Author: Jasmine Kleine

A new study into dog bite prevention is underway at the University of Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC), putting virtual reality front and centre.

Alongside the Dogs Trust and University of Liverpool animal behaviour researchers, the VEC has created a virtual dog (pictured below) which will display real signs of canine aggression inside a safe and controlled virtual reality (VR) experience.

Photo Credit: Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC)

The team behind the creation say that ‘the experience aims to help adults and children recognise specific behaviours displayed by dogs, which could potentially lead to an attack or incident if not correctly identified.’

It works like this – when approached in a virtual reality world, the virtual dog will change behaviour and begin to display signs of aggression, including licking its lips, lowering its head and body, front paw lifting, growling and showing teeth (as referenced in the ‘Canine Ladder of Aggression’ which shows how a dog may behave when it does not want to be approached), therefore allowing children and adults to learn what a dog is saying when they show similar signs of aggression in the real world to help avoid being bitten.

This month, a petition to spark a debate about pet theft was delivered to 10 Downing Street after gaining more than 100,000 signatures from pet lovers who want pet theft to be recognised as a crime.

Jayne Hayes, founder of DogLost said, “It is momentous achievement to be able to knock on the door of 10 Downing Street and raise awareness about pet theft, but we need more. In the past 12 years, we have assisted more than 70,000 owners and helped reunite nearly 55,000 dogs. Very few pet thieves went to prison.”

Earlier this summer, Ross Thomson MP  introduced the Pets (Theft) Bill in Parliament, but despite cross-party support, George Eustice MP concluded the government was “not convinced for change.”

So, what happens next?

A second reading of the bill is scheduled to be discussed in Parliament on Friday 26 October 2018.

During the first Pet Theft Debate, the Rt Hon George Eustice MP stressed: “that the Government interpret the latest guidance from the Sentencing Council that the theft of a pet should generally be treated as a category two or three offence.”

At present, pet theft is generally treated as a category three or four offence in magistrates courts.

Debbie Matthews of Vets Get Scanning spoke about the Government’s position saying, “The interpretation is positive, but that is not happening in the courts. We continue to ask for clarification within the Theft Act and wonder why a simple amendment in the Sentencing Guidelines is not forthcoming.

On why the law needs to be changed, Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa) legal advisor, Professor John Cooper QC, explained:

“The law is simply not geared up to recognise the importance of pets in the nations life. They are treated like property, and the invaluable contribution they make to millions of peoples of lives both practically and emotionally really needs to be acknowledged through a harsher sentencing regime.”

Gareth Johnson MP (Dartford), who has been campaigning for pet theft reform for over five years, said, “Like most dog owners, I see my dog as a member of my family and the sentencing of people who steal dogs should reflect this. The criminal justice system should not treat dog theft in the same way as the theft of property. This petition really highlights the strength of feeling on this issue and the widespread disgust people feel about this crime.”

Dr Daniel Allen, who started the petition, concluded, “Five dogs are reported stolen in England and Wales every day, yet less than 5% of dog theft cases lead to a custodial sentence. Criminals see pet theft as a low-risk high-reward crime. Pet Theft Reform is the only way to change this.”

“By 2021 there will be no dog meat restaurants in the city centre” is the message from the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi barely 24 hours after urging citizens to stop eating dogs and cats.

The director of the city’s Department of Animal Health, Nguyen Ngoc Son, told Lao Dong Newspaper on Wednesday (September 12), “Following a direction from the city’s People’s Committee that called on residents to ease off eating dog meat, we are building a plan to gradually phase out the slaughtering and trading of dog meat. By 2021 there will be no dog meat restaurants in the city centre”

Photo Credit: Soi Dog Foundation

The People’s Committee had asked city residents the previous day to stop eating dog and cat meat, and urged local district authorities to launch campaigns to warn people about the risks of contracting diseases, including potentially deadly rabies and leptospirosis, from eating dog and cat meat.

The committee also said that the slaughter and sale of dogs and cats for their meat had damaged the image of Hanoi.

