Total Dog Magazine

Category: Dog News

The latest dog news from around the world

Dog Who Dug His Way Into a Sticky Situation Rescued by Fire Crews

A terrier named Beau has been rescued after an animal welfare organisation joined forces with a local fire crew to save the plucky dog who got himself stuck after digging under a neighbour’s house in Wiltshire.

The RSPCA was called by a woman at lunchtime on 28 March with reports of a dog who had dug himself into the foundations of the neighbour’s house near Swindon.

Inspector Stephanie Daly attended along with a crew from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to work to free the dog.

“We were called by a woman who was looking after the dog, she explained, adding “Somehow Beau had run into a hole in the ground chasing a rat and then carried on digging.

“He managed to dig underneath the foundations of the neighbour’s house and got wedged with his little back legs poking out.

“When we arrived we could hear him growling now and again, and knew we needed to get him out quickly.”

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson and a crew from the fire & rescue service helped inspector Daly free the dog who, luckily, was unharmed by his ordeal.

“The fire officers were wonderful and went into the house to drill into the wall so we could reach down into the foundations and get hold of Beau,” Daly added.

“Very carefully we were able to pull him up and out of the hole and, thankfully, he wasn’t hurt.We’d like to say a big thank you to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service for their assistance. We’re always incredibly grateful for any help we receive from them and, in this case, their help ensured we were able to save little Beau.”

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesman, Matthew Brown, said: “As a fire and rescue service, we’re passionate about working together to change and save lives, be they of the two or four legged variety.

“The on-call crew from Royal Wootton Bassett were quick to respond to the call and we’re all really pleased that Beau was rescued quickly and safety, no worse for wear following his little adventure.”

April 6, 2017
Thai-Based Animal Welfare Organisation Win Award for Short Film About a Dog Named Cola

A Thai-based street dog and cat welfare organisation known for its efforts fighting the Asian dog meat trade has been awarded the ‘People’s Choice’ award at the inaugural British Charity Film Awards in London.

The short film entitled ‘Love Will Always Triumph Over Evil’ by Soi Dog Foundation tells the true story of a pup called Cola from Bangkok whose front legs were hacked off by a sword by an angry neighbour because Cola had chewed his shoes. The pup was saved by Soi Dog who paid for emergency medical treatment and fitting of prosthetic legs, before bringing him to Phuket, where he was adopted by co-founder of Soi Dog, Gill Dalley.

The British Charity Film Awards celebrate the charity sector’s use of film, whether for awareness building, changing attitudes and behaviours or for fund raising.

Over 375 charities entered the Awards, with just 36 actually making it through to the finals. Soi Dog’s “People’s Choice” award was voted for by members of the public. Over 65,000 people voted, with Soi Dog collecting just over 30,000 votes.

John Dalley, co-founder and President of Soi Dog Foundation said: “We are very grateful to all those who voted for us. It helps to bring knowledge of our work to a wider audience and highlights the plight of many homeless dogs and cats in this part of the world, as well as the cruel and horrific dog meat trade in Asia that we are trying to end. It is also more than a fitting tribute to Gill, who passed away last month, with the film demonstrating her pure compassion for animals who otherwise would have no-one else to help them. Gill would have been particularly happy at winning the People’s Choice awards. She was a woman of the people”.

Gill Dalley, pictured below, passed away last month following a brief battle with cancer. As a double leg amputee herself, Gill had formed an instant bond with Cola, understanding the issues he was going through in adjusting to life with prosthetic legs. The two became inseparable in the few months following Cola’s adoption by the couple. Cola is now being looked after by John at the family house in Phuket, along with numerous other street dogs and cats that the couple had adopted over the years.

This is the first time a Thai-based organisation has received a charity award in the United Kingdom and highlights the great efforts of all Asian-based not-for-profit organisations in making a sustainable difference to the lives of people, animals and the environment.

Dalley continued: “Thailand should be very proud of this award. It demonstrates how far the country has come in terms of improving the welfare of its animals. We are eternally grateful to the Thai people for all their support and assistance in improving the lives of street dogs and cats, and in ending the dog meat trade here”.

The Soi Dog Foundation short film on Cola and Gill was surprisingly made on a zero budget, in stark contrast to the professionally made films entered by the other charities. Dalley concluded, “Our supporters don’t want us to spend their money on initiatives that do not directly impact on the welfare of the dogs and cats here. We spend 92% of all donations directly on the animal welfare programmes we run on behalf of our supporters”.

