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Researchers at Bristol University are using dogs to trace the whereabouts of
a gang of killers—but they are using blood samples instead of bloodhounds.
The killers are ticks that spread potentially lethal diseases such as babesiosis
and ehrlichiosis, which affect both dogs and people. Dogs can pick up the ticks
on country walks, and the Bristol researchers will search for traces of the
parasites’ DNA in the dogs’ blood. The diseases are an increasing threat in
northern Europe as the ticks expand their range. Monitoring the dogs will
identify areas where people may be at risk.