Total Dog Magazine

Category: Magazine

  • Why Won’t DEFRA Support a Repeal Breed Specific Legislation? Myths, of Course

    Why Won’t DEFRA Support a Repeal Breed Specific Legislation? Myths, of Course

    Today marked the final day of the EFRA Committee’s oral evidence sessions into breed specific legislation.

    While previous sessions have seen various experts, police chiefs, vets, behaviourists and animal charity workers, give evidence about breed specific legislation in the UK to the committee, today Senior DEFRA Civil servant Marc Casale gave evidence and the position his organisation seem steadfast in holding is quite frankly disturbing, especially when you hear his reasons.

    Currently, four dog breeds are banned in the UK under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. These are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro.

    This piece of legislation deems dogs dangerous based solely on their physical appearance, not behaviour or genetics, and as a result, cross-breed dogs can be deemed ‘type’ – purely because of their size and appearance.

    As a result, the dog can be seized from their home and owners because the dog is suspected, without evidence or wrongdoing, to be related to a banned breed – having done nothing wrong except look a certain way. In some cases, they can be taken and locked up in kennels for months, even years, while their owners fight to save their lives.

    During previous evidence sessions with the EFRA Committee, experts have sought to share experiences and as a result, debunk myths around dangerous dogs.

    Mark Berry, representing local government, said the evidence “shows breed specification doesn’t work” and Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard; lead for dangerous dogs, National Police Chiefs Council told the inquiry he was happy for the Dangerous Dogs Act “to be looked at again.”

    But today Senior DEFRA Civil servant Marc Casale undermined all of that by sharing outdated and frankly, inexcusable views stated as fact, which could see more dogs needlessly die purely because of how they look rather than act.

    Casale said they were unwilling to consider a repeal of Section One and delivered worrying information about one of the banned breeds  –the Pit Bull Terrier – stating they are inherently dangerous and can lock their jaws.

    Wrong. So just in case DEFRA decide to educate themselves, let’s clear something up: Pit Bulls cannot lock their jaws.

    Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Ph.D., Senior Scientist of University of Georgia has studied this and concluded, “There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of ‘locking mechanism’ unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier”.

    Shockingly, DEFRA also refused again the many calls from rescue centres to be able to rehome innocent dogs who have displayed no aggressive behaviour but are condemned to death simply on looks alone as a result of this legislation.

    When the committee asked Casale whether dogs like these should be considered acceptable ‘collateral damage’ of the policy the Minister responded ‘yes’.

    Speaking afterwards, Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs said “Blue Cross is extremely disappointed at the evidence presented today from DEFRA. A wealth of scientific evidence has been put forward to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of this law and the number of innocent dogs who are losing their lives. In the face of this, representatives seem happy to stick to the mantra about some breeds being inherently dangerous; something which is simply not true.

    “We would welcome a more concise piece of Dangerous Dogs legislation which would be easier to enforce and allow them to concentrate on the deed of the dog rather than the breed.

    “This would help them to focus on securing swifter prosecutions of irresponsible dog owners and ensure a consistent approach by police forces, local authorities and courts across the country.

    “We know there is a postcode lottery when it comes to how dogs suspected of being Section One are treated across the country by police forces and local authorities who are under-funded and may lack the necessary resources and knowledge to properly enforce the current law

    “This means many innocent dogs suffer because of a lack of understanding of the haphazard and overcomplicated legislation.

    “No dog can be classed as dangerous simply based on how they look. Breed specific legislation is failing to protect the public and leading to thousands of innocent dogs being put to sleep or kennelled unnecessarily while dog attacks continue to rise.”

    Should we be surprised the Government aren’t taking notice of experts?

    Possibly not. It was only yesterday they made it known that they don’t wish to reform pet theft laws to reclassify pets as more than an inanimate object.

    You can still make a difference and make your opinion known to DEFRA and your local MP. The tide may turn at some point.

  • New Pet Theft Laws Unlikely as MP Reveals Government Position

    New Pet Theft Laws Unlikely as MP Reveals Government Position

    A petition to make pet theft laws stronger in a bid to deter criminals and recognise pets as more than inanimate objects has been debated in Westminster, but the government’s stance is likely to disappoint pet owners.

    MP George Eustice has revealed that Theresa May’s Conservative government was “not convinced” that a change in the law is required because they feel the 1968 Theft Act “does provide sufficient sanctions” – something no doubt argued by those who have had a dog stolen, with criminals receiving little more than a slap on the wrist when found guilty.

    Over recent months, supported by celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Jorgie Porter and Miranda Hart, the petition has gathered momentum and the debate was triggered after reaching its target of 100,000 signatures.

    A passionate speech was given by Labour MP Mike Hill, who presented the debate in Westminster.

    Dog thefts are on the rise with five dogs being stolen every day and just one in five being returned to their owner, according to pet insurer Direct Line. Pet owners want a new law to reflect the fact that our pets are more than just property.

    Prit Powar, Head of Direct Line Pet Insurance commented saying, “While the law does allow for a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment for theft, pet theft is classified as property and a monetary value is assigned, meaning that custodial sentences are rarely enforced.

    “As such, this is unfortunately seen by offenders as a high-reward, low-risk crime. The emotional trauma endured by those who have had a dog stolen needs to be reflected in the sentences handed down.”

    Conservative MP Ross Thomson said changes to the law must be made in order to reflect the “deep emotional harm” that families face if their dog is stolen and plans to present an amended law in the House of Commons soon.

    Responding to the MP on behalf of the government, Mr Eustice said the way the legislation treats pet theft “doesn’t take away from the fact that they’re more than just property”, adding that the most up to date sentencing guidelines for police forces reflect thefts that cause “emotional distress to the victim”, which in their opinion means pet theft is already in a category of offences that can be awarded jail sentences of one or two years.