March 25, 2017
Not a Single Day in Jail For Couple Who Left Their Dogs & Cats at Home While They Went on Holiday for TWO WEEKS

The RSPCA is reminding owners to provide for their pets when they go away after a Surrey couple went on a two-week holiday and left their two cats and a dog home alone without supervision or care.

The husband and wife were banned from keeping animals and given suspended prison sentences after one of the cats was found dead, and the other cat and dog found neglected in a dirty kitchen.

Zara Hicks (date of birth: 20/09/1979), and David James Hicks (date of birth 02/09/1975), both of Hemsby Road, Chessington, Surrey, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 March. They had previously pleaded guilty (on 22 February) to not making arrangements to provide adequate care and supervision for their pets, and causing unnecessary suffering to one of the cats by not providing proper and necessary veterinary care.

Both were disqualified from keeping all animals for 12 years and made to pay £400 in costs. Zara Hicks was also given a prison sentence of 20 weeks, suspended for 24 months, and a community order to do 200 hours of unpaid work. David Hicks was also given a prison sentence of 12 weeks, suspended for 24 months, and a community order of 160 hours of unpaid work.

The RSPCA visited their Surrey home in September after concern was raised to us about the brown female poodle cross called Honey, and a tortoiseshell male called Twitch and a tabby male called Dribble.

We arrived to discover Dribble already dead. He had been suffering from a tumour and associated illness which he had not received veterinary treatment for.

Twitch and Honey were neglected and distressed, but alive, living in a kitchen covered in faeces.

RSPCA chief inspector Kerry Gabriel said: “With the Easter holidays coming up, this case is a reminder to pet owners of the importance of ensuring their animals are safe and cared for when they go away.

“It is not enough to just leave a couple of bowls of food down – dogs, cats and, indeed, all domestic animals, need proper supervision and care.

“In this case one of the cats sadly died while the couple had gone away on their holiday for two weeks, due to lack of veterinary care. This would have been a very lonely and probably painful death, poor thing.

“The other two were very neglected and distressed, and covered in fleas. This was a case of pet owners completely failing to provide the care they should have.”

Honey and Twitch were taken by police and placed into RSPCA care, and we have looked after them ever since. The court issued a deprivation order so it is hoped we can find them new homes soon.

March 23, 2017
A Petition Backed By 30,000 Dog Lovers Is Being Handed to The Kennel Club, Will They Listen?

As Crufts 2017 gets underway many are questioning how the organisation behind intends to secure a future for one of Britain’s most beloved, but health riddled breeds – the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Or if they even care about the pain and suffering these dogs endure?

TV Vet and animal lover Emma Milne was one of the 30,000 who signed an online petition calling on The Kennel Club (KC) to tackle the breed’s health crisis and feels so strongly that she is set to break her 18-year boycott of the show to hand the petition to the organisation in person tomorrow (Friday).

Pictured above, Beebee (L) and Isla (R). Beebee is 4 years old but looks much older because she has Syringomyelia.

Milne has been an outspoken supporter of the pet owners’ campaign. In an interview with the Vet Times last year she called on the veterinary profession to be more vocal about this issue and said leaving testing to breeders wasn’t working.

“If show winners had to prove they had been health tested or face elimination, I can tell you things would change pretty damned quickly,” she said.

Supporters of the petition, including Craig Revel Horwood, Deborah Meadon, Pixie Lott and the RSPCA, want the KC to make testing mandatory for the two most serious conditions: a heart disease called Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Syringomyelia (SM), a distressing neurological disorder caused by dogs being bred with skulls too small for their brains.

“For too long those with the power to make a difference to Cavalier health – the breed clubs and Kennel Club – have done nothing. The pet-owning public have said enough is enough,” says Margaret Carter, a former health representative for the national committee of the CKCS Club turned whistleblower, who started the petition at Change.org.

“Research proves that breeding from dogs tested clear increases the chances of healthy puppies yet the KC refuses to take proper action. Families are seeing their loved pets living in pain and dying young. They want the KC to live up to its claim of “making a difference for dogs,” she adds.

Milne says, “I vowed I’d never return to Crufts on my last visit but I feel very strongly about this important campaign. Cavaliers are being let down very badly in this country. When will the KC stop seeing pound signs and start seeing sense? The UK is way behind much of Europe where other countries have seen dramatic improvements in disease prevalence in Cavaliers through robust testing.”