Mr Son told Lao Dong Newspaper that Hanoi now has 1,013 restaurants selling dog and cat meat. The exact number of dogs and cats eaten throughout Vietnam is not known precisely but is estimated to be around five million animals a year.

The Thailand-based Soi Dog Foundation, which has been working with the Hanoi People’s Committee to steer them towards ending the dog meat trade, was surprised and delighted by the announcement.

The charity’s founder, John Dalley, said, “This is wonderful news. We sincerely hope that, step by step, this planned ban will be spread out across the entire city and will be emulated by other cities in Vietnam.

“There is no place for cruelty in culture. Hanoi is growing into a 21st century city, and practises that belong in the dark ages should be cleared away.”

Soi Dog’s representative in Vietnam, Bao Tran, said, “This is huge news here. It was the biggest story on all news outlets in Vietnam, and seems to be widely supported by people.

“The vital component now is for Hanoi to discuss and create the legal framework for banning the dog and cat meat trade. Soi Dog will be happy to help and guide in any way we can.”

The Soi Dog Foundation was instrumental in tackling the organised smuggling of dogs out of Thailand via Laos to Vietnam. Today that trade has dwindled to a trickle.

Mr Dalley was also a member of the Thai government committee that drafted an anti-cruelty law that came into force in 2014. The law made the eating of dogs and cats in Thailand illegal.

A Beagle named Scarlett has been crowned the most ‘Inspirational Animal’ at the Animal Hero awards.

The ex-laboratory Beagle, who was the canine cover star of K9 Magazine’s ‘Welfare Special’ earlier this year alongside celebrities Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan, is receiving this award because she is turning a terrifying past into a bright future for millions of laboratory animals, in her new role as Beagle Ambassador for the science-based campaign For Life On Earth (FLOE).

Photo Credit: Joseph Sinclair for K9 Magazine

Now running free, Scarlett’s two years imprisoned in a cruel and frightening toxicology laboratory (where dogs are typically force-fed chemicals for up to 90 days with no pain relief or anaesthetic) left her with terrible PTSD, including symptoms where she displays a terror of noises, fear of being covered and serious issues with eating.

Scarlett’s owner, Jane Bailes Green previously gave K9 Magazine some examples, “Scarlett gets excited when we get ready to take her on a walk, but the moment the harness and lead appears she goes into ‘compliance mode’, crouching down with her head and paws all flat on the floor. When picked up she goes all limp.

“These are indications of the training she would have endured to get her used to a laboratory environment, having learned – often through physical abuse – that ‘the less I move, the less I hurt.’ Even when mummy or daddy come home, she is initially excited and runs to greet us but quickly crouches down in compliance, waiting for permission to move and fearful of doing the wrong thing.”

On her new role as an ambassador, she said, “Living with Scarlett has confirmed our beliefs and her little ways and behaviours are a daily reminder of a life traumatised.

“Scarlett comes to life on her forest walks and a lot of people take an interest in her – she is small, cute and loves children and other animals – which gives us the opportunity to talk to people and educate them.”

Photo Credit: Joseph Sinclair for K9 Magazine

At the start of this year, K9 Magazine introduced comedian and well-known animal advocate Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan to Scarlett.

Alongside Paul O’Grady, Chris Packham, Dr. Jane Goodall and over 100 MPs, Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan are calling for a rigorous public scientific debate which would be judged by independent experts from the relevant fields of science about claims that animal experiments can predict the responses of human patients.

The Beagle’s latest achievement of being crowned this year’s ‘Inspirational Animal of the Year’ will undoubtedly help to raise awareness about the subject of animal testing.

We hope it leads to a revoke of the outdated law with medical research funding then able to be re-directed towards viable non-invasive human-based research, which has a track record of success without the need to harm animals.

Two dogs from Greater Manchester Fire and Service are to receive recognition for their years of outstanding devotion with the animal equivalent of the OBE because of their service to society.