  • Recommended Dogs For First Time Owners

    Which breeds of dog would be recommended for first time dog owners?

    This question is simultaneously easy to answer and yet utterly brimming with controversy. Why, you might ask, could such a simple query as finding out which breeds are recommended for first time dog owners prove to be anything other than simple?

    Well, it’s because of the following three reasons.

    1. There are lots of dog breeds, many of which would come highly recommended for first time owners
    2. There are lots of breeds who share similar traits but are still subject to plenty of fluctuations depending on the quality of the breeder and the dog’s initial socialisation
    3. Finally, it’s very difficult to recommend dogs to first time owners without knowing the specific lifestyle of those first time owners. After all, a first time owner could be someone who’s just moved to a farm or a flat.

    See, I did warn you this was tricky!

    Let’s give it a good go though shall we?

    The Labrador Retriever

    Universally regarded as a superb family dog and ideal recommendation if this is to be your first time as a dog owner, this chap is friendly, he’s easy to train, he is obsessive about his personal hygiene and more handsome than George Clooney and Brad Pitt put together. Labrador Retrievers are generally fairly laid back in a family environment, combining a playful streak with a propensity to sit in quiet contemplation while you lot tuck into dinner, owning one will enable you to maintain an active social life so long as you consider the practical needs of the dog, such as garden breaks and feeding.

    The Labrador Retriever has the distinct advantage of not requiring a lot of grooming. In fact, you only need to worry about them shedding twice per year (for six months at a time sadly!)

    Couple this with this with his intelligent, affable and obedient nature and you’re onto a sure winner. And let’s not forget that these guys, when they are young, are in fact Andrex puppies, so a ten out of ten for general cuteness as well.

    A respectable runner up rosette goes to a dog which surely is the pride of many a family and a top commendation for first time owners the world over.

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    The Staffy has copped a fair bit of bad publicity recently and has done so in the past, but it has to be said that thousands of families nationwide are benefiting from his loyalty and friendliness as we speak. When it comes to Staffies, in the immortal words of Public Enemy ‘don’t believe the hype’! Staffies are superb family pets and they tend to have a naturally protective disposition toward children in particular.

    A relatively small dog, who is particularly suited to the smaller house environment, the Staffy fits in to all family set ups well. A short, coarse coat means that the doggy brush will not need de-fleecing every two days and the Dyson will be able to get up the stairs without choking to death.

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a bold, affectionate dog who loves children. He is also quite a strong little character, Phil Buckley, of the Kennel Club, says the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is “a good all round family pet, robust enough to suffer rough play from children and intelligent and obedient enough to be well behaved around the home and amongst strangers.”

    Poodle (miniature)

    Elegance and a robust personality go hand in hand with the Poodle. But why the Miniature variety? Well, the bigger the Poodle, the less likely he is to be as playful as his smaller cousins, they just tend to be more laid back the bigger they get.

    This Poodle has some outstanding personality bonus points, but then you get to the coat. Short, curly fur sheds less and this makes the breed ideal for people who are looking for a low shedding dog breed and / or people who may be sensitive to dog hairs.

    Just missing out on a top spot recommendation is the Golden retriever.

    A hugely popular dog, with an adorable personality. The Golden Retriever is a dog that looks great, with his shiny thick coat but he also sounds great. He loves a good bark now and then, which can be inconvenient if you have a baby upstairs trying to get some kip.

    On the plus side, this chap is always up for playing, and is strong enough to withstand a bit of rough and tumble when the kids get a bit older, secretly I think he loves a bit of a wrestle, and he is a gentleman about it too.

    It is common opinion that this dog is so well behaved and easy to train, that the kids could in fact pick up a few pointers off him and if kids can do it, one would expect novice dog owners could pick up the general idea fairly quickly as well! Once again, his long fur has let him down in the perfect pet department, but if you are that mad about Golden Retrievers, you won’t mind a bit of extra vacuuming and will soon find that this lad really is a Super Fury Animal.

    Next up is the Yorkshire Terrier ideal for first time owners?

    This is one of the most popular dogs in the UK, so he must be doing something right. However, his suitability as a dog for a young family or first time dog owners may not match his popularity with more experienced owners. Dogs this small always run the risk of being trodden on or kicked by clumsy youngsters. Do the same to a GSD and he will hardly notice, but a Yorkie could be seriously injured if in the wrong place at the wrong time, perhaps sleeping by a door.

    Yorkies are easy to train though, which goes some way to explain their huge popularity, and they do love to play, when it suits them. Being a terrier, this little fella may get a bit protective of his owner when guests pop round for tea. But if your one desire is a dog that will curl up on your lap for an afternoon snooze, then look no further, this is the dog for you. Look for a pet shop with yorkie puppies for sale. But if you want a dog that loves a bit of hands on play then perhaps our next entrant is more up your street.

    The Greyhound

    The good old Greyhound is not far off being the perfect family dog. But misinformation has resulted in this dog getting a reputation as a bad pet due to his constant need to be exercised, what utter rubbish! The Greyhound needs as much exercise as any other dog his size, he just happens to be a fast runner. Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Greyhound suffers from a totally undeserved image problem. Don’t buy in to the myths. First time dog owners would do well to consider this beautiful breed.

    Dogs For Adoption That Recommended For First Time Owners

    One of the very best ways to increase your chances of getting a dog that will be good with first time owners is to adopt one. Now I know you’re probably wondering why adopting a dog as your first foray in to dog ownership would be recommended. The answer is simple; Dog adoption shelters are experienced and knowledgeable about placing the right dog with the right owners. They tend to have done solid assessments on the dog’s in their care and make re-homing recommendations on a dog’s suitability based on a number of different criteria factors. Whatever you do, don’t discount the adoption route as the best way to acquire a new dog, you’d be making a glaring omission if you did. Rest assured, there are many dogs waiting for new homes in the rescue shelters across the country that would come highly recommended for first time owners.