Many European countries have mandatory health testing for Cavaliers, including Denmark where the risk of MVD has fallen by over 73 per cent for the breed since compulsory heart testing was introduced. The condition is the biggest killer of Cavaliers in the UK (20 times more prevalent than any other breed) and the KC’s own Breed Health Survey stated they are dying 17 months earlier than a decade ago. However, there is no KC heart scheme in this country.

The distressing neurological condition SM came to the public’s attention in 2008 when the BBC aired the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. This showed dogs screaming in agony and revealed top show Cavaliers with this inherited disease being used for breeding against veterinary advice. In the aftermath, the BBC ditched its coverage of Crufts and the KC launched a screening scheme for SM.

However, the health scheme has been boycotted by breeders (in five years results for only 256 KC-registered Cavaliers have been submitted while thousands of puppies have been bred) and campaigners say many successful show breeders continue to set a bad example by ignoring breeding guidelines.

“Internationally accepted breeding protocols state that Cavaliers should not be bred before 2.5 years old but again and again we see dogs with more rosettes than health test certificates and being bred far too young, such as a recent Cavalier Best of Breed winner at Crufts that had fathered a litter of puppies before his first birthday,” says Margaret Carter.

“The many thousands of comments on the online petition illustrate not only how widespread these health problems are and the terrible impact they have on Cavaliers and the families who care for them but also how out of step with public feeling the Kennel Club and small but powerful inner circle of show breeders are.”

March 9, 2017
US Senators Seek to Amend Animal Welfare Act to Ban Dog and Cat Meat Trade in America

The US may be under the political spotlight across the globe as election battle matters continue to ripple after last year’s shock presidential result, but a bill to introduce tighter laws for animal welfare has united four US representatives across both parties.

US Representatives Alcee L. Hastings, Vern Buchanan, Dave Trott, and Brendan Boyle have introduced legislation to ban the dog and cat meat trade in the United States, winning praise from those who continue to fight to end the dog and cat meat trade across Asia.

In a move to stop the cruel trade from taking hold in the United States, the bill (the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act of 2017) would amend the U.S Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the slaughter and trade of dogs and cats for human consumption and would provide penalties for individuals involved in the dog or cat meat trade.

In the United States, dog and cat meat eating is limited but the new bill will prevent domestic trade and imports, and serve as an important symbol of unity with countries and regions such as Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan that have dog meat bans in place.

Pictured above (L-R), CoS Lale, Congressman Hastings and celebrity dog lover Bonnie-Jill Laflin, as the star met with the duo saying on Twitter “Great seeing friend @RepHastingsFL & CoS Lale, 2 continue our talks on his work on ending dog/cat meat trade! He has reintroduced the Res!”

Bonnie-Jill Laflin introduced her two new rescue dogs, Jo Montana (R) and Jaclyn Chan (L) last year – Jaclyn Chan is a survivor of the dog meat trade

30 million dogs a year are killed, cats too

Humane Society International (HSI) is one of the leading organisations campaigning across Asia to end the dog meat trade that sees around 30 million dogs a year killed for human consumption. It’s a trade that subjects dogs to horrifying treatment and similar problems face an untold number of cats.

Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement for Humane Society International (HSI) said: “Through our work in China, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia, we are urging policy makers to take decisive steps to end the trade. A similar law here in the United States would show important solidarity with those that have already enacted bans and inspire more to join the cause. We applaud Congressmen Hastings, Buchanan, Trott and Boyle for introducing this bill and their commitment to ending this brutal trade.”

Calling an end to the dog meat trade in Asia has become an issue forefront in many dog lovers minds, including Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump who has used her position on the show to shine a light

Putting pressure on Asia politically

Last year, and again this year, Congressman Hastings introduced a Congressional Resolution condemning China’s Yulin dog meat festival. Dog meat traders in China launched the festival in 2010 to increase sales, but popular outcry, both internationally and within China, has dramatically reduced the scope of the festival that takes place every year during the summer solstice. HSI and its Chinese partner groups have been on the ground every year to uncover the cruelty of the festival, and to stop the illegal transport of dogs into Yulin. Last year, HSI and its local partners rescued 170 dogs and cats from slaughterhouses on the outskirts of Yulin and transported them to the US, UK and Canada for adoption.

“Many people would be shocked to learn that it is still legal to slaughter dogs and cats for the purpose of human consumption in 44 states,” said Congressman Hastings. “This legislation will prohibit these practices and unify the animal cruelty laws across our country by explicitly prohibiting the slaughter and consumption of our most beloved companions. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight against these cruel and inhumane practices.”

