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Dogs may be at risk of lead poisoning after “very high” concentrations from shotgun pellets were found in raw pheasant pet food.

After testing out samples of raw pheasant dog food, researchers from the University of Cambridge discovered that the majority contained high levels of lead, which could put dogs’ health at risk if they eat it frequently.

The researchers looked at 90 samples of UK dog food products and found that more than three-quarters – 77% – had lead concentrations higher than the maximum residue level (MRL) permitted by law.

How was the study conducted?

The Cambridge scientists tested five pheasant-based dog food products. Three of these were raw meat, one was dried pheasant and partridge, and the other was processed tinned pheasant and goose.

A further three equivalent chicken-based products (raw, dried and processed) were also tested for the study.

Lead concentrations above the MRL were found in the dried pheasant-based product but at levels lower than that found in the raw meat.

Neither of the chicken or tinned pheasant-based products contained unacceptable levels of lead.

The three raw pheasant-based dog food products had lead concentrations which were approximately 245, 135 and 49 times higher than the MRL.

The study, published in the journal Ambio, found that the overall mean average in raw pheasant dog food was found to be 34 times higher than in pheasant sold for human consumption.

Professor Debbie Pain, of Cambridge University’s Zoology Department, said: “We were already aware that lead concentrations in pheasant meat sold for human consumption are often far higher than would be permitted in other meats like chicken, beef or pork.

“However, we were surprised to find that lead concentrations in raw pheasant dog food products were so much higher.”

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The dangers of lead poisoning

Lead poisoning can be very dangerous for both pets and humans, with its effects particularly focused on the nervous system – high levels can lead to convulsions, coma and even death.

Despite the dietary danger, lead shot can be used legally to kill game birds, like pheasants, in the UK.

Most pheasants are eaten by people but some are minced and used in pet food.

As the meat is minced for pet food, this then creates small particles in the meat, increasing the chances for it to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Dogs eating food with such high concentrations of lead remain at risk of harm to their health, with puppies being particularly vulnerable – this is due to the developing nervous system.

Are raw meat diets becoming more popular?

Researchers found that raw meat diets for pets are becoming increasingly popular across the UK, which is home to an estimated 13 million dogs and 12 million cats.

After analysing online suppliers, the study found that raw pheasant pet food was sold by 34% of the 50 online raw pet food suppliers they checked – 71% of these said the meat may contain shot.

Professor Rhys Green, co-author of the study, said: “The fact that most samples from three randomly sampled raw pheasant pet food products had very high lead concentrations, and that our recent research on shot types used to kill pheasants found that 94% are shot with lead, suggests that this is a far broader issue than for just these three products.

“However, some producers may source pheasants that have not been shot with lead, and owners could ask about this when buying pet food.”

Symptoms of lead poisoning in dogs

It can be hard to spot, but here are a few common symptoms of lead toxicity that dog owners should look out for:

• Decreased appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Regurgitation

• Increased thirst

• Diarrhoea

• Weakness

• Shortness of breath

• Muscle Tremors

• Blindness

• Seizures

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Ukraine presses Russia for 30-day ceasefire as Starmer among leaders in Kyiv for talks

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Ukraine presses Russia for 30-day ceasefire as Starmer among leaders in Kyiv for talks

Sir Keir Starmer has joined other European leaders in Kyiv to press Russia to agree an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

The prime minister is attending the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, recently-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

It is the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled to Ukraine at the same time – arriving in the capital by train – with their meeting hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on board a train to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where all three will hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, May 9, 2025. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS
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Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz travelling in the saloon car of a special train to Kyiv. Pic: Reuters

Leaders arrive in Kyiv by train. Pic: PA
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Leaders arrive in Kyiv by train. Pic: PA

It comes after Donald Trump called for “ideally” a 30-day ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, and warned that if any pause in the fighting is not respected “the US and its partners will impose further sanctions”.

Security and defence analyst Michael Clarke told Sky News presenter Samantha Washington the European leaders are “rowing in behind” the US president, who referred to his “European allies” for the first time in this context in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“So this meeting is all about heaping pressure on the Russians to go along with the American proposal,” he said.

“It’s the closest the Europeans and the US have been for about three months on this issue.”

Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron among world leaders in Kyiv. Pic: AP
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Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron among world leaders in Kyiv. Pic: AP

Trump calls for ceasefire. Pic: Truth Social
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Trump calls for ceasefire. Pic: Truth Social

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies are ready for a “full, unconditional ceasefire” for at least 30 days starting on Monday.

Ahead of the meeting on Saturday, Sir Keir, Mr Macron, Mr Tusk and Mr Merz released a joint statement.

European leaders show solidarity – but await Trump’s backing


Dominic Waghorn - Diplomatic editor

Dominic Waghorn

International affairs editor

@DominicWaghorn

The hope is Russia’s unilateral ceasefire, such as it’s worth, can be extended for a month to give peace a chance.

But ahead of the meeting, Ukrainian sources told Sky News they are still waiting for President Donald Trump to put his full weight behind the idea.

