Total Dog Magazine

Author: Dog News

  • If You’re Thinking About Getting a Dog, Let This Rescue Centre Act as Cupid This Valentine’s Day

    This Valentine’s Day Yorkshire and East Midlands based Jerry Green Dog Rescue will be acting as matchmaker for each of the 70 dogs currently in its care to help them find the perfect forever home.

    Top of the list of eligible dogs at the North Yorkshire centre is an eight-year old Lurcher, Cooper, who arrived into rescue around four months ago.

    With his athletic build, boy next door good looks and flowing auburn mane Cooper is seeking a long-term relationship with a food fanatic and lover of nap times. In return he will offer loyalty and a GSOH (great sense of humour)!

    “Cooper is your typical lovely, silly, sleepy Lurcher who loves to cuddle,” said Emma Cook, Centre Support Officer at Jerry Green Dog Rescue. “He is housetrained, walks well on the lead and loves to be around people.

    “He is an absolute treasure and when his forever home does come along, they’ll wonder why they waited to so long to meet such a fantastic dog.”

    Since coming into the rescue centre Cooper has been working hard to attract the attention of his pawfect match. The team at Jerry Green are hopeful that Valentine’s Day will remind potential adopters that all you need is love…and a dog!

    For more information about Cooper or any of the dogs currently looking for a forever home please contact your local Jerry Green Dog Rescue centre. Details can be found on the website: www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk/RescueCentres

     

    If you’re looking to adopt a dog from around the UK you can also check out www.dogsblog.com – bring joy, adopt a dog.

  • New Research Says Half of Grieving Dog Owners Take Time Off Work

    New research out today has revealed that half of dog owners who have lost a pet have taken time off work to mourn their loss. A third of those who have taken time off as a result of their dog passing away, took just one day off work to deal with their grief, while an additional 29 per cent took two days off.

    The research, which has been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance, highlights the deep rooted emotional attachment people have with their dogs as nearly one in five British dog owners whose pet died took a week or more off work as a result of their grief.

    dog owner photo
    Photo Credit: BPPrice

    While some dog owners took the time off work as annual leave, the majority (almost two thirds) were honest with their employers about the reason for their absence. Some owners, however, clearly felt embarrassed about their feelings, with one in eight phoning in sick and one in 10 claiming it was a family bereavement.

    The research also highlighted that women were more likely to be honest with their employers about the reason for their time off work, with 64 per cent telling their employer their dog had died compared to just 39 per cent of men. Men were much more likely than women to tell work there had been a family bereavement.

    Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, says: “Losing a dog often feels like losing a member of the family and our research shows that dog owners frequently need time at home to deal with their grief. Our policies include a bereavement help-line which helps owners deal with their loss. As a nation of dog lovers, it is important to recognise the emotional impact on someone who has lost a beloved pet and be sympathetic to their loss.”

  • Ex-Police Officer Sells Home to Help Animals in Need

    Could this be the most hands on animal charity volunteer in the UK? Ben Wilkes, an ex-police officer from Staffordshire, is a volunteer at the Border Collie Trust GB.

    Having spent his time volunteering for 18 years he was invited to become a Trustee in 2000 and made the life-changing decision in 2004 to sell his family home in order to move into the Trust to help provide 24-hour care for the dogs, after the former residents retired from their work with charity. Initially visiting the Trust in 1997 solely to donate blankets for the dogs under its care, Ben felt compelled to pledge his spare time to the charity as soon as he stepped foot inside the centre.

    While he works for the charity on a voluntary basis, he is so committed to helping Border Collies in need, that he has even recruited his own wife to the charity’s cause, with the two of them available day and night for all of the charity’s various needs. From dog collection to DIY, Ben turns his hand to the full range of tasks at the centre.

    Ben and Reilly

    “Sometimes in life you just happen to be in the right place at the right time – and that was the case with me becoming a volunteer at the Border Collie Trust. I’m now such a part of the furniture that people are surprised when they learn I’m a volunteer – they think it’s my career! Rescue work is a very unusual beast in that it can be very unpredictable, but it’s great bringing the police force mentality to the role as it gives me real focus and structure.”

    For his considerable passion and hard work, Ben was presented with Petplan’s Animal Charity Volunteer of the Year 2015 award. The accolade celebrates the outstanding work, dedication and commitment of animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and the charity teams, volunteers and employees that go above and beyond in their mission to improve animal wellbeing.

    The pet insurer’s 2016 awards are currently receiving nominations – if you know someone who deserves to be nominated share their story online: www.petplan.co.uk/charityawards

  • Would You Change Your Dog’s Name to Jeremy for £100?