March 9, 2017
Soi Dog Foundation Shortlisted for British Charity Film Awards & Need Your Votes!

Across social media, you will sometimes see a video showing a dog in a situation that as an animal lover makes you thankful for those who helped turn their future around, giving them the happy ending that all dogs deserve.

Last year the Thailand-based organisation, Soi Dog Foundation released a video of a dog named Cola who they had rescued. Cola was rescued in Bangkok and the puppy was found injured. Both of his front legs had been cut off by a sword after Cola had chewed his neighbour’s shoes.

The video tells the story of Cola’s treatment after the attack, the fitting of her prosthetic legs, and his adoption by Gill Dalley, a co-founder of Soi Dog Foundation, herself a double leg amputee, who has since passed away.

Entitled “Love Will Always Triumph Over Evil”, the key message is about giving animals a second chance at life and has been viewed more than 77,000 times on the video platform, Vimeo.

The video was submitted to this year’s British Charity Film Awards where they have reached the final stages alongside five other entrants for the main ‘Charity Film Awards’ prize, where a panel of judges will decide their fate.

But you can get involved still.

How you can help Cola and Soi Dog Foundation

The video has also been submitted to the award’s ‘People’s Choice’ category, which is voted for by the public.

Gill’s husband, John commented on the video’s success so far saying, “Gill would be immensely proud that the film of her and Cola is a finalist at the British Charity Film Award. Gill worked tirelessly to highlight the plight of dogs and cats in Asia, so for her, it’s all about making more people aware of the situation in this part of the world”.

Watch the video and cast your vote by 10th March to have your say: http://www.charityfilmawards.com/videos/soi-dog-foundation

March 7, 2017
Soi Dog Foundation Co-Founder Gill Dalley Passes Away, but Her Legacy Will Live On

Today we received the sad news that Gill Dalley, co-founder of Soi Dog Foundation has passed away after a short battle with cancer aged 58.

The news comes shortly after the organisation announced that their work with other organisations led to the news that South Korea is due to vote shortly for harsher penalties for animal cruelty, in the hope of creating a brighter future for the country’s animals.

In a statement released by Soi Dog Foundation, they recapped some of her achievements:

Gill was the inaugural winner of the Canine Hero of the year award at the 2011 Animals for Asia conference in Chengdu China.

She was also the first non-Asian by birth to be named an Asian of the year by Channel News Asia Singapore in their annual awards.

Building Soi Dog Foundation

Gill and her husband, John, moved to Phuket in 2003 from Yorkshire. The couple had witnessed the horrendous stray dog and cat problem while holidaying and wanted to do something. It was then that the couple teamed up with Margot Homburg, a Dutch retiree who had registered Soi Dog Foundation as a Dutch foundation the year before and had been sterilizing dogs in her home city of Bangkok, before moving to Phuket.

Battling Adversities & Tsunamis

Working together as dog catchers and nurses the three of them started to run mobile clinics, utilising volunteer vets from overseas, mainly at their own expense. Barely a year later, Gill who had been weakened by a broken rib, darted a dog which ran into a flooded former rice paddy. In retrieving the dog she unknowingly became infected by a rare soil borne bacteria. She developed septicemia a few days later and was given a 10% chance of survival.

Beating the odds, she did however, lose both her lower legs and suffered damage to her arms. In December 2004, she discharged herself from hospital determined she would be home by Christmas. Three days after discharge the Asian tsunami struck, killing her best friend and volunteer Leone Cosens. Gill, still wheelchair bound, initially counselled survivors and relatives of victims before commencing to work at mobile clinics throughout the area.

She taught herself to walk again, and for the past 12 years refused to ever use her wheelchair, despite her stumps often being covered with blisters and ulcers, and enduring the pain that involved.

Fighting the Dog Meat Trade & Helping Street Dogs

With Margot forced to take early retirement through ill health, she became the driving force in expanding the work of Soi Dog Foundation, including the establishing of its first shelter.

Whilst husband John focused on the illegal Thai dog meat trade, it was Gill who took the lead in expanding Soi Dog’s sterilisation programme, preventing literally millions of unwanted puppies and kittens being born with no future, and at the same time fulfilling Leone’s dream to establish a shelter for dogs that had been victims of cruelty and abuse, and discarded puppies too young to fend for themselves.