The US leader has said a 30-day ceasefire would be ideal, but has shown no willingness yet for putting pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin to agree.

The Russians say a ceasefire can only come after a peace deal can be reached.

European allies are still putting their hopes in a negotiated end to the war despite Moscow’s intransigence and President Trump’s apparent one-sided approach favouring Russia.

Ukrainians would prefer to be given enough economic and military support to secure victory.

But in over three years, despite its massive economic superiority to Russia and its access to more advanced military technology, Europe has not found the political will to give Kyiv the means to win.

Until they do, Vladimir Putin may decide it is still worth pursuing this war despite its massive cost in men and materiel on both sides.

“We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,” they said.

“Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.”

Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in March. Pic: AP
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Sir Keir and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in March. Pic: AP

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Putin’s Victory Day parade explained

The leaders said they were “ready to support peace talks as soon as possible”.

But they warned that they would continue to “ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine” until Moscow agrees to a lasting ceasefire.

“We are clear the bloodshed must end, Russia must stop its illegal invasion, and Ukraine must be able to prosper as a safe, secure and sovereign nation within its internationally recognised borders for generations to come,” their statement added.

“We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine.”

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The European leaders are set to visit the Maidan, a central square in Ukraine’s capital where flags represent those who died in the war.

They are also expected to host a virtual meeting for other leaders in the “coalition of the willing” to update them on progress towards a peacekeeping force.

Military officers from around 30 countries have been involved in drawing up plans for a coalition, which would provide a peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire being agreed between Russia and Ukraine.

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This force “would help regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces after any peace deal and strengthen confidence in any future peace”, according to Number 10.

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Special constable jailed after taking pictures of dying man from bodycam footage

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Special constable jailed after taking pictures of dying man from bodycam footage

A special constable has been jailed after taking pictures on his phone from bodycam footage showing a dying man.

Former police volunteer William Heggs, 23, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Leicester Crown Court on Friday after showing the photos of victim William Harty, 28, to a female colleague and storing them on his Snapchat account.

Mr Harty was found seriously injured in a residential street in Leicester on 25 October 2021 and Heggs had attended the scene, helping with CPR before paramedics arrived.

Mr Harty died in hospital a day later and the man responsible for his injuries, his brother-in-law Martin Casey, was subsequently convicted of his manslaughter.

Heggs showed the pictures he had taken of bodycam footage of Mr Harty’s body to a Leicestershire Police constable, who reported Heggs and said she did not like seeing blood.

His phone was seized and officers discovered other photographs and video clips of bodyworn footage of incidents Heggs had attended on duty, including of a knife seizure, use of baton and pepper spray, and a man with an injured hand receiving first aid.

He also took pictures of a police computer screen, showing details of crimes and suspects, without consent.

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Heggs stored the materials in a Snapchat folder and disclosed graphic details – most of which were not in the public domain – about the injuries to a woman who was killed in a road traffic collision he had attended, to a friend on the social media platform.

Heggs was suspended from the force in November 2021 and resigned in October 2024 before pleading guilty to 11 computer misuse and data protection offences this March.

Widow Mandy Casey. Pic: PA
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William Harty’s widow Mandy Casey. Pic: PA

‘He has traumatised me’

Mr Harty’s widow, Mandy Casey, said in a victim impact statement read to the court that Heggs “took (her) husband’s dignity when he was most vulnerable”.

“You don’t take someone’s dignity and pride from them on their deathbed.”

She continued: “When I found out special constable Heggs had done this, I just wanted to ask why. He has traumatised me. I feel I will never know if he showed them to others.”

Ms Casey said she was still scared that photos of her husband’s body might appear on social media.

She added that she had lost trust in the police.

Public trust in police ‘significantly undermined’

Judge Timothy Spencer told Heggs, who has autism and ADHD, that he was “probably too immature to be working as a police officer” as he handed down the sentence.

He said Heggs had received “extensive training”, including on the importance of data protection, and knew he should only share materials for “a genuine policing purpose”.

Heggs’s actions had “significantly undermined” public trust and confidence in police, according to the judge.

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Malcolm McHaffie, from the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “William Heggs abused the public’s trust in the office he held as a special police constable.

“He violated the dignity of the deceased victims for no apparent reason other than what could be considered personal fascination and to gain credibility among his peers.”

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Man charged with murder after 87-year-old dies following alleged robbery

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Man charged with murder after 87-year-old dies following alleged robbery

A man has been charged with the murder of an 87-year-old after an alleged robbery in north London, police say.

Peter Augustine, 58, of Hornsey, is accused of killing pensioner John Mackey in Manor House.

Augustine appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with murder and robbery.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey next week.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to a report of a robbery on Goodchild Road just before 6pm on Tuesday.

The London Ambulance Service attended the scene and an 87-year-old man was taken to hospital, where he died on Thursday.

The victim’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

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Speaking at the scene on Friday, neighbour Sandra Murphy, 65, described Mr Mackey as a “beautiful, kind man”, who “would do anything for anyone”.

“He was so loved around here. No-one would have a bad word to say about John,” she said.

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