Echo, a 14 year old Labrador, served with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as a Search and Rescue dog from 2004 to 2013 and Cracker, a 13 year old Labrador Cracker was a Fire Service Investigation Dog with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service between January 2007 and February 2017.

During his time in service, Echo was deployed as part of the UK Fire Service Overseas Response Team, to assist in the aftermath of an earthquake in Haiti, which completely devastated large parts of the country in January 2010.

The capital, Port-au-Prince, was buried under tonnes of collapsed buildings and structures.

In the heat and humidity and accompanied by a UN Police convoy, Echo’s skills were deployed to help speed up the search process. He conducted 46 separate searches over a two week period. Sadly, due to the magnitude of the quake, everyone that Echo found had already died.

Echo’s handler, Mike Dewer (pictured below together), said, “I can honestly say that Haiti was hell on earth. The city’s infrastructure had been decimated. There were no hospitals – survivors were relying solely on aid from outside the country to help them. For Echo, the smell of death surrounded him. As a puppy, he was taught to search for the living, but as the situation was so bleak and desperate, his searches for survivors were fruitless.

“He helped us find victims buried deep within collapsed buildings – libraries and shopping centres. I will always remember his whining as he struggled to fathom why he was surrounded by that one scent – a scent that he had been taught to ignore, but under those circumstances, that was impossible.

“Echo and I shared a tent and I think we were both glad of each other to cuddle up to after each of those gruelling days. Those sights will stay with me forever and I will always be grateful to Echo for the strength and determination he showed while we were deployed.”

Despite the intensely challenging conditions, Echo worked tirelessly and without hesitation for almost two weeks before he and Mike returned home to the UK.

Cracker’s time in service was spent helping forensic teams determine the cause of fires to help secure convictions of suspected arsonists. She was trained to detect 20 different types of accelerants, using her powerful sense of smell.

During her 10-year service, she was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including a double murder and serious assaults. She attended over 650 incidents, resulting in over 200 years of custodial sentences for arson-related crimes.

On 12 March 2013 a major explosion occurred at a large two-storey detached building on War Office Road, Rochdale. A strong smell of petrol was detected and Cracker was deployed to investigate. After an unproductive ground search, Cracker was instructed to climb what remained of the staircase, to search the upper floor. This meant negotiating a large hole in the floor, as well as making her way through fallen wooden beams and roofing materials.

Cracker tracked along the skirting board to a place outside where the bathroom had once been and gave a positive indication. As a result of her efforts, the Fire Investigation Team was able to determine that the explosion was a result of an arson attack.

On 5 March 2014 Cracker attended a ‘halfway house’ property in Ashton, Greater Manchester, where a man had been murdered and his body set on fire. Cracker, dressed in a forensic dog suit to preserve any evidence, undertook a search of the property and, as a result of her efforts, the culprit received a 30-year jail sentence.

On Cracker’s actions, Mike said, “Cracker – or Lucy to her friends – was a constant source of excellent skill and drive whenever she was deployed to assist with an investigation. She was just as driven and determined on her last day as she was when she first started. An absolute class act. I am thrilled to see her recognised with the PDSA Order of Merit – it is a true honour.”

As well as attending crime scenes, Cracker also visited schools to help educate young people in fire and home safety.

Both dogs will receive their animal OBE, the PDSA Order of Merit, at a ceremony next month.

After making a u-turn and announcing that in a post-Brexit world animals will be recognised as sentient beings with feelings in the UK, the government is being reminded that with only eight months to go before Britain withdraws from the EU and its laws no longer apply, it must make good on its commitment to Britain’s animals.

This week the government department DEFRA has pledged to introduce tougher sentences for animal cruelty, with those who commit the most serious offences facing up to five years in prison, compared to the current six-month maximum.

DEFRA has also said they are committed to working with welfare organisations to ensure that animal sentience is properly recognised in legislation after the UK has withdrawn from the EU.

On the news, RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said, “We are pleased that Defra has agreed with the RSPCA that the Bills relating to sentencing for animal cruelty and animal sentience should be separate.