Over the past three years, she designed and oversaw the building of the largest hospital entirely dedicated to street dogs in Asia, and a shelter facility that is probably unmatched anywhere in the world. A perfectionist by nature, everything had to be right, even to the type of screws used to attach fittings. Every building at the shelter including the cat hospital was designed by Gill, determined to provide the best possible care for those dogs and cats that had nowhere else to turn.

Gill’s Legacy

A diplomat she was not. She had no interest in politics. To Gill, only the animals mattered and anybody who failed to meet her standards was soon gone.

Today Soi Dog Foundation is the largest foundation in Asia working with stray dogs and cats.

Read more about the life of a dog in Thailand, recapping Gill’s work and the work of Soi Dog Foundation here

Currently employing nearly 200 staff, registered in seven countries and aiming to achieve 100,000 sterilisations per year, and end the cruel Asian dog meat industry, it is expanding its operations to other countries in the region as well as throughout Thailand. Without Gill and her determination to carry on and beat the odds, Soi Dog Foundation simply would not exist today, and the stray dogs and cats of the region have lost one of their greatest champions.

Sadly, despite fighting bravely for the past few weeks she faced a battle that even she could not overcome.

She leaves husband John to continue their work and her family of rescued dogs and cats.

Our thoughts go out to John and all at Soi Dog Foundation.

February 13, 2017
South Korea to Vote on Stricter Penalties for Animal Cruelty in What Could Be First Steps to Ban Dog Meat Trade
South Korean Assembly due to vote on plans to strengthen animal welfare law after a petition signed by over 450,000 people from 230 countries was handed to Assemblyman Pyo Chang-Won, who is the South Korean Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee.

The Assembly announced intentions to strengthen laws governing the treatment and protection of animals in the country by introducing a three-point plan designed to impose stricter penalties for animal cruelty in a move which has been seen by local and international animal welfare organisations as the first step towards banning the sale and consumption of dog meat in the country.

Announcing plans at a media conference, Assemblyman Pyo Chang-Won was supported by Nami Kim, founder of Save Korean Dogs, John Dalley, co-founder and president of Thai-based Soi Dog Foundation, Chris DeRose of Last Chance for Animals, and Kevin Bright, film and documentary producer and director, all of whom have given the country’s animals a voice and pushed for change.

The proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Law include:
- Significantly increased penalties for breaches of existing law
- Greater clarity regarding what actually constitutes violations of the law
- Allowing for the confiscation of animals deemed at risk by members of the public
This development is being viewed by many as a precursor to the outright banning of the dog meat industry, in a country where between two and three million farmed dogs are killed and eaten each year.

Over 17,000 dog meat farms currently exist in South Korea, with the dog meat trade itself seen as a blight on the social and economic status of the country.

John Dalley of Soi Dog Foundation, who presented Assemblyman Pyo Chang-Won with the petition says, “We will continue to work with South Korea’s Animal Welfare committee to see the Bill’s amendments brought into law, as well as continue public awareness and education campaigns to bring greater awareness to the inhumane dog meat industry here. South Korea is one of the world’s leading nations in virtually every field, including being voted the world’s most innovative country. Yet in one area it lags far behind, and that area is animal welfare.”

As Mahatma Gandhi once famously quoted “The greatness and moral progress of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Sadly, the image of Korea internationally is all too often tarnished by the cruelty and inhumanity shown by a small minority of its people, and thought of by many as an undeveloped nation as a result.”

Assemblyman Pyo Chang-Won is expected to present the proposed legislative changes to the Animal Welfare Law to the South Korean Assembly at the end of February 2017.
February 3, 2017
Dog Being Nursed Back to Health Has Life Saved After ‘Banned’ Status Overturned

A Bull Terrier type dog named Missy has been saved after her banned status was overturned and the government’s last ditch attempt to reinstate the original sentence failed.

The neglected dog was originally taken into the RSPCA’s care where she was nursed back to health before the judge who oversaw the owner’s neglect case chose to classify Missy as a banned breed and issued her with a death sentence.

A judge later revoked this, but DEFRA, the government department, stepped in to challenge the order, arguing that magistrates who had made the later ruling didn’t have the power to do so and wanted the original banned status and death sentence to stand.

Missy after being nursed back to health

Rachel McKenzie admitted in court to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog was handed her a community order only by way of punishment.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/legalexpertsuk

Missy had been given to Rachel McKenzie by an ex-partner as a gift and after learning of the neglect she suffered and original court case, he recruited Parry Welch Lacey LLP, a solicitor’s firm experienced in handling dog cases such as Missy’s to challenge her death sentence.