    To prove that very point, just take a look at these dogs for adoption…

  • Afghanistan Could Be on the Verge of a Breakthrough to Wipe Out Rabies

    Afghanistan Could Be on the Verge of a Breakthrough to Wipe Out Rabies

    An animal charity has announced that their efforts to eradicate rabies in Afghanistan is on the verge of a massive breakthrough.

    Last year, K9 Magazine shared details of Mayhew’s plans to promote animal welfare and improve the lives of dogs living in the war-torn country and today Mayhew Afghanistan has announced that they have vaccinated an incredible 10,500 dogs through their mass canine rabies vaccination programme in the capital city of Kabul.

    This means that 7 in 10 dogs living in Kabul have now been vaccinated against rabies and according to the animal charity, this means that they have now reached the accepted threshold required to reach in order to break the chain of virus transmission and can start creating herd immunity in the area where the vaccination programme is happening.

    It means that the Afghanistan team, together with the Kabul Municipality dog catchers, are on track to reduce the risk of canine-mediated rabies in the city.

    Following Mayhew’s successful negotiations with Kabul Municipality to bring an end to the inhumane practice of culling the free-roaming dogs from January 2017 and with signed agreements with the relevant ministerial departments and city authorities in place, on 6th August 2017, Mayhew Afghanistan began implementing the first mass canine rabies vaccination programme in Kabul, which covers the main 16 residential districts in the city.

    This is the first step in a long-term and sustainable strategy to eradicate rabies from the city in three years and develop a citywide dog population management programme.

    The two teams of 12 dog catchers and vet vaccinators work from early morning around 5am to noon, catching and vaccinating dogs. The surveyor then goes out within 72 hours to the designated areas to count the number of vaccinated dogs, compare it with the total number of dogs in that area and ensure the level of at least 70% of the population has been vaccinated.

    Mayhew’s Afghanistan Country Director, Dr Abdul Jalil Mohammadzai DVM, said: “The team are delighted that the programme has now vaccinated 70% of the population of dogs in Kabul in just over 10 months.

    “A new dog population survey has recently been completed and this will provide data for the amount of dogs to be vaccinated as a minimum in year two of the mass canine rabies vaccination programme and be the basis of the dog population management plan.

    “We believe that informing and educating communities about the rabies virus and other infectious diseases and how they are spread is key to rabies prevention, safe interaction with community dogs, compassion towards animals and improved health. A win win situation for dogs and people alike.”

    Mayhew International receives no government funding and relies on the generous donations from supporters to continue helping, training and funding vaccination programmes and animal birth control projects for thousands of animals around the world.

    The task is huge and the charity still needs your help. Please consider a donation by visiting www.themayhew.org/donate, so they can continue their vital work in Kabul, stating your donation is for Afghanistan.

  • 82 Chihuahuas Rescued From ONE Home as Police Investigate Woman’s Death

    82 Chihuahuas Rescued From ONE Home as Police Investigate Woman’s Death

    Police investigating a woman’s death have revealed that they found 82 Chihuahuas living in dirty, cramped conditions inside the couple’s home.

    The police called in the RSPCA and the inspector who visited, Herchy Boal, admitted that she had seen a lot of things during her 18-year career but nothing could have prepared her for what she saw when she visited the home last April.

    The RSPCA’s rescue mission was filmed for Channel 5’s ‘The Dog Rescuers’ and will air on TV shortly.

    Inspector Boal was on duty in Birmingham, in the West Midlands, said, “The officers asked us for help with around 30 dogs but I was busy dealing with another emergency elsewhere,” she explained. “When they called me again a few hours later they were extremely concerned about the conditions they had found the dogs in, claiming they believed there were actually in excess of 40 small breeds.

    “When I arrived at the property I found 82 dogs inside. They literally started appearing from everywhere. We would move the washing machine and suddenly there’d be six faces looking at you. It was incredible where they were able to hide.

    “The house looked like an earthquake had hit it, everything was higgledy piggledy, it was really chaotic and dirty.

    “We called out a vet who said the house was too hazardous and the dogs couldn’t stay there, it was filthy and cramped. They were all hiding; barking and snapping at us.”

    All 82 dogs were removed and taken to the charity’s Newbrook Farm Animal Hospital in Birmingham, some had matted coats and fleas, others had burns. Staff worked through the night to check over all of the dogs and ensure they received necessary treatment.

    Inspector Boal said: “We didn’t finish work until 11am the next day!”

    Police launched an investigation after a woman who lived at the property died but, following their enquiries, they established that there were no suspicious circumstances and that she’d died from complications after an accident.

    “The woman and her husband, Stephen, had started out with two pet chihuahuas – Blue and Tinkerbell. Unfortunately, they didn’t get their dogs neutered and four years later, they had 82 dogs!” Inspector Boal added.

    “This was a classic hoarding situation but it was clear the couple had loved their dogs and things had simply got out of hand.

    “We worked with Stephen to renovate and clean the home while we cared for the dogs. We returned four of the dogs to him and rehomed the rest.

    “Two of the dogs that went back to Stephen had serious behavioural issues and were extremely aggressive and unhappy. We were seriously considering our options with them because they were completely unhandleable. But when we returned them to him they were like different dogs and were so much happier.”

    It is hoped that by airing the rescue and couple’s story that a reminder message will be sent out on the importance of neutering.

