 'My relationship with Jesse is that of a best friend, teacher, and guide. All of Jesse’s education has been done by me. We work together as a team to achieve all of our goals.

'Jesse has taught me so much, and I am forever grateful to him. People and dogs can learn so much form one another, you just have to take the time, and be willing to listen to what your best friend has to say.

'Jesse and I focus on teaching behaviours, rather than training.


The Jack Russell, pictured about to open the blinds, has been taught using 'clicker training'


Jesse is more than happy to complete tasks around the house because he knows he will be rewarded with a treat by his owner afterwards


Useful Dog Tricks performed by Jesse



New Thinkbox Advert - Every home needs a Harvey


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The swan who has fallen in love… with a tractor

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The eight-year-old swan, called Schwani, has become very attached to a tractor


At least they can both claim to be outdoorsy types.

This swan appeared to be thinking outside the pond when it came to finding a soulmate - and fell for a shining blue tractor.

In the grounds of a hotel in Germany, an eight-year-old swan called Schwani has become somewhat infatuated with a farmyard machine.


Every time the tractor's engine roars into life, the swan, who lives in the grounds of a hotel in Germany, waddles over to say hello


The hotelier, Herman Josef Hericks, says Schwani just can't get enough of his mechanical companion - every time the tractor's engine roars into life, the swan waddles over to say hello.

Some have reasoned that it may be because Schwani was exposed to loud machines from a young age.

Mr Hericks told told the German newspaper Bild: 'Ever since we bought the tractor three years ago, Schwani has been following it everywhere it goes.'

There must be something in the water in the German region - a few years ago a female called Petra reportedly fell in love with a pedalo shaped like a swan.




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