Today she can begin her new life and we wish her lots of luck and love.

January 31, 2017
6 in 10 Dog Owners Suspect Pets of Suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
New research out this week claims that 6 in 10 dog owners suspect their dogs of suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Often more associated with humans than man’s best friend, SAD, also known as the winter blues is a type of depression that recurs on a seasonal basis.

Experts believe that the less time spent outside in the sunshine during winter months can cause dogs to suffer the same symptoms as humans who have the seasonal condition – and with British dog owners admitting to walking their dogs up to 50% less in the winter months, this could lead to problems in itself.

The research, which was commissioned by Forthglade, has revealed that of the 61% of dog owners who are concerned about their pets’ behaviour over the winter months, an increased appetite, a reluctance to go outside, low mood and lethargy are the most common signs picked up on by the pet owners.

Almost half (44%) also told the dog food firm that they had consulted a behaviourist about concerns.

Speaking about the findings dog behaviourist Nick Jones, said: “The long dark days of winter don’t just take a toll on the two-legged population. Our four-legged friends also feel the strain with many exhibiting symptoms that replicate the human condition Seasonal Affective Disorder.

“Lethargy, an increased appetite, irritability and a reluctance to go outside and exercise are typical behaviours exhibited by dogs in the colder months when natural sunlight is at a minimum.

“There are simple steps dog owners can take to help their pets. Taking walks in daylight hours is a must, and good nutrition also plays a very big part. Poor diet can be directly linked to lethargy and depression within canines. It’s more important than ever during winter months to feed your dog a healthy natural diet – comfort eating in winter is as bad for pets as it is for humans.”

Nick offers these top tips if you are concerned about your dog suffering from Seasonal Affected Disorder:
- During the week, when your time is limited, try placing your pet’s bed under a skylight or close to a window to help take advantage of what little light there is
- Nutrition also plays a big part, and poor diet can be directly linked to lethargy and depression within canines
- Play games inside the home to stimulate the dog, such as ‘find it’ games up the stairs and in rooms, indoor agility or ‘take it and leave it’ games
- No matter the size or shape, the garden also offers a great outdoor space for your dog to get some natural sunlight
- Feed your dog a healthy, natural diet with no artificial additives – eating poor quality dog food, or even our leftover food can increase behavioural problems and isn’t good for your dog’s overall health
January 26, 2017
A Dog’s Purpose Producers Responds to Claims of Cruelty During Filming

Producers of ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ have responded to claims of cruelty during filming after video footage surfaced showing a terrified dog being forced into turbulent water. After being forced into the water, the dog was quickly submerged before someone yelled ‘cut it’ and the dog was helped.

Still taken from official movie trailer, taken from the scene of the dog jumping into water to save someone

The movie, which is produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, is supposed to be a celebration of the special connection between humans and their dogs. And the producers say it is in the spirit of this relationship, the Amblin production team followed rigorous protocols to foster an ethical and safe environment for the animals.

The statement released by the producers reads:

“While we continue to review the circumstances shown in the edited footage, Amblin is confident that great care and concern was shown for the German Shepherd Hercules, as well as for all of the other dogs featured throughout the production of the film. There were several days of rehearsal of the water scenes to ensure Hercules was comfortable with all of the stunts. On the day of the shoot, Hercules did not want to perform the stunt portrayed on the tape so the Amblin production team did not proceed with filming that shot.

Hercules is happy and healthy.”

Entertainment website TMZ, who exclusively revealed the video footage, confirm they believe director Lasse Hallström was present during the German Shepherd’s ordeal, and at least one member of the crew was extremely disturbed by the dog’s treatment during this scene.

Since this footage came to light animal lovers have taken to the movie’s social media pages to voice their discuss and intentions to boycott.

January 19, 2017
This Dog Changed Her Owner’s Life & Now She’s Been Awarded an Animal OBE

A loyal Spaniel has become the fourth dog to receive an animal OBE – the prestigious PDSA Order of Merit – for outstanding devotion to her disabled owner.

The working Cocker Spaniel, Molly, was honoured by the veterinary charity after being nominated by her twenty-three year old owner Lucy Watts MBE. The award acknowledges the tremendous impact Molly has on Lucy’s life and the unique bond they share.