    Inspector Boal concluded, “This was a really sad case but it was also a really memorable one for me due to the sheer number of dogs involved.

    “I really hope we can use this story to make it clear why it’s so important to neuter your pets not only to avoid unwanted litters but also to avoid inbreeding which can result in serious health and behaviour problems in puppies

  • If You Own A Staffordshire Bull Terrier In The UK, This Organisation Wants Your Dog Wiped Out

    If You Own A Staffordshire Bull Terrier In The UK, This Organisation Wants Your Dog Wiped Out

    Breed specific legislation has been debated in Parliament this past week. Evidence was put forward for politicians to consider whether or not the law introduced hastily in 1991 should be kept or overturned.

    A panel of experts gave their considered opinions on the legislation, particularly the element that makes certain dogs illegal on looks alone, regardless of whether they’ve actually done anything dangerous or not.

    A huge number of dog experts have condemned breed specific legislation as a cruel, ineffective law that has seen many lives ruined and innocent dogs killed by the state. Dogs who, it has been openly admitted by the very people seeking to kill them, have never shown aggression or acting in a dangerous way at any point.

    Well it would appear one particular organisation not only thinks breed specific legislation should be kept, they actually want MORE dogs added to the banned list.

    https://i.imgur.com/Kzr2HfH.png

    In written submission to the committee Elisa Allen on behalf of PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals) is keen to add your Staffy terrier to the list of breeds to be caught up in the BSL killing machinery of the British state.

    She says:

    “The failure to include Staffordshire terriers and American bulldogs, both pit bull–type dogs, in the Act has resulted in continued severe incidents of mauling by dogs of these breeds in the UK. It also creates a loophole that can lead the owners of prohibited breeds to misidentify their dogs as Staffordshire terriers or American bulldogs – or mixes of these breeds – on purpose. ”

    She then goes on to cite an incident of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that was involved in a high profile attack on a person as well as a report of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that attacked and killed another dog.

    You will need to read the entire piece for yourself before you make your mind up:

    http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/dangerous-dogs-breed-specific-legislation/written/84343.html

    BSL has failed. It has failed to protect the public. It has failed to protect dogs. It has lead to deaths of people and deaths of innocent dogs and it costs the tax payers MILLIONS of pounds. The state is routinely seizing people’s dogs because of what they look like.

    So PETA’s position is that more dogs should be added to the list?

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers, in fact all well socialised, properly cared for dogs from the bullbreed family are some of the most loving, loyal and even tempered dogs on the planet. A call to have them all banned is, quite frankly, astonishing. Millions of people own these dogs. Millions of good people who love their dogs dearly.

    Banning dog breeds neither works in practice or theory. The reasons are well known and we’ve had more than a quarter of a century of breed specific legislation to learn whether or not this cruel law solves the problem of irresponsible dog ownership or not. The answer is, unequivocally NO. Adding more breeds to a ban list would create carnage. Carnage for police, the courts and total devastation to the lives of the people who own, love and care for these dogs.

    PETA clearly has the opinion that Pit Bulls are an inherently bad, dangerous dog breed. That much is obvious. And now they would like the Government to come for your Staffies too.

    The Kennel Club disagrees with BSL.
    The RSPCA disagrees with BSL.
    The Dogs Trust disagrees with BSL.
    The BVA disagress with BSL.

    Up to now it’s been very, very difficult to find any credible voices who support the legislation. And let me totally clear about this, PETA is NOT a credible voice. They are a voice, yes. A loud one. But for an organisation that kills as many healthy animals as they do, true animal welfare advocates all over the world have raised serious concerns about what PETA actually stands for.

    If you care about dogs. If you care about YOUR dog. Write to your MP today and ask them to listen to the experts on BSL. Online petitions, polls and the like are all well and good but you need to write to your MP and tell them that this is a subject you care about, that it matters to you what your MP does in terms of animal welfare legislation.

    In super simple terms, we only need to ask ourselves one question: is it right that dogs should be seized, locked up and potentially killed purely because of what they happen to look like? If you think the answer to that is no, then PETA is not your friend and your MP owes you an explanation as to where they stand on the issue. Write to them today. Do it now. Please.

  • Dog Meat Farmer Closes Farm Saying ‘It Is Much Better to Stop Farming Dogs, I Will Be Relieved for It to End’

    Dog Meat Farmer Closes Farm Saying ‘It Is Much Better to Stop Farming Dogs, I Will Be Relieved for It to End’

    A South Korean dog meat farmer has closed his dog farm weeks before the country’s Bok Nal festival to concentrate on his growing water parsley business, and as a result, 50 dogs have been rescued and will be flying to a temporary animal shelter in Canada to be rehomed.

    The farmer, who has bred dogs for eating for four years in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, now plans to expand his more profitable water parsley business, with the help of animal charity Humane Society International, who have been working in South Korea for three years permanently closing dog meat farms and helping farmers switch to alternative livelihoods as part of its strategy to demonstrate that the cruel trade can be phased out.


    Photo Credit: Jean Chung/For HSI

    With profits from dog farming dwindling, and his water parsley business booming, Mr Shin realised that the dog eating business is a dead-end industry. Once HSI rescues the dogs, the cages will be dismantled and Mr Shin will focus full time on his crop growing.

    Farmer Shin, who asked to have his identity hidden in HSI photos for fear his water parsley customers would find his dog farming offensive, says: “With my parsley growing so successful, and the life of a dog farmer really too hard, I just don’t need this in my life any more. It is much better to stop farming dogs, I will be relieved for it to end.”

    Photo Credit: Jean Chung/For HSI

    Nara Kim, HSI’s South Korea dog meat campaigner, says: “This farm is typical of many smaller dog meat farms we see across South Korea – dilapidated cages, squalid conditions, dogs in appalling conditions, some barely clinging to life when our rescue team arrives.

