What actually happens is that the first foxhound to reach a fox kills it by breaking its neck.

ECONOMIST: Hounded

Skelton has made a remarkable comeback after breaking his neck four years ago to take part in the Games.

BBC: O'Connor claims gold medal

The good news for human firefighters is that at least a few of their traditional tasks still remain beyond the robosnake's capabilities -- well, until it's able to climb a tree and rescue a stranded cat without breaking its neck, that is.

ENGADGET: Anna Konda: the firefighting snakebot

But the Netherlands - who have never won the World Cup, despite a rich pedigree of world-class footballers - took the second half by the scruff of the neck, with Van Persie breaking free on a couple of occasions.

BBC: Netherlands 1-0 Japan

On a recent show, for instance, her character reacts to the appearance of her estranged boyfriend and his curvaceous date by furiously scratching her own neck as if she's breaking out in hives.

CNN: Flockhart in her element: slap-happy with the Bard

Hugo Turner, 23, from Exeter, has recovered from breaking a vertebrae in his neck five years ago, which is why they are raising money for the spinal charity.

BBC: Atlantic Challenge youngest rowers cross halfway point

Captain Bruce Reihana was out for five months after injuring his knee in the second week of the season, World-Cup winner Steve Thompson might not play again because of a neck injury and midfield fulcrum Jon Clarke has been out since breaking an ankle in September.

BBC: Saints on the brink