Patrick the pony with owner Kirk Petrakis. Patrick the Pony, who was born on St. Patrick's Day, can often be found in the village's local pub, The Drum Inn, enjoying a pint of Guinness in a special corner reserved just for him..
A Guinness-drinking pony who has been dubbed a UK village’s “unofficial mayor”, has been banned from a local pub. The four-year-old Shetland pony was given the unofficial title of mayor of Cockington after a campaign launched by the village’s residents. Patrick has been a regular visitor of the Drum Inn pub in the village in south east England for the past two years alongside his owners Kirk and Hannah Petrakis. Earlier this year, the pub posted a picture of Patrick on their Facebook page, while also writing: "He's becoming a little celebrity in our village recently. The miniature Shetland pony became a regular at the pub after his owner Kirk Petrakis, 42, took him there to help locals who were struggling during the Covid pandemic. A spokeswoman for the Drum Inn said: “All we know is someone made a complaint to the council and the council told us we have to get rid of him.
After the mayor of Cockington, Don Mills, passed away in 2019, some 200+ locals signed a petition in support of naming Patrick the pony as the village's next mayor. "We believe Patrick would be a brilliant Pony Mayor for Cockington, for being non judgemental and genuinely caring and supportive to all," Petrakis wrote on the petition. Patrick has now been appointed the “unofficial mayor” of the town and even has his own office.
Patrick the pony and his owner, Kirk Petrakis, used to visit their local pub The Drum Inn regularly for a cold and malty tipple.
The extremely popular pony also participates in networking events with many local politicians. Member of Parliament Kevin Foster and local councilor Andrew Barrand specifically showed up to attend his ceremony in becoming unofficial mayor.
Patrick continues to work as a therapy animal at hospitals, mental health wards and specialized schools. He's even had a children's book about him published entitled "The Adventures of Patrick the Pony: The Ten Ducklings."
Petrakis noted on his online petition that Patrick is also the mascot for The War Horse Memorial, and he has helped raise thousands of pounds for equine charities. He is additionally the official Mascot for Devon Recovery Learning Community, who are partners of the NHS, supporting many with mental health and recovery. “We think Patrick The Pony has made history by becoming the first pony Mayor in the UK.”
A planning enforcement officer told the pub they need planning permission for Patrick to be allowed to graze in the pub garden. Previously, the therapy pony, who visits recovery groups, hospitals and mental health wards, relaxed alongside his friends in an "interaction pen" in the pub's garden. But the pony's owners Kirk and Hannah Petrakis had to remove the fencing following the decision - which locals have blasted as "disgusting" and "selfish". Patrick was given his special title at a ceremony held on Saturday, July 23, after hundreds backed an online campaign to elect him to the post following the death of previous mayor Don Mills. Patrick Cain, who lives nearby in Torquay, has already created a petition to make the council allow the pony back on the watering hole's lawn. He said: "We want this decision changed. We want them to allow Patrick to graze in the pub garden where the public can delight in watching him enjoy the grass. "Torbay Council need to stop being so petty and allow a little joy into the lives of residents and visitors alike!”
Caroline Shapter added: “Good heavens what is wrong with Torbay Council?
"No compassion for animals or people that help others.
"I am more than disgusted."
Patrick the Pony Mayor of Cockington Village.
And Joannie Dunn, from Torquay, raged: "How much has he bought to Torbay for tourists - disgusting!"
Torbay MP Kevin Foster has also blasted the "overreaction".
He said: " I'm stunned that this has been the reaction of the council. There really must be more important things they can be doing with their time at the moment.
"To be clear this pen wasn’t his home; it wasn't stabled buildings.It’s just a little wooden pen in a village that's famous for horse and carriage rides.
Article 2
A long-eared owl shocked crew on board a fishing boat over 100 miles off the north coast of Scotland. The bird was rescued by a crew member who spotted it being attacked by seagulls. It suffered minor injuries but was cared for by the team on board Peterhead-registered Benarkle II for the rest of their trip. It is believed the owl had been blown off its normal course before landing on the boat. The Benarkle II crew said the poorly creature perked up a great deal after being "beefed up" with some chopped steak.
After returning to harbour, the owl was handed over to the Huntly Falconry Centre who said it was very unusual for it to have been so far from land. Crew members said the bird appeared on board the trawler in the middle of their trip last week - and seemed perfectly happy once it had settled into its new surroundings.
The lost Owl was starting to become used to the comings and goings of crew in the wheelhouse, even letting him out to stretch his wings.
"Although getting an unwilling owl to go back into his temporary home isn't the easiest of operations!"
The owl in its temporary home.
John Barrie, who owns the centre, said: "The owl is just tired after the journey. "They'd fed it up on the boat, and we'll do the same here. "It just needs a bit of beef on it. "It'll be here for a week or two then released back into the wild." Mr Barrie said the bird was over 100 miles out from the coast. He added: "It wasn't in its own environment, it must've just got blown off course. "These same guys brought in a hobby falcon a couple years ago and it was about 400 miles out. "It's funny that that's twice they've brought in a bird. There's obviously someone on board who knows about birds."
Long-eared owls are known for their distinct white eyebrows and striking bright orange eyes.
Despite being called the long-eared owl, the tufts on its head aren't actually ears at all.
The large head feathers are simply used to make it look bigger when the bird is alarmed.
They are said to be the most nocturnal of all the owls.
The breed looks deceptively long and thin while flying, but is usually no larger than a woodpigeon.
And they traditionally prefer dense coniferous woodlands to being at sea.