    “It’s vital that we show Koreans the grim reality of these places because most people have no idea and are really horrified. Although the practice of eating dog is on the decline, and we anticipate it will ultimately die out, during the Bok days of summer we still see an increase in people eating dog meat soup.

    “We hope to change that by exposing the disgusting and cruel conditions, and we hope also to influence the government as a growing number of South Koreans are calling on our politicians to shut down this brutal trade.”

    Photo Credit: Jean Chung/For HSI

    Kitty Block, President of Humane Society International, says: “South Korea’s President Moon is a dog lover who recently opened up his heart and home to a rescue pup. So he will know that these beautiful dogs languishing on dog meat farms are just as loving and smart as any pet dog.

    “President Moon also recently proposed amending South Korea’s Constitution to include respect for animal welfare, so we believe that now is the perfect time for the country to look at HSI’s program as a strategic, workable solution to ending this most heartless of trades.”

  • Kali Was Rescued From a Dog Fighting Ring, Just Take a Look At Her Now

    Kali Was Rescued From a Dog Fighting Ring, Just Take a Look At Her Now

    Poor Kali was covered in bloody wounds, bite marks and sores when she arrived in RSPCA care having been rescued from a dog fighting ring. Some of her physical scars can still be seen today, but her life couldn’t be more different.

    Three-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross Kali was found cowering in a garden, in Hertfordshire, in March last year (2017). Vets who assessed her said her injuries were consistent with dog fighting.

    The RSPCA’s special operations unit launched an investigation and Kali was taken in by the charity for treatment and TLC. She spent more than a year at RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre, in Cambridgeshire, while her former owner was prosecuted for dog fighting and animal welfare offences and then it was time for her to find a home.

    Georgina Arnold and boyfriend Owen Gray, from Yaxley in Cambridgeshire, had read about Kali’s story in the local newspaper before they started their search for a four-legged friend.

    Georgina said: “I saw her story on the Cambs Times Facebook page and tagged my partner in it.

    “A few months later, after we’d given it a lot of thought, we started looking for a dog. We went to the RSPCA centre to meet some dogs that we’d found online. We’d not originally gone to see Kali but when we met her we realised she was the dog we’d read about online.

    https://i.imgur.com/9DF7gWH.png

    “I was shocked she was still there, I don’t know why no one else had chosen her. But we took to her instantly. We’re really glad we found her!”

    The couple collected Kali on Saturday (2 June) and staff were sad to see her go.

    “It was quite emotional when we picked her up, all of the staff were so sad to see her go, but happy too,” Georgina said. “Everyone at the RSPCA was so helpful and so lovely. We wanted to rescue and the process has been so easy.”

    Now, Kali is settling in well with the couple at home. She loves going on long walks and enjoys destroying her toys!

    “We love her so much, we couldn’t be without her now,” Georgina said.

    “I couldn’t believe it when I found out the life she’d had before. The whole experience for her must have been so frightening.

    “She has scars and is missing teeth so she has been through a lot. But she is so kind, she is like a teddy bear, there’s not a bad bone in her body.

    “I’m just glad that she’s safe now and she’ll never have to know fear or cruelty again. She’s going to be our only pet so she’ll get all the attention and love that she deserves.”

  • Introduced To The World With Cruelty: Week Old Puppies, Eyes Not Even Opened, Abandoned in a Box

    Introduced To The World With Cruelty: Week Old Puppies, Eyes Not Even Opened, Abandoned in a Box

    The RSPCA is appealing for information to find those responsible for abandoning five tiny puppies in a box in a field in Tyne & Wear.

    The animal welfare charity has launched an investigation after the German shepherd crosses – thought to be only around one to two-weeks-old – were found by a dog walker dumped in a box in a field near Northern Way, Southwick, in Sunderland, on Tuesday lunchtime (5 June).

    RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley, who was alerted to the discovery, said: “The puppies are tiny, possibly only a week old, and still have their eyes closed.

    “They’re far too young to be away from their mum and to abandon them in a field is completely unacceptable. They wouldn’t have survived for long on their own.”

    https://i.imgur.com/GlFxBpD.png

    The man who discovered the puppies took them home before taking them to the RSPCA Sunderland, Hartlepool & South Tyneside branch nearby.

    Staff at the centre have named the pups – three girls and two boys – Belle, Casey, Diefer, Kiefer and Mason. The branch manager took them home overnight in order to provide the round-the-clock care they need including feeds approximately every two hours.

    “Luckily the puppies are all healthy,” Inspector Nedley added, “but it could have easily been a tragic outcome if they hadn’t have been discovered by this passerby.

    “At this age, puppies are entirely reliant on their mother so they wouldn’t have lasted long on their own.

    “To abandon them like this is disgraceful and I’d be keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the puppies or have any information on where they’ve come from or who is responsible for abandoning them.

    “Anyone with information which could help our investigation should contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

    The puppies will now be cared for by staff at the branch until they are old enough to be rehomed.

    “Unfortunately, abandoned animals is something the RSPCA sees all too often and, sadly, a lot of the time we’re called to help young puppies or kittens who have been dumped,” Inspector Nedley explained.

    “This is why we urge all pet owners to get their dogs and cats neutered. Unfortunately, it’s the charities and rescue centres that have to pick up the pieces when owners find themselves with unwanted litters.”

  • Chris Packham Joins Campaign to Help Educate Next Generation of Animal Lovers

    Chris Packham Joins Campaign to Help Educate Next Generation of Animal Lovers

    Chris Packham has joined forces with a national pet charity to encourage teachers and youth leaders to sign up to free classroom talks to create a future of compassionate pet owners.