    Dog owners around the country are being offered the chance to make extra money by simply changing their pet’s name to ‘Jeremy’.

    Owners who agree to change their dog’s name using the hashtag #Jeremy on Twitter (www.twitter.com/BeagleStreet) will be sent a £100 cash payment in return for wearing a ‘Jeremy’ labelled collar for the rest of the month.

    beagle photo

    The stunt is being carried out by online life insurance provider Beagle Street in an effort to create a nation of four-legged ‘Jeremys’ after the star of its new TV advert – a talking dog called Jeremy.

    The name-changing initiative follows research revealing Max, Jack and Daisy to be the most popular dogs names in the UK. Traditional dog names like Rover, Rex and Buddy were nowhere to be seen with the most popular list dominated by ‘human’ names including Bob, Alfie and Millie.

    Speaking about the name change stunt Matthew Gledhill, Managing Director of Beagle Street, said: “There are over 9 million dogs in the UK and each name tag is a potential ad for us so we are very happy to put some pounds back in people’s pockets and make our Jeremy famous. It’s a bit barking but we’re hoping that dog owners up and down the country will help us celebrate his arrival by renaming their own furry friends – and of course there is a handsome reward up for grabs for those that do.”

  • Scottish Dog Owners to Be Fined Double for Not Picking up Pet Mess

    New plans being introduced by the Scottish government will see Scotland’s dog owners fined double if they don’t pick up their pet’s mess from 1st April.

    Following a public consultation and ‘overwhelming’ support, the fine (which will increase from £40 to £80) is part of a plan to deter offenders and protect public health said Minister for community safety, Paul Wheelhouse.

    dog walk photo

    The fixed penalty charges for the offence now matches the level of fine served on those caught littering.

    The move has been welcomed by the organisation ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’, who recently published research showing that almost seven in ten people rated dog fouling as the issue that most spoilt the environment.

     

  • Alabama Rot Confirmed in Wiltshire as Two Dogs Die

    The mystery disease which killed two Wiltshire dogs at the end of 2015 has been confirmed as Alabama Rot, according to the BBC.

    Symptoms of the dogs affected by the disease has been on the rise since 2012 across the UK with outbreaks concentrated predominantly in countryside/woodland areas, but was first identified in the US in the 1980s.

    A website has been set up to track the latest hot spots for outbreaks of the disease across the UK here

    dog photo

    Owners are asked to remain vigilant for sores and lesions as well as signs which may point to kidney failure, including vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness, but if you suspect your dog might have been affected then you should contact your vet immediately.

  • Dog Owners Warned as Christmas Chocolate Poisoning Strikes

    Dog owners are being warned to keep tasty presents under wraps and out of reach after a dog from Glasgow became seriously ill when she munched her way through a box of chocolates.

    Three-year-old Bichon Frise, Faith, sneaked into a room where her owners were keeping Christmas presents meant for family and friends. She was lured by the smell of a box of mint chocolates and after climbing over a pile of presents, took the box from a wicker bag and tucked in.

    Owner Anne-Marie Smith, 47, said: “I got home with my daughter and she spotted the half-empty box. Faith had taken it into the lounge and eaten 27 chocolates. She had also been sick on the Christmas tree, we think she might have chewed the tree to make herself sick. I was really worried because I know chocolate is toxic to dogs, so we took her straight to PDSA.”

    On arrival at PDSA’s Pet Hospital on Shamrock Street, Faith was again sick and became limp. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains a substance called theobromine which attacks the central nervous system.

    The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains and the greater risk to a dog’s life. Faith had eaten a dark chocolate mint selection.

    PDSA vet, Hannah McIvor, said: “Unfortunately, Faith had eaten dark chocolate and lots of it. Because it was making her so sick, we had to put her on a drip to keep her fluids up and also reduce any damage being done to her kidneys. We also gave her medicine to help stop her vomiting. Thankfully, being sick at home seems to have helped prevent her suffering the worst symptoms and after being kept in overnight under close observation, she was able to go home again.”

    Faith has now made a good recovery and the team at Shamrock Street hope she will be the last dog they see with chocolate poisoning this Christmas.

    Hannah added: “Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery we are now going to raise awareness about the danger of chocolate to dogs and we hope Faith is the last poorly pooch we see this Christmas as a result of a chocolatey snack!”

  • Celebrities Show Support at Animal Charity Fundraising Event in London

    Celebrities including The Vamps musician James McVey and actors Neil Morrissey and Peter Egan showed their love for all things animal welfare attending The Mayhew Animal Home’s fundraising event ‘Tinsel and Tails’ in London to help raise valuable funds.