Lucy suffers with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which, coupled with other health complications, can leave her feeling withdrawn, isolated and unhappy. Lucy’s condition is classed as life-limiting. Prior to Molly’s arrival in her life, she had been struggling to cope with the chronic pain and was bed-bound due to complications.

Molly joined the Watts household as an eight-week-old puppy and immediately lifted Lucy’s spirits. She said: “Molly helped give me something to focus on. Puppies bring so much joy anyway but Molly was like a ray of light for me. She gave me the motivation to get up and out of bed again.”

Before Molly, Lucy recalls that she often felt ignored when out in public. Now, taking Molly out gives her greater confidence to interact with people and she feels they see past her wheelchair.

Molly has now been trained as an assistance dog so she can help Lucy with everyday tasks which would otherwise be impossible and also protects Lucy, warning her if her temperature spikes and when her blood pressure drops, allowing her to lie her wheelchair down to prevent a collapse.

Lucy continued: “Molly is the best companion I could ask for. She seems to instinctively know if I’m in pain or not. She never tries to jump up for a cuddle if I’m uncomfortable.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled she has been awarded the PDSA Order of Merit. She was never intended as an assistance dog but her devotion to me and her training has never wavered. I would be lost without her.”

The confidence Molly gave Lucy led to her working with charities as an Ambassador and Trustee, which included giving speeches and writing blogs. For this work Lucy was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours.

January 19, 2017
Anti-BSL Organisation Sends Clear Message to UK Dog Law Makers ‘Have a Heart’

A leading anti-bsl campaign and lobbying organisation have launched a campaign today asking the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to have a #Haveaheart and show ‘Where is the Love?’ for our dogs.

The non-profit group, Born Innocent, have launched their #Haveaheart campaign and are calling on the public to flood DEFRA with Valentine’s cards, asking them to ‘Have a Heart’ and end breed specific legislation, which has done nothing to reduce dog bites and attacks, and yet every year innocent dogs lose their lives, not because of what they have done, but purely because of how they look and how the act judges ‘type’ dogs.

Key facts about the Dangerous Dogs Act

Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in 1991 due to a spate of dog bite incidents.

However, since its introduction, dog bites and attacks have risen and continue to rise.

Figures for 2016 show that dog bites rose by 5% according to NHS figures (versus a population rise of 0.6%), on top of a rise of 76% in the previous 10 years.

Experts condemn approach of targeting dogs based on looks

Critics have long argued that pursuing dogs based on their looks alone does not keep the public safe from dog bites or attacks and that unfairly targeting owners with dogs, who fit the characteristics of a banned breed, do nothing more than penalise, on the whole, innocent family pets and puts both emotional and financial strain on hard working people.

Peer reviewed scientific research by many leading academics and scientists, such as International Psychologist, Dr Dr Páraic Ó Súilleabháin, has extensively shown that ineffectiveness of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in preventing serious injury, as it lacks any efficacy as a public health measure and bite prevention.

Indeed, according to a study on the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, in order to prevent one dog-bite hospitalisation in a city or town by a given breed, in excess of 100,000 dogs of the identified breeds would have to be removed completely from the population. Figures would need to be doubled to prevent a second dog-bite hospitalisation, and so on.

The campaign aims to highlight to the government just how strongly the public disagrees with this piece of legislation and are asking people to send their cards to DEFRA by 14th February 2017.

Professor John Cooper QC, Patron of Born Innocent, said, “This legislation has failed to protect the public from dog bites. It was a knee jerk reaction by Parliament 25 years ago, to a spate of high profile incidents and it is time to apply mature thought to produce an Act which works both for the dogs, their owners and the public.”

Born Innocent Board Member, Shaila Bux, added, “over the last year we have been having some helpful meetings with key decision and policy makers, such as The Law Commission and the London Assembly.

This campaign is part of an overall strategy to repeal breed specific legislation and introduce reforms that
do not see innocent dogs die or dog owners left with huge legal bills or worse, a criminal record.

Get involved in the campaign to encourage UK lawmakers to ‘Have a Heart’ by visiting the Born Innocent Facebook page at @borninnocentdda or visit their website at www.borninnocent.co.uk

January 16, 2017
Did You Know Ticks Are Danger to Dogs Even in Winter?

A new study carried out by The University of Salford has found that ticks present a risk all year round, not just warmer months.

The research, which was sponsored by animal health firm, Merial, launched in 2013 and has found that ticks continued to quest in woodlands throughout the year, even during the coldest months with ticks being detected on dogs throughout the year.