    The videos, which were recorded at the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Southampton with the charity’s new education ambassador, focus on teaching children in Key Stages 1 and 2 the Five Welfare Needs which includes aspects like suitable diet and environment, enrichment and companionship, as Chris explains below.

    Chris also recorded a video featuring a case study to stimulate debate about responsible dog ownership to secondary school classes.

    Chris said: “It is very important to me to be part of encouraging current and future pet owners to learn more about the needs of the animals that share our lives. I feel strongly that being able to engage children in the classroom can have a huge impact for the future and how they will safeguard and protect pets and other species. I was glad to be able to record these films for Blue Cross and hope our messages can help more pets through education.”

    In 2017, Blue Cross reached more than 95,500 young people through 2,553 talks and delivered talks and assemblies to a range of age groups in both primary and secondary schools.

    Kerry Taylor, Education Manager at the pet charity said: “Chris’s involvement in our education programme is invaluable to our charity as we know that these fantastic video resources will help us reach more school children, teachers and parents to help educate about how to keep pets healthy and happy.

    “Many pets wellbeing does sadly suffer through people simply not knowing the five welfare needs and ensure they meet these for their individual pet. For example, poor housing and the wrong diet for small animals like rabbits and hamsters can have devastating consequences and we often need to help these pets at our charity as a result.

    “With Chris using his passion and commitment for pets to join forces with Blue Cross we can reach as many children and teenagers as possible, we can improve the lives of both future pets and their owners, and stamp out cases of animal cruelty and neglect in the process.”

  • Patrick Ward Went On The Run After Selling Sick Puppies, Today He Was Jailed

    Patrick Ward Went On The Run After Selling Sick Puppies, Today He Was Jailed

    Patrick Ward was sentenced this week almost two years after he failed to attend court to face a number of animal welfare offences

    A man was jailed and disqualified from keeping animals this week after almost two years on the run.

    Patrick Ward (DoB: 12/07/77) of Windermere Road, Leigh, Wigan, was due to appear in court in 2016 but failed to attend.

    He – and two co-defendants – were found guilty in their absence in August 2016 of a string of animal welfare offences relating to the sale of puppies in the Greater Manchester area.

    https://i.imgur.com/Yv9iYaU.png

    This week (22 May), he was sentenced at Wigan Magistrates’ Court to 22 weeks in prison having been arrested by police.

    He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years and ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge.

    RSPCA Inspector Pippa Boyd, who led the investigation into the puppy sellers, said: “We launched an investigation into Mr Ward, his brother and his sister-in-law after receiving a number of complaints from members of the public who had purchased puppies that had soon fallen ill after arriving home.

    “We believe the trio were importing puppies and then selling them on from two addresses in Leigh.

    “When we joined police to execute two warrants at the properties in February 2016 we found a number of dogs and other evidence.

    “At one address – in Windermere Road – we found a number of phones labelled with different dog breeds. At the other – in Douglas Road – we found three dogs, one with an untreated broken pelvis, and the body of a dead Jack Russell terrier left in a kennel.”

    The charity launched the investigation after eight complaints from people who had bought puppies from the trio. All had fallen ill – suffering from a string of problems including parvovirus, worm infestations and neurological conditions – and four had died or had to be put to sleep.

    There are still outstanding warrants for the arrests of ​Julie Michelle Ward and Martin Ward.

  • Five Dogs Stolen Every Day as Thieves Target Designer Dogs

    Five Dogs Stolen Every Day as Thieves Target Designer Dogs

    Five dogs are stolen every day across the UK, as figures released today confirm that 1,909 dogs were reported as stolen to police forces last year, compared to the 1,788 stolen in 2016.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers were the breed most targeted by thieves, followed by cross-breeds, such as designer breeds Cockapoos and Puggles, and French Bulldogs, who were the 3rd most stolen dog breed, followed by Chihuahuas

    Huskies also become one of the most stolen dog breeds in the UK with speculation this could in part be due to the ‘Game of Thrones effect’ and subsequent rise in ownership of Huskies and other wolf-like breeds.

    At the other end of the scale, Lurchers have moved out of the list of the ten most commonly stolen breeds.

    Areas targeted by dog thieves

    The pet insurer’s research found that the Metropolitan Police Service recorded the highest number of stolen dogs of the UK’s police forces in 2017, with 225 reports received.

    This was followed by West Yorkshire Police, with 172 reports of stolen dogs, and Kent Police, with 160 reports. These three forces alone represent nearly a third of all dog thefts in 2017.

    The East Midlands had the lowest proportion, with one dog stolen for every 10,101 registered dogs.

    Prit Powar, Head of Pet Insurance at Direct Line said, “Having your dog stolen is one of the most distressing things a pet owner can face, particularly as animals are often considered to be members of the family. There is no excuse for the theft of an animal but some of the reasons behind dog theft include using the animal for dog fighting, breeding or selling on.

    “The rise in popularity of ‘designer’ dog breeds among celebrities and the ‘fashion’ for certain types of dogs means people are willing to pay thousands for an animal, which unfortunately makes them prime targets for thieves. Pedigree owners need to be especially vigilant.”

    There was, however, some positive news as there were more dogs reunited with their owners last year, compared to 2016, revealing that stolen dogs have a one in five chance of being returned to their owner.

  • “Disturbing & Horrific” Robert Gwynn Had Anal Sex With His Own Dogs But is Not Jailed

    “Disturbing & Horrific” Robert Gwynn Had Anal Sex With His Own Dogs But is Not Jailed

    A Caerphilly man who had anal sex with his two dogs has been handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals for a decade in a “landmark” RSPCA prosecution.