    Speaking at the event James McVey said: ‘’I’ve always loved animals. I grew up in Dorset with horses, cows and donkeys so it’s awesome to attend an event like this with incredible TheraPaws dogs.

    “I eventually want to adopt an older cat from The Mayhew as it’s so important to give pets a loving home. When I buy a house I’m heading to the rescue centre.

    ‘’Millions of animals need homes. It’s really important for me to tell people my age of the amazing work the Mayhew does and spread the word.’’

    Neil Morrissey, who has previously adopted from The Mayhew, said: ‘’I got Tiggy when she was three-years-old. She’s everything to me, she’s my screensaver, my four-legged friend, my child, my princess. She was found as a puppy abandoned in the streets. She wasn’t microchipped so the owner couldn’t be traced.

    “The Mayhew is a fantastic place which does fantastic work. I would urge people to get down there today to rescue a pet. ”


    Photo Credit: Graham Hilling

    A record-breaking £14,500 was raised on the night. Speaking of the success the charity’s Chief Executive, Caroline Yates, said: “It was a great night for The Mayhew. I’d like to thank everyone who came along and put their hands in the pockets for the pets. All the money raised will go towards rescuing and rehoming them.”

    Find out more about The Mayhew Animal Home online at www.themayhew.org and keep up to date with the latest dogs in their care looking for loving new homes online here.

  • Woman Who Taped Dog’s Mouth Shut Charged With Cruelty

    Katharine Lemansky thought it would be a good idea to tape her dog’s mouth shut and post the evidence to Facebook. She has now been charged with cruelty.

    The 45-year old will be allowed to keep her chocolate Labrador cross, called Brown, until she appears in court.

    "Taping the dog’s muzzle shut was a terrible decision on Ms Lemansky’s part," said Cary, North Carolina police captain Randall Rhyne.

    "At the same time, it’s important to also note that our animal control officers who physically examined both Brown and her littermate found the dogs to be very well cared for, which is why we did not and could not remove them from the owner."

    Social media users who saw the photo of Brown spread their concern quickly.

    The photo was captioned, "This is what happens when you don’t shut up!!!"

    According to officials, police officers in South Daytona in Florida tracked Ms Lemansky to North Carolina, where she admitted taping up the dog’s mouth.

    She faces a fine and up to 150 days in jail over the charge – called a misdemeanour in America.

  • More Brits Admit to Preferring Dogs to Cats – What’s Your View?

    According to new research out today almost half (45%) of British adults admit they prefer dogs in a battle between dogs vs cats.

    The research conducted by Churchill Pet Insurance is said to relaunch the battle between the two beloved British pets as the insurer asks pet lovers to take to social media using the hashtag #ChurchillCatsVSDogs to share thoughts on the findings.

    dog photo

    When asked which personality traits they associate most with dogs and cats, almost three quarters of pet lovers respondents to the survey claimed dogs are seen as loyal. Almost 7 in 10 said they were protective while giving unconditional love. Over half also claimed they saw dogs as intelligent, while cats are not only intelligent but independent thinkers and cunning.

    Dan Streets, Churchill Pet Insurance manager commented: “We are officially a nation of dog lovers – a preference which transcends age, gender and location. Our friendly pooches give us unconditional love and protection, so have earned the top spot as our loyal companion. It’s not all doom and gloom for cats though, as our research clearly shows that many see them as the pet of choice, as their independent thinking and intelligence in looking after themselves means they are often the perfect pet.”

    So, what do you think? Share your views with us by commenting below or take part in the social study by sharing your thoughts with us on Twitter @K9Magazine using the hashtag #ChurchillCatsVSDogs!

  • RSPCA Bristol Seeking Information About Dog Abandoned Roadside in ‘Appalling Condition’

    Staff at Bristol Dogs and Cats Home are appealing for information after a German Shepherd was found straying in an appalling condition in Bristol on November 6th.

    The dog, named ‘Zen’ by staff at the Dogs and Cats Home, was found by kind passers-by, who took him to the RSPCA Bristol Branch on Albert Road, having immediately realised that the dog was in an astonishingly poor state of health and suffering terribly from his obvious injuries.

    Staff at the centre said that Zen was in an “inexcusable condition”, he had been neglected to the extent that he had open sores all over his body, his nails had completely overgrown; shockingly some of his nails had even grown right around and back up through the pads on his feet. The skin between every single toe on each paw was infected, he had sores to his mouth, and he also had scarring and infected wounds as a result of not having received treatment for a skin condition. Zen was in a very poor health, suffering terribly and in a lot of pain.