These findings come hot on the heels of recent analysis of veterinary practice electronic health records which showed the presence of ticks on pets in all weeks between December and March.

Post graduate student Jessica Hall has been running the study since 2013, which has also involved running Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of DNA from Lyme disease (Borrelia burdorferi) on the collected ticks, with this data due to be released early next year.

Lynda Maris, a Product Manager at Merial Animal Health says the study findings send out an important message to vets and pet owners, “It’s been thought for some time that ticks are very inactive or even dormant in winter and don’t present a risk. These findings show that they continue to quest in an attempt to find a host and are often successful. If ticks are attaching and feeding during the winter months, the risk of Lyme disease and babesiosis remains a real possibility. If the appropriate product is selected, the same year-round treatment programme that controls fleas and other parasites, will also treat ticks and thus help reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.”

January 9, 2017
More Than 50,000 Animal Lovers Back Campaign to #EndBSL in UK

More than 50,000 people have backed an online campaign calling for an end to the controversial legislation which bans four types of dogs being kept in the UK. Four months since the launch, groups, bodies and individuals from around the world have also supported the RSPCA petition.

In August, the animal welfare charity launched its campaign calling for the Government to hold a public inquiry into section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) which uses breed specific legislation (BSL) to ban Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Fila Brazilieros, and Dogo Argentinos.

The campaign – called #EndBSL – sought to raise awareness of the plight of thousands of dogs whose welfare is compromised due to the law and also highlight the ineffectiveness of the legislation at protecting public safety.

Four months on, the RSPCA’s petition has been signed by more than 52,000 people and the charity’s opposition to BSL has received support from around the world.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines – lead author of the charity’s BSL report which is titled ‘A Dog’s Dinner’ – said: “Our message is simple: BSL is ineffective in protecting public safety and results in the suffering and euthanasia of many dogs. We believe BSL should be repealed and issues surrounding human safety tackled using education and effective legislative measures that do not unnecessarily compromise dog welfare.

“Since publishing our report and launching our campaign in August – marking 25 years since the Dangerous Dogs Act was implemented – we’ve received support from around the world, not only from members of the public, dog lovers and people who have experienced the devastating effects of BSL first-hand, but also from other UK and international organisations, charities and bodies.”

The need to repeal BSL has already been backed by more than 30 organisations around the world, from countries as far-flung as Australia, Japan and USA.

Renowned experts including Dr Emily Blackwell and Dr Emma Milne are also in support, as well as behaviourists Sarah Fisher – and her actor partner, Anthony Head – and Victoria Stilwell.

Dr Milne said: “The Dangerous Dogs Act, that came into force in 1991, was and remains one of the most pointless laws we’ve ever had. The fact is that dogs’ behaviour is dictated by so many factors beyond their breed.

“If we had used the last 20 odd years using the law to make people better dog owners it would have been a much better use of the law.

“The whole thing has been a mess for far too long and the time has come for the law to be repealed and for the politicians to try and do something constructive to improve the lives of dogs and reduce bite injuries.”

And Dr Valerie Jonckheer-Sheehy, chair of the Dutch Veterinary Behaviour Group, said: “Breed specific legislation will not resolve dog bite incidents.

“The focus must be on educating the public on dog behaviour and welfare, and ensuring that dog breeders breed healthy animals who are able to cope with the mental demands that they may be challenged within their day-to-day life.”

In another positive step, in December, the London Assembly unanimously agreed to support a motion for the Mayor of the city to write to the Secretary for State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs officially requesting an inquiry into the law.

“Hopefully, with the support of these wonderful organisations and the backing of tens of thousands of voices, we stand a chance of getting the Government to sit up and listen,” Dr Gaines added.

“It’s high time we made a change that will not only make the public in the UK safer, but will also ensure dogs are not punished for simply looking a certain way.”

In November, Becky Hughes discovered the BSL issue for the first time – when one of her two blue Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 18-month-old Chesney (pictured above), was seized by police under Section 1 of the DDA.

He was taken away and returned a few days later under the interim exemption scheme. Becky, from Chester-le-Street, must now go through the court process to have Chesney exempted permanently.

She said: “What doesn’t make sense is that Chesney is being punished when he has done nothing wrong.

“I had no idea about BSL, what it meant, or how common it is? It baffles me. Even the police said Chesney is a lovely, friendly dog but look what the legislation is doing to him? It’s crazy.”

January 6, 2017