    Robert Gwynn (d.o.b 04/11/1957), formerly of Merchant Street, Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, pleaded guilty to two offences at Newport Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 23 May) – one under Section 69 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the other under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

    RSPCA inspector calls case “disturbing” and “horrific”, after swabs from the anuses of two dogs found the presence of human DNA.

    The man was spotted performing an act of anal penetration on a dog with his penis.

    RSPCA Cymru has said it can prove “exceptionally difficult” to gather evidence in such cases. Both dogs, named Taff and Ben, were removed from Gwynn’s care and swabs taken from each dog’s anus.

    https://i.imgur.com/3LRng2o.png

    Shockingly, the swabs were found to contain traces of human DNA and dog DNA was also found to be evident on Gwynn’s penis. A vet examined the trauma caused to the dogs, with bruising to the anus found in both cases.

    Izzi Hignell, RSPCA inspector, said: “This was a disgusting and horrific case to investigate, with this man admitting to have forcibly had anal intercourse with two Bedlington Terriers.

    “These poor dogs have been subject to such a disturbing act, which would undoubtedly have proven a truly horrendous ordeal for both animals involved.

    “Gaining evidence in cases of this nature can be exceptionally difficult. This man was seen penetrating one of the dogs in the anus.

    “DNA results were integral to this prosecution. Swabs taken from the dog’s anuses were both found to contain human DNA, while the man had dog DNA on his penis. This was a truly shocking and gruesome discovery proving the sexual offence this landmark case relates to.

    “This was a clear, deliberate case of sexual abuse. Fortunately, the dogs have recovered from this shameful treatment and remain in RSPCA care.

    “People across Wales will be horrified that any individual would think it acceptable to commit a sexual act of any nature on their dogs. I am sickened that activity of this nature has taken place in Caerphilly.”

    Taff and Ben are currently at RSPCA Newport Animal Centre and will be soon be made available for rehoming in a few weeks time.

    Gwynn was given a three month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was ordered to pay £500 costs, a £115 victim surcharge and was banned from keeping all animals for 10 years, while a deprivation order was made on the dogs involved.

    If anyone has any animal welfare concerns, they can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”

  • Prison Sentence For Vet Who Helped Puppy Farm Gang Make £2.5m

    Prison Sentence For Vet Who Helped Puppy Farm Gang Make £2.5m

    A gang of fraudsters – who it is estimated made at least £2.5m selling sick and dying puppies to unsuspecting members of the public – have been disqualified from keeping dogs for life as some of the gang members were also jailed this week.

    It comes following a three-year investigation by the RSPCA into puppy dealing in London and Berkshire. The animal welfare charity launched ‘Operation Adder’ following complaints from a number of people who had bought puppies which had fallen ill and, in some cases, tragically died.

    Simon O’Donnell (DoB: 23/08/87) and Margaret McDonagh (DoB: 25/09/90), previously of Bradenham Road, Hayes; Edward Stokes (DoB: 10/12/82), previously of Rosedale Avenue, Hayes, and later of Tenaplas Drive, Upper Basildon in Berkshire; Thomas Stokes (DoB: 16/05/92), previously of Coldharbour Lane, Hayes; Thomas O’Donnell (DoB: 27/01/89) and Mary McDonagh (DoB: 15/09/89), previously of Bedwell Gardens, Hayes, all appeared at Isleworth Crown Court today (Tuesday 22 May) to be sentenced for their part operating a network of puppy sellers across London.

    https://i.imgur.com/axrttu9.png

    A vet who conspired with the gang, falsifying vaccination cards to help them sell the pups, is also due to be sentenced having previously been found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to commit fraud.

    RSPCA officers estimated the network of dealers were selling puppies for an average of £500 each – making at least £2,548,500 by selling 5,097 puppies during a five-year period – although investigators suspect there were many more.

    https://i.imgur.com/W5s0OOr.png

    The gang were most active between 2014 and 2016 – before being raided by police and RSPCA investigators – and forensic examinations of mobile phones used to sell the puppies, show they were making around £800,000 a year during these busy years.

    RSPCA officers joined teams from the Metropolitan Police as they executed warrants at four addresses on 27 May 2016 in Bedwell Gardens, Bradenham Road, Coldharbour Lane, and Rosedale Avenue, all in Hayes, west London. A further warrant was executed by Thames Valley Police at a property in Tenaplas Drive, Upper Basildon, on 1 February 2017.

    Bedwell Puppy Farm from Dog News on Vimeo.

    During the first warrants, a total of 46 dogs and puppies were found being kept in plastic sheds, outbuildings and garages, or running loose in gardens and yards at the four Hayes addresses, all of which were seized and placed into RSPCA care. The dead bodies of four Yorkshire terrier puppies were found wrapped in black bin bags scattered around the garden at the property in Coldharbour Lane – thought to be from the same litter. Despite veterinary treatment, four puppies later died from parvovirus. Three of the bitches, who were pregnant when they were seized, went on to have a total of 16 puppies, although one was stillborn.

    Nine dogs were later seized from the Berkshire address and taken into RSPCA care.

    RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall, who led the investigation to uncover their plot, said: “Four of the gang members are siblings and, together with their partners, launched this network of puppy sellers and dealers in west London, with Edward and Mary Teresa Stokes later continuing to sell dogs from their new address in Reading, Berkshire, while Thomas Stokes went on to sell again from another property in Feltham.

    “This was an complex and sophisticated network of organised fraud and cruelty to dogs. This was a complicated and multi-faceted, high volume conspiracy whereby the gang has misrepresented commercial, puppy-farmed dogs imported from abroad as family-bred pets to con members of the public out of money.

    “Puppies were illegally imported from southern Ireland before being transported to the defendants’ homes where they were kept in plastic sheds, outbuildings and garages. They were advertised online and sold for between £350 and £650 each.