    The veterinary surgeon who attended to Zen at the RSPCA Bristol Clinic said, “Zen was probably one of the worst skin cases I’ve ever seen. He had ulceration of the skin to his face, hind legs & all four paws, with a large ulcer over his hip. His feet were swollen, and obviously painful to walk on – he only moved if he had to. The ulcerated skin was deeply infected and the dog was also extremely thin”.

    Unsurprisingly no one came forward to claim Zen, and he was not microchipped, so an owner could not be traced. Very sadly, the vet advised that the severe nature of his disease condition and the extent of the pain and distress meant there was no option but to put Zen to sleep on humane grounds, to alleviate his suffering.

    Jodie Hayward, Manager of the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home, said “This has been a very traumatic experience for everyone involved. The misery and suffering this poor dog went through would have been horrific”

    “The smell of rotting flesh, infection, and bad skin, was so terrible that it made our eyes water. It is hard to think that somebody may have had this dog living with them in a house”.

    Staff at the Bristol rescue and rehoming centre are now appealing to the public to come forward with information.
    Jodie continued, “This poor dog did not deserve to be neglected in this way, the injuries he had meant that he can’t have travelled far. He could barely walk. He was found in the Sheldon Road/Romney Avenue area of Lockleaze, Bristol on November 6th 2015”

    “Someone out there must know something, we please ask that if you have any information at all, no matter how small that you report it so that we may find justice for Zen. Maybe we will never know, but we will do our best to find out so that no other animal is allowed to come to harm at the hands of this person or people again”. Staff at the centre have also shared the appeal on their social media pages, with the hashtag #?justiceforzen.

    If you think you may have any information about Zen, where he came from, who may have owned him – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please contact the main RSPCA control centre on 0300 1234 999, quoting ref: 476/26/11/15. 

  • Pair Sentenced for Leaving Injured Dogs in Pain

    Two Hertfordshire men who admitted leaving their injured dogs to suffer have been disqualified from keeping animals for life, following an investigation by the RSPCA’s special operations unit.

    Samuel Lyas and Valentine Baldock were sentenced at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday, 23 November), after they both admitted causing unnecessary suffering to terriers, some of which were left with the skin ripped from their lower jaws.

    As well as the ban, Lyas (dob 27.3.90) was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, 280 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £3,600 in costs after he admitted causing an animal fight between a dog and a fox.

    Baldock (dob 26.5.84) was also ordered to do 225 hours unpaid work, and pay £3025 costs after also pleading guilty.

    The RSPCA began investigating Lyas, from Brent Pelham, near Buntingford, after being made aware of allegations that he has used his dogs to attack wild animals.

    A warrant was carried out by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Rural Operations Team at Lyas’s home address in April this year, where RSPCA officers in attendance found six terriers, including a red male called Max (above) and a black longhair called Bronson who both needed treatment for their injuries.

    Max was suffering de-gloving injuries, which is where the dog had no skin on his lower jaw, leaving the flesh exposed after it had been ripped off.

    A separate warrant the same day at Baldock’s address, also in Brent Pelham, found more dogs, including black terriers called Gravel and Todd, showed they had several head, facial and jaw injuries which had not received proper treatment.

    The vet also discovered a number of staples in the corner of Gravel’s mouth, some of which had become partially detached from the skin. These had been administered by Baldock

    RSPCA special operations unit inspector Cliff Harrison said: “This is a depressingly familiar type of case that myself and colleagues have had to deal with on a regular basis.

    “The injuries to these poor terriers were exactly those that we expect to find on dogs that are put underground to pin foxes and badgers at the back of their earth until dug down to.

    “These dogs are so friendly to humans, but show no fear underground and the inevitable result of them being put underground time after time are these horrible injuries that we found on that day.

    “These are the result of countless encounters and to add insult to their injuries these dogs were not treated by a vet for either pain relief or reparation, which meant that their unnecessary suffering was prolonged.”

    DC Amanda Matthews, an officer on the Rural Operational Support Team, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this sentencing. Lyas and Baldock treated these animals abhorrently and caused them considerable pain and distress. They do not deserve to be in the presence of animals and I am reassured that they will not be able to for a good few years to come.

    “I hope that today’s sentencing serves as a warning to anyone who mistreats animals that this behaviour won’t be tolerated and, in partnership with the RSPCA, the police will do all they can to bring offenders to justice.”

  • WATCH: Couple Who Let Dog Film Wedding Didn’t Expect This to Happen!

