Tragedy at the Queen's Salute: Horse has to be put down in front of shocked crowd after being run over by a gun carriage in Hyde Park

By REBECCA ENGLISH


Behind the foreground rider the horse can be seen as it falls and entangles its legs in the wheels of the gun carriage


Members of the public looked on in horror today as an army horse died on parade during a freak accident in London’s Hyde Park.

The animal, called Murphy, was taking part in the Royal Gun Salute which takes place on June 2 each year to mark the coronation of the Queen.

Soldiers from the King’s Troop were lining up when the horse tripped while galloping and his legs became entangled in the wheels of a gun wagon, which then dragged him across the grass.


Soldiers rush to disentangle the fallen horse


Realising the animal is bady hurt, a soldier dashes off to find expert help


As he fell, Murphy suffered a ‘complex fracture’ of his leg and after being examined by an on-site vet was immediately put down by injection.

Devastated soldiers erected a green tent around the animal to shield onlookers from the distressing scene which took place shortly before mid-day.

An army spokesman told Mail Online: ‘Unfortunately the horse, called Murphy, became entangled in the gun carriage which was being moved into position and very sadly broke its leg.


A soldier looks up as he realises the severity of the animal's injury


Distraught, a horseman buries his face in his hands


'The vet officer in place immediately gave him pain relief but it was a very complex fracture and the only course of action was to put him down by injection. It was really the only course of action.

‘Everyone involved was naturally distressed. Murphy had been with the regiment for a very long time.

‘It was a tragic accident, one of those split second things that happen and he went down straight away.

‘It is very rare, though, that something like his should happen. No-one can remember anything like this happening before.’


n a shot taken from the watching spectators, soldiers from the King's Troop erect a barrier around the horse as a vet gives it a lethal injection


The salute, to mark the 59th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, was cancelled as a mark of respect.


Horse injury cancels Queen's 41-gun salute



source: dailymail

Kristen Stewart walks Robert Pattinson's dog in New York

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

New York walkies: Kristen Stewart takes Bear, the rescue dog she shares with boyfriend Robert Pattinson, out for a walk in New York's East Village


Being the pet of a famous movie star may have its perks, but being left behind while your owner travels the world isn't one of them.

Luckily for Robert Pattinson's dog Bear his owner's girlfriend Kristen Stewart is happy to take over walking duties when he isn't there.

With Pattinson was in London promoting Water For Elephants, Kirsten took the reigns as Bear's carer.


Leading the way: Bear and Kristen head out onto the street for their blustery walk


Dressed in skinny jeans, Converse trainers and a grey T-shirt, Kristen, 21, and her canine companion braved the wind and rain as they made their way across New York's East Village.

Clutching his blue lead, Kristen was careful to keep a tight hold on Bear as they set out across the city together.

Pattinson found Bear in an animal shelter while shooting Breaking Dawn in the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana.


Undeterred: Kristen and Bear don't let the New York weather stop them from heading out as they leave The Bowery Hotel on the Lower East Side


The dog was originally called Yogi Bear, but Pattinson and Kristen decided to shorten his name to Bear after Rob admitted he thought Yogi was 'a bit much.'

Kristen, and her canine companion, have been staying at one of the actress's favourite New York hotels, The Bowery, on the Lower East Side of the city.

Meanwhile, the Twilight actress is set to welcome a new man into her life after it was announced today that British actor, Sam Claflin, has been cast alongside her in Snow White and the Huntsman.

The 24-year-old actor will play Prince Charmant to Kristen's Snow White.


source: dailymail

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.




Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants splash water to children in celebration of the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Thai people celebrate New Year's from April 12 to April 14. The celebration is called the Songkran Festival and it is known across the globe for being a holiday where people play with water.




Thai children spray water each others during the water festival or commonly known as the Songkran festival to mark the New Year, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. The annual festival is a mixture of religion and chaos involving heavy drinking and water fights.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Thai people pour water on a statue of Buddha as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand' southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.



A Thai woman parades on a float as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Gettyimages

Back in his owner's arms, the tsunami dog who survived three weeks at sea on wrecked house

Back where she belongs: The plucky dog was finally reunited with her owner, who alerted police after spotting her on TV


The lucky dog rescued from a roof drifting off Japanese coast for three weeks after the tsunami has finally been reunited with her owner.

Members of the Japan Coast Guard spotted the stricken pet - who had drifted nearly 2km offshore - during an aerial search of the area.

The two-year-old dog, called Ban, had an emotional reunion with her female owner after the woman spotted her on television.

Ban had survived for three weeks after the tsunami when coastguards spotted her while searching at sea for human survivors.