    “The gang were generally dealing with fashionable breeds and designer crossbreeds such as Yorkies, cavapoos and Labradoodles.”

    Officers took statements from 83 victims in total, all of whom had bought puppies from the gang at different addresses, having responded to adverts posted online – 25 puppies sadly died or had to be put to sleep due to severe health problems.

    “Buyers have had to cover expensive veterinary bills or, tragically, lost their pet as a result of poor breeding, inappropriate transport and inadequate care,” inspector Withnall added.

    “We also discovered that the sellers were using lots of different names and aliases as well as changing phone numbers.

    “Prospective buyers were led to believe that the puppy they wished to purchase had been born and raised in a loving family home, the mother dog being a family pet. They were provided with paperwork relating to pedigree parentage, health documentation and vaccination certificates, much of which was falsified and did not or could not be shown to relate to the puppy in question.

    “When visiting, buyers were usually met by a man, often there were children and a woman present, giving the impression of the ‘family home’ that the puppies were claimed to have been part of. They were also shown bitches claimed to be the mothers but we now know these were stooge dogs bought in to lull buyers into a false sense of security.”

    Six of the gang members admitted fraud and animal welfare offences and were sentenced today (22 May).

    Simon O’Donnell was sentenced to three years in prison and was disqualified from keeping dogs for life. He was also ordered to pay £170 victim surcharge.

    Thomas Stokes was also jailed for three years and disqualified from keeping dogs for life. He was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

    Thomas O’Donnell was handed a two-year jail term suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity. He was also disqualified from keeping dogs for life and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

    Margaret McDonagh was given an 18-month community order and rehabilitation activity. She was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and given an order which prohibits her from keeping dogs until an application to the court to lift it.

    Mary McDonagh was given a 12-month community order. She was also ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and given an order which prohibits her from keeping dogs until an application to the court to lift it.

    A vet – who conspired with the gang – was also sentenced today having been found guilty by a jury following a four-week trial earlier this year.

    Daniel Doherty (DoB: 28/07/68) of Wood Lane, Iver Heath, operated two My Vets surgeries in Uxbridge, west London, where he conspired with the gang to commit fraud. Evidence showed that 4,689 puppies were taken to MyVet 24/7 by the gang between 23 March 2011 and 10 May 2017 for their first vaccinations, with the vet pocketing at least £75,000.

    He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £140 victim surcharge.

    Another member of the gang was sentenced at a previous hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on 7 September 2017 having pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to meet the needs of dogs. She was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge, disqualified from keeping dogs for five years, and ordered to pay £250 in costs.

    And the final member of the gang admitted a similar offence and received a restraining order disqualifying her from keeping dogs for five years.

    Edward Stokes, who also appeared at court this week, will appear back at court on 14 June for sentencing after his case was adjourned.

    These investigations also sparked an additional investigation into a man who was selling dogs from a property in Edmonton. When police executed a warrant at the property in February 2017, four dogs were removed.

    In November last year, he was jailed for two years and eight months and disqualified from keeping dogs for life after admitting five offences of fraud by false representation and one offence of failing to meet the needs of dogs. A woman was cautioned and received a court order prohibiting her for keeping dogs for three years, for failing to meet the needs of dogs.

    All of the dogs that were seized as part of the investigations went into foster homes and were later signed over to the RSPCA to be rehomed.

  • Warning: Is Your Dog at Risk of Getting You Hacked?

    Warning: Is Your Dog at Risk of Getting You Hacked?

    Pet tracking apps could be leaving owners vulnerable to hacking, according to an internet security firm.

    New findings released by Kaspersky Lab researchers have revealed that seven popular pet tracking apps have security issues which could allow unauthorised access to your network and the sensitive information stored on it – and more worryingly, these vulnerabilities could lead to more pet thefts if they aren’t fixed.

    Trackers are typically used by pet owners to monitor the safety of their pet and track where they visit when unsupervised, with GPS coordinates sent back to the owner’s app as regularly as every minute.

    The possibility of someone else intercepting those coordinates to understand where your pet is at any given moment, or your regular movements such as daily walks, means there is the potential for criminals to gain enough information about your pet’s movements to kidnap it.

    In 2016, Direct Line reported that 1,774 dog thefts were reported to police in the UK but additional research by the pet insurer found that 1.5 million adults claimed to have had a dog stolen from their care over the past five years, and according to organisations set up to help people who have had pets stolen, the problem is very much on the rise with more pets than ever being targeted by criminals.

    The trade in cats and dogs is worth €1.3 billion annually in the EU and stolen ‘designer dogs’ can fetch up to £1000 when sold online.

    Prit Powar, Head of Pet Insurance at Direct Line said, “Having your dog stolen is one of the most distressing things a pet owner can face, particularly as animals are often considered to be members of the family. There is no excuse for the theft of an animal but some of the reasons behind dog theft include using the animal for dog fighting, breeding or selling on.

    “The rise in popularity of ‘designer’ dog breeds among celebrities and the ‘fashion’ for certain types of dogs means people are willing to pay thousands for an animal, which unfortunately makes them prime targets for thieves. Pedigree owners need to be especially vigilant.”


    London dog owner, Matt Rayner favours a home-based pet camera instead of a GPS tracker to keep his Pug, Buffy safe

    David Mole from Kaspersky Lab concluded saying, “There are numerous opportunities for criminals to send false coordinates to the server, or accurately pinpoint people’s pets to kidnap them, due to vulnerabilities in apps and trackers.

    “These trackers have not yet been used to kidnap dogs, but the information that is transmitted could be susceptible to being accessed by criminals who want to obtain valuable data such as passwords.”