    My dogs came to my wedding, they had their own bespoke collars and they were a big part of our plans. The venue was entirely chosen on the basis of it being suitable for them to enjoy.

    This couple went a step further and not only was their dog a big part of their day, he was their filmmaker.

    When Josh and Addie Burnette decided to let their dog, Ryder, film their wedding they weren’t sure how it would turn out (who would!) but this heartwarming video tells a story of it’s own.

    We think Ryder has a future in the business! Don’t you?

  • Greyhound Racing Industry Cannot Police Itself, Campaigners Warn

    Trusting the greyhound racing industry to police itself would be naive, warn animal welfare campaigners

    The greyhound racing industry cannot be trusted to police its own behaviour, so an independent watchdog with teeth is essential if the government is serious about stamping out neglect, cruel training practices and widespread injury insists the League Against Cruel Sports.

    As the racing industry’s treatment of greyhounds comes under close scrutiny with a government-led review, animal welfare campaigners League Against Cruel Sports believe that Defra’s recommendations are woefully inadequate and will do little to protect the welfare of racing dogs.

    Dr Toni Shephard, League Against Cruel Sports’ Head of Policy & Research said: “For too long, the tail has wagged the dog, with the government allowing the demands of the greyhound racing industry to take precedence over the animals’ welfare.

    “While it is good that Defra recognises the widespread concern about how the industry treats its racing dogs, the recommendations in its review are naïve and wholly inadequate.

    “Based on the greyhound racing industry’s dismal record in policing itself over the past 5 years and contrary to Defra’s position, we strongly believe that there is indeed a robust and compelling case for strengthened and independently enforced legislation.”

    The League believes that the inherent secrecy of the greyhound industry, its lack of accountability and inadequate legislation has allowed cruelty to flourish unchecked

    Dr Shephard added: ““It’s clear that the greyhound is only useful to its trainer as long as it can turn a profit. Isolated and neglected, these racing dogs are subjected to malnutrition, dangerous training practices and injury, often leading to an early death.

    “We strongly support the option to extend regulations to trainers’ kennels, but at the same time we need an effective and independent regulatory body which will ensure complete transparency, with publicly accessible injury records and retirement/euthanasia data a priority.

    The League’s research has uncovered a catalogue of cruelty to greyhounds and malpractice, including:

    Dogs are often housed alone in a small kennel with limited opportunity for exercise, no enrichment, outdoor access or contact with other dogs and clear signs of boredom and stress are apparent
    A commonplace cruel training practice includes greyhounds being tied to a moving treadmill and forcibly exercised. If the dog stops running, it can choke to death.
    Misuse of microchips including taking the chip out and swapping it to another dog, rendering the tracking of the greyhound’s fate impossible
    A high levels of track injuries, which go unreported because there is no requirement for the industry to publish injury statistics
    Trainers discarding greyhounds when they outlive their usefulness. Some of these unwanted dogs are sold to foreign tracks or euthanised, and a few are rehomed

    The League Against Cruel Sports is calling on the government to implement the following recommendations:

    An independent greyhound welfare regulatory body: to oversee all greyhound racing: The regulations must include trainers’ kennels
    Welfare and regulatory transparency: a law for the industry to disclose information on greyhound welfare, both nationally and at track level.
    Greyhound passports: thousands of dogs currently just disappear without trace. Mandatory microchipping will not be sufficient to track every dog from birth to death.
    Rehoming requirements: Healthy greyhounds should never be euthanised
    Breeding controls: Overbreeding and trade in greyhounds is rife, and a licensing regime is overdue

  • Former Chinese Millionaire Spends Fortune Saving China’s Forgotten Dogs

    Former Chinese millionaire Wang Yang has spent his fortune made in steel to save more than 2,000 of China’s stray dogs.

    News outlet, Sina News revealed that his journey to help abandoned dogs began after his beloved dog went missing in 2012. His search led him to a slaughterhouse where he was granted access to look around and since then, with the memories of what he saw, he felt compelled to help save China’s dogs from the meat trade.


    Photo Credit: Sina

    The 29 year old Changchun animal lover from Gelong town in the Jilin province once amassed a fortune of several millions but is now in debt due to his efforts to provide sanctuary to dogs in need before finding them loving new homes. According to Shanghaiist.com he used his wealth to purchase the then slaughterhouse and convert. His sanctuary is currently home to more than 200 dogs but has been a place of safety for 1000 before now.

    According to the website Mr Yang is worried about the winter ahead saying, “I do not accept monetary donations,” he explained. “I only hope that kind-hearted people will be able to donate a few supplies to help build a home from these 200 dogs.”