She was found drifting some 1.8km (1.1 miles) off Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture, one of the Japanese areas hit worst by the disaster.

Local television showed showed pictures of the dog scampering around the roof of the house before it disappeared inside through a hole in the roof.


The emotional reunion came after the dog survived for three weeks on its own out at sea


It is thought the roof had become detached and washed out to sea by receding waters from the tsunami, which struck northeast Japan on March 11.

Her owner recognised the dog on TV and alerted authorities, who reunited woman and pet yesterday.

The pair were reunited at an animal care centre where the dog was being looked after.
The dog's owner, a woman who did not wish to be named, said: 'We'll never let go of her.


Against all odds: The dog appears to have survived by clinging to a house that had been swept away by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11


'I saw the rescue on the news, and knew it was her. I knew her right away, from her face.'

Toshiro Suzuki, head of the animal shelter, said: 'I'm happy for the reunion, after they were separated by the disaster.'


Japan 'tsunami dog' Ban reunited with owner after surviving at sea



source: dailymail

My, what similar 'coats' you have! Amanda Seyfried colour co-ordinates with pet dog

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ever the devoted pet owner, Seyfried made the perhaps unwitting homage to Finn's beautiful colouring on a trip to doggy day-care.


It's often said that owners grow to look their pets, or is it the pets that start to resemble the owner?

And yesterday actress Amanda Seyfried apparently took a tip out of her beloved Aussie Shepherd, Finn's style book.

The 25-year-old Red Riding Hood star is rarely seen without the pooch and yesterday, she had chosen a beige and cream outfit that mirrored the dog's coat.

When not able to be by the hound's side herself, the former child model is keen to ensure that her companion is well looked after.

Seyfried adopted Finn as a puppy last year after her split from British actor Dominic Cooper, 32 , and soon decreed she no longer needed a man.


Best friends: Seyfriend drops her beloved Aussie Shepherd at doggy day care


She declared that instead, the new pup was to be 'the love of her life.'

That didn't stop her getting together with fellow actor, Ryan Phillippe, 36 , at Kate Hudson's Halloween party last year.

However, the hunky Phillippe has failed to usurp Finn as the number one male in the Big Love star's life.


Two of a kind: Red Riding Hood star Seyfried isn't afraid of her wolf


She is rarely pictured without her four-legged friend.

Finn even accompanied Seyfried and Phillippe on a romantic week in Montecito near Santa Barbara last weekend.

The break raised eyebrows as they chose a ranch just half an hour from where Phillippe's ex-wife Reese Witherspoon was getting married.

It has been revealed since that the doting dad - who has Ava,11, and Deacon, seven , with Reese - was minding his daughter's German Shepherd.

No doubt he needed some back up after hearing that there would once again be three of them on this trip.


Reunited: Seyfriend was back on a walk with Finn this morning


Today she was back with Finn again, this time capitulating to the Los Angeles heatwave in tiny denim shorts and a black T-shirt.

The pair still looked strangely alike as they trotted in the heat, however.
Maybe it's the similar glossy manes...

So much for man's best friend, this pup loves to stand by his woman.



Faithful friend: Finn protects a scantily-clad Seyfried as she enjoys the LA heatwave


source: dailymail

'Vile kidnapper': Charlie Sheen threatens ex-wife Denise Richards with napalm in row over a dog

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Accused: Charlie Sheen has accused ex-wife Denise Richards of stealing his two dogs (not believed to be the ones pictured under her arm in in the pet carrier yesterday)


Apart from an impromptu visit to a chat show, he's been lying low for a couple of weeks and has restrained from his daily live streaming video rant.

But clearly you can't keep Charlie Sheen quiet for too long and this time it's his ex-wife Denise Richards was on the receiving end of one of his bizarre tirades.

The fallen-from-grace actor took to his Twitter page yesterday to accuse the actress of stealing his pet dogs.

He wrote: 'We must bombard with Warlock Napalm, that traitor and loser w***e #DUH -neese POOR-ARD. A VILE KIDNAPPER AND NOW DOG THIEF. HATE.'

And he added: 'Like a Dinosaur Stampede from middle earth RAGING atop Col. Kilgore's main rotor, our assault must be EPIC. The Truth is our rocket fuel. c.'

Denise, who split from the actor in 2006 and has two daughters with him, is believed to have given Sheen the two dogs when they were separating so the animals could be with their girls when they visited him.


Upset: Richards didn't look very happy as she left a TV show shoot


But the actress denied she had stolen them back and according to E! Online, she only took them away after becoming concerned for their welfare at the start of his very public meltdown.

