animal

Upon closer scrutiny, the ferocious animal appeared to be a person in a costume, detectives said.

The zoo is now joining with animal welfare charities and other campaigners in calling for tighter restrictions on fireworks.

Authorities believe the virus was acquired via an animal source; however, the teen was not on a farm nor near any known wild birds or backyard poultry — common reservoirs for the disease.

A protest took place outside the court before the hearing and animal rights campaigners were allowed in the gallery.

Det Ch Insp Ben Arrowsmith said it was the first time in British legal history that "charges relating to animal cruelty have been brought for offences that took place abroad, where the offenders are in the UK".