“We welcome the proposed Bill to increase sentencing for animal cruelty and neglect from six months to five years by amending Section 32 of the Animal Welfare Act, as well as the introduction of a separate sentience Bill.

“However, as there are less than eight months to go before we leave the EU, we are concerned that time is running out for the Sentience Bill to be introduced and agreed before Brexit.”

John Fishwick, President of the British Veterinary Association, who speak on behalf of thousands of vets and vet professionals, said, “With time running out the government must ensure that these words are translated into decisive action.

“Recognising animals as sentient beings sends a strong signal to the global community that the UK continues to be a world leader when it comes to animal welfare. It’s imperative that the government earmarks enough time in an increasingly crowded legislative agenda to bring it into law.”

A London Rally calling for the repeal of Breed Specific Legislation, introduced to the UK in 1991, has taken place as part of the Global Anti-BSL Protests held each year.

The London event was organised by DDA Watch Ltd and the city’s event ran alongside other awareness events in Ottawa, Canada, Germany, Ontario, Canada and Cardiff, Wales.

London’s Westminster peaceful protest took place on 21st July at Old Palace Yard, Westminster, SW1P 3JY.

DDA Watch said: “BSL is not based on any scientific evidence and is not fit for purpose. Thousands of pets continue to be put to death or deemed ‘dangerous’ based on how they look, the law is not protecting the public, it is not reducing dog bite incidents, it is causing and creating problems and is long overdue for urgent repeal. It is appalling that countless friendly dogs deemed ‘type’ have died and are facing a death sentence as they cannot be rehomed due to the flawed legislation.”

A government inquiry is currently taking place on the issue of dangerous dogs and Breed Specific Legislation, and the EFRA Committee have heard overwhelming evidence in support of the repeal of BSL, which was hastily introduced 27 years ago, with an emphasis on education and progression to breed neutral legislation.

London Anti-BSL Protest; pictured is innocent dog Olive who is fighting for her life due to BSL-join @JusticeForOlive FB-Olive’s Fight Against BSL #FreeOlive #JusticeForOlive pic.twitter.com/N3GbaerPvX

— DDA Watch (@Team_DDAWatch) July 21, 2018

The committee has received heart-breaking evidence from organisations that say friendly dogs deemed ‘type’ are dying as they cannot be rehomed due to the severe legislation:

Over 60,000 people have signed a Blue Cross petition to end BSL and the Blue Cross are supporting a complete repeal of all aspects of breed specific legislation.

The Dogs Trust does not support BSL and would like to see preventative legislation on dog control which is breed neutral.

The RSPCA believe BSL should be repealed and told the government inquiry that BSL is ineffective in protecting public safety and results in the suffering and euthanasia of many dogs. More than 67,000 people have signed their petition calling on the Government to finally end BSL.

The Scottish SPCA seriously recommends abolishing BSL and replacing it with workable legislation that protects the public and responsible dog owners.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home believe that BSL should be repealed and their evidence states it has been proven to be ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks, and it is arbitrary and unfair, and it is not based on scientific fact.

The British Veterinary Association, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Kennel Club and the Communications Union (CWU) have all made it clear that they do not support breed specific legislation,

Guide Dogs do not support breed-specific legislation and believe the emphasis should be on education and addressing irresponsible dog ownership.

Wood Green, the Animals Charity, stated that the welfare of many dogs has been compromised as a result of this law with thousands euthanised unnecessarily and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors supports the repeal of BSL due to lack of effectiveness and welfare issues.

The PDSA opinion is that all organisations need to be aware that it is ‘deed not breed’ that is important in determining the cause of aggressiveness in dogs and that any dog has the potential to be aggressive.

Steve O’Connell, London Assembly Member and Chair of the London Police and Crime Committee recommend that the EFRA committee explore alternative options to the Dangerous Dogs Act that shift the focus to responsible ownership.

The evidence is overwhelming; it is time to move on to fair and smarter breed-neutral dog law.