A source close to the actress said: 'When Denise saw the dogs a couple of months ago, they were in such bad shape, one of them died after Denise took it. She has one of them, and the other one died.'


Dog lover: Richards and a handful of her pets - the black and white dog on the far right is believed to be Lucy, the Boston Terrier that died last week


And although it is unclear what breeds the dogs were, last week, Richards took to her Twitter page to announce that their Boston Terrier Lucy had passed away.

She wrote: 'She was 12, had her since she was a pup. Been thru so much with me...we will miss her…'

Meanwhile, the source said that Sheen, who is believed to be in 'talks' with Fox about returning to Two and a Half Men, is not a 'dog lover' and Richards was just trying to 'save them'.



Napalm threat: Sheen took to his Twitter page to launch a rant against Richards over the missing dogs


source: dailymail

Monkey misery: Inside the 'shameful' Thai theatre where guitar-playing macaques string along the tourists

By CHRIS PARSONS


Cruel: A male macaque monkey, Kai Lek, holds a toy guitar while chained to a leash as a laughing tourist watches


At first glance it may appear like a harmless holiday fun, cute monkeys performing a succession of tricks for amused tourists.

The star performers at Samui Monkey Theatre bounce around playing musical instruments and interacting with visitors to their show in southern Thailand.

But these happy pictures disguise a different story - and scores of tourists have taken to travel website tripadvisor to describe their disgust at the appalling treatment of the animals.


The same male monkey continues to hold the blue instrument while clearly attached to a rope leash behind his back


Viewers of the show on the Thai resort island of Koh Sumui described the performance as 'shameful' and 'horrific' after watching trained and physically weak monkeys perform demeaning tricks while stood in their own excrement.
.
While some tourists appear to find the lengthy animal show hilarious, others vented their shock at what they saw inside the theatre.

Male and female macaque monkeys are made to hold small guitars and throw balls into basketball nets, all the time with rope leashes around their necks to minimise their movement.

Others are forced to interact with tourists and are abused and pelted with stones if they do no perform.


A monkey at the animal theatre in southern Thailand is made to perform a basketball 'slam dunk' from the bare concrete floor of his enclosure


Tourists who see the Monkey Theatre show are allowed to feed the animals, although several have since told how the monkeys they fed 'looked like they hadn't seen food for days'.

One outraged British visitor, 'PhatButcher', gave the 'attraction' a one-star rating on tripadvisor, writing: 'Myself and my girlfriend went to Monkey Theatre not really knowing what to expect.

'Whilst walking round the streets of Koh Samui and getting approached by numerous locals offering to take our pictures with so called 'tame monkeys' (probably sedated) we maybe should have followed our instincts in that on the whole animal welfare is not high on the agenda in Thailand.

'But surely a Monkey Theatre, making their living from monkeys and showcasing them to the public would be different.


'Shameful': Another male macaque monkey is made to shake hands with a tourist during the Monkey Theatre 'performance'


'Surely it would be in their interests to care for the monkeys and have an interest in conservation. WRONG!!!

'It was one of the most appalling places I have visited.

'There is a cute little monkey convieniently (sic) placed at the entrance for you to play with and feed bananas but what followed was nothing short of horrific.

'The monkeys were held in painfully small bare concrete cages that obviously hadn't been cleaned in a very long time as the floor was covered in their own excrement.

'Further down the line of cages were some older monkeys each in individual cages that were nothing short of prison cells with thick iron bars, concrete walls and a carpet of excrement.'


Kai Lek the macaque monkey is made to stand on the head of a female tourist during one of the three 90-minute shows at the Monkey Theatre


The 90-minute show is described on a Thai tourism website as 'highly amusing' and a 'great place to take kids', with monkeys completing three performances each day.

But viewers have demanded refunds from the event and have been largely disgusted by the conditions the monkeys live in.

Another user on tripadvisor, 'wilystoat', wrote: 'I went here out of curiosity to see how well or otherwise the animals were kept, and was appalled at what I found.

'As I very gently approached each cage the monkeys would retreat to the back of their cages and cower, which suggests that they're used to being badly treated.

'As for the 'show' it consists of a male and a female monkey being made to carry out ridiculous demeaning tasks which are an insult to these creatures. They both look dreadfully miserable throughout.'


The show's organiser, monkey 'teacher' Prawat Rukduang, seen here kissing one of his monkeys, has dismissed the complaints of horrified tourists who have seen the show


Internet users claimed that when they approached management at Monkey Theatre to complain about the animals' cramped conditions and treatment, they were told the monkeys 'sleep that way in the wild' or that they looked miserable and underfed because they were 'old'.

'ShinerCork', another British traveller who witnessed the show, said: 'I just wanted to let anyone who is travelling to Koh Samui know about the monkey theatre there. I was there a few weeks ago with my family and it nearly reduced me to tears.

'The monkeys are in cages and as soon as you approach they are screeching for food.
'I know animals will always take food that is offered but it seemed like they really depended on the tourists to feed them. They grabbed the bananas and nuts like they hadn't seen food for days.

'There were some monkeys in cages at the end of the row and they looked really sick. One was literally skin and bone, when my sister in law asked what was wrong with him she was told that he was old.

'Doesn't sound like a reasonable explanation to me.'

Koh Samui is one of Thailand's most popular resorts and is the country's third biggest island.


source: dailymail

Air travel? They've got it licked! Molly Sims touches down with her adorable pet puppies

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Travel buddies: Molly Sims arrived at Los Angeles airport yesterday with her pet pooches Chloe and Poupette


Molly Sims landed at Los Angeles airport yesterday with her two adorable pet pooches who obviously like to travel in style.

The Yorkshire Terriers, called Chloe and Poupette, sat comfortably on the actress' luggage as they were wheeled through LAX.

Molly looked relaxed and was in a great mood as she tended to her dogs and at one point carried them through the terminal as she walked to her car.


Travel buddies: Molly Sims arrived at Los Angeles airport yesterday with her pet pooches Chloe and Poupette


Travel chic: The actress dressed casually for her journey and arrived in LA wearing black leggings, a cream sweater and ballet flats


Travel in style: The two Yorkshire terriers sat on Molly's luggage as they were wheeled through the terminal


The Sports Illustrated model looked effortlessly beautiful in her travel attire of black leggings, cream sweater and a black scarf.

She wore embellished ballet pumps and had her hair tied back in a bun.

The actress may be looking for a new home as she has put her Hollywood Hills house back on the market for a second time last week.


Cute: The Swimsuit Illustrated model picked up one of her pups who rewarded her with a licked face


Pet lover: Molly was hands on with her dogs bending down to pick up one of her pooches


She had originally put the three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom house up for sale in 2008 for $2.999million before taking it off the market soon after.

Now she has listed it again with an asking price of $2.825million for the Spanish-style residence.

According to Real Estalker, the home has antique French limestone and ebony saltillo tile floors.


For sale: Molly has put her Hollywood Hills home on the market for $2.825million - it comes with a pool and beautiful views of LA


Roomy: The Spanish style house has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms


Outdoor space: The house has a covered porch and patio, built in barbeque and great views of the city


It comes with a pool, covered porch and patio, built-in barbeque and amazing views of Los Angeles.

According to Molly, she usually keeps her enviable physique fit by taking daily hikes with her treasured pets.

The Las Vegas star says: 'I got sick of being on a treadmill, so I go hiking with my dogs. I do Pilates - it's really about lengthening your body and not building up your muscle - and then yoga once or twice a week.'


Entertaining: A second outdoor area is the perfect place for for a meal with friends


Model kitchen: Molly's cooking area is the perfect size for whipping up healthy snacks to keep her figure in shape


Keeping clean: The bathroom has a large sunken tub and a sizeable shower area


And another way she keeps in shape is by enlisting a work-out buddy in the shape of Kim Kardashian.

The pair were spotted leaving a workout centre in Studio City, California last week.
Kim told the March issue of Self Magazine that she sometimes struggles to find motivation to work out and so finds a workout buddy helps.


Comfortable: One of the living room areas has floor to ceiling windows and an open staircase leading to the second level


Open plan: The home has antique French limestone and ebony saltillo tile floors


And Molly makes sure to keep her diet as healthy as possible, relying on raw almonds to keep hunger at bay between meals.

She says: '[It's] my best snack... I eat like 50 of them a day. It gives me energy and it gives me protein.'

Molly claims that girls who say they can eat whatever they want without gaining an ounce are 'liars'.

'Those girls are in the gym busting their butts every day like the rest of us!' she says.


Work out buddies: Molly was seen leaving a gym with Kim Kardashian in Studio City, California last week


The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model has been dating actor Aaron Eckhart for the past two years and he has revealed he can't wait to have a family.

'I would love to have kids,' he says. 'I really would like that but we’ll have to wait and see. Right now I’m just loving telling stories and making movies for other families.'

Molly shot to fame as an actress on the hit NBC show Las Vegas in which she starred in over 100 episodes.

Although she is currently in-between acting projects she has been busy launching her new jewellery line Grayce by Molly Sims.


source: dailymail