Total Dog Magazine

Category: Magazine

  • Dog Owners in These Regions Were Fined Almost £250,000 Last Year, Where Does Yours Rank?

    Dog Owners in These Regions Were Fined Almost £250,000 Last Year, Where Does Yours Rank?

    New research out today has revealed that councils across the UK have issued dog owners with more than 6,000 dog fouling fines raising over £360,000 from 2015 to July 2016, with £247,282 raised last year alone.

    The findings, which have been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance detail which regions were handed more fines for not cleaning up after their dogs. Where does yours feature on the list?

    No.1 offender: Scotland

    863 fines issued for dog fouling
    12,906 reports received for dog fouling
    = £28,860 raised

    No.2 offender: North West

    698 fines issued for dog fouling
    12,723 reports received for dog fouling
    = £45,628 raised

    No.3 offender: Yorkshire & the Humberside

    623 fines issued for dog fouling
    9,731 reports received for dog fouling
    = £35,560 raised

    No.4 offender: Wales

    615 fines issued for dog fouling
    7,403 reports received for dog fouling
    = £48,225 raised

    No.5 offender: East Midlands

    341 fines issued for dog fouling
    5,689 reports received for dog fouling
    = £8,470 raised

    No.6 offender: North East

    264 fines issued for dog fouling
    10,344 reports received for dog fouling
    = £14,748 raised

    No.7 offender: West Midlands

    217 fines issued for dog fouling
    5,016 reports received for dog fouling
    = £12,810 raised

    No.8 offender: South East

    200 fines issued for dog fouling
    9,509 reports received for dog fouling
    = £8,676 raised

    No.9 offender: Northern Ireland

    182 fines issued for dog fouling
    1,614 reports received for dog fouling
    = £14,030 raised

    No.10 offender: South West

    178 issued for dog fouling
    5,088 reports received for dog fouling
    = £11,405 raised
    No.11 offender: London

    160 issued for dog fouling
    8,187 reports received for dog fouling
    = £11,720 raised

    No.12 offender: East of England

    110 issued for dog fouling
    5,803 reports received for dog fouling
     = £7,150 raised

    Henry Leonard, AOP Clinical & Regulatory Officer, commented on the health implications of not picking up after your dog saying: “It’s important to recognise that not picking up after pets can indeed have wider consequences for public health. There is a risk to the sight, particularly in children, from an infection called toxocariasis which is caused by a parasite present in animal faeces, predominantly dogs. The risk comes from the eggs of the parasitic worm, Toxocara Canis, when they are ingested rather than necessarily getting some in the eye. This can either be from direct contact with faeces or more frequently from contaminated soil.

    “While cases are rare, toxocariasis can cause a variety of serious problems in the body. The eye is a common site for it to lodge and the effects can be devastating to the sight unless it’s treated promptly. A blood test can usually detect it but you may also need an eye examination to look for parasites.”

    Dog fouling orders are governed under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which allows local authorities to set out specific public space protection orders (PSPOs) for their area, detailing that owners must clear up after their dogs in certain public areas4. If a PSPO is ignored, dog owners can be given an on the spot fine (fixed penalty notice) usually between £50 & £80, or up to £1,000 if it goes to court.

  • UK Councils Raise £120,000 Issuing Fines to Dog Owners

    New research out today has revealed that councils across the UK have issued dog owners with more than 2,000 fines raising almost a quarter of a million pounds this year alone.

    The findings, which have been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance, also highlight in 2015, at least 4,451 fines were given for dog fouling offences totalling in excess of £247,282 with dog owners in Barnsley handed more fines by their local authority.

    Interestingly, the council that received the highest volume of reports for dog fouling did not hand out the highest number of fines – Durham County Council received 2,766 reports of dog fouling in 2015, but only handed out 67 fines.

    The pet insurer has compared statistics from the past few years and with the number of fines given out across the UK reducing by 21% since 2013, it seems this form of deterrent is working.

    Speaking about their findings Prit Powar, head of Pet Insurance at Direct Line said: “Dog excrement left on our streets and in parks poses a serious public health hazard. While it is good that owners have become more conscientious when clearing up after their dogs, there are far too many incidents when peoples’ health is being put at risk as animal faeces is left in public places.”

    It is important, not just for general cleanliness, but also for health reasons that dog faeces are removed as it can cause an infection called toxocariasis in humans in severe circumstances, an infection caused by roundworm parasites. Children are most at risk of picking up this disease as they are more likely to come into contact with infected soil. The disease can cause problems with eye sight for children and can be caught from ingesting the eggs rather than getting contaminated soil in the eye.

    Henry Leonard, AOP Clinical & Regulatory Officer, said: “It’s important to recognise that not picking up after pets can indeed have wider consequences for public health. There is a risk to the sight, particularly in children, from an infection called toxocariasis which is caused by a parasite present in animal faeces, predominantly dogs. The risk comes from the eggs of the parasitic worm, Toxocara Canis, when they are ingested rather than necessarily getting some in the eye. This can either be from direct contact with faeces or more frequently from contaminated soil.

    “While cases are rare, toxocariasis can cause a variety of serious problems in the body. The eye is a common site for it to lodge and the effects can be devastating to the sight unless it’s treated promptly. A blood test can usually detect it but you may also need an eye examination to look for parasites.”

  • Are These MPs Right in Wanting To Strip RSPCA of Prosecution Powers?

    Are These MPs Right in Wanting To Strip RSPCA of Prosecution Powers?

    The RSPCA should be stripped of its powers to routinely prosecute animal welfare cases, according to some MPs. The Commons environment committee said there was a “Conflict of interest” between the charity’s power to prosecute and its role in investigating cases, campaigning and fundraising.

    RSPCA chief executive Jeremy Cooper rejected the MPs’ criticism.

    “We are extremely proud of our near 200 years of experience investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty and our 92% success rate – which is currently a higher percentage than the CPS,” he said.

  • Pet Owners Beware: Product Defect Recall Alert for Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs and Armitage Flea Drops for Cats & Kittens

    Pet Owners Beware: Product Defect Recall Alert for Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs and Armitage Flea Drops for Cats & Kittens

    This week a product defect recall alert has been issued for Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs and Armitage Flea Drops for Cats & Kittens manufactured by Bio-Tech Solutions Ltd.

    The alert reads:

    We wish to make wholesalers, veterinary surgeons, retailers and pet owners aware that the VMD has been notified that Bio-Tech Solutions Ltd has issued a recall of:

    1. Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs 702 mg spot-on solution (Vm 20205/4003)
    2. Armitage Flea Drops for Cats and Kittens

    An unknown quantity of the Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs containing permethrin has been distributed in packaging labelled Armitage Flea Drops for Cats and Kittens.

    Exposure to even small quantities of concentrated permethrin can cause severe and fatal poisoning in cats.

    If you have one of the products, do not use it on your cat.

    What to do if you have these products at home

    Return the product to the place of purchase or contact the company: John Tharratt, Bio-Tech solutions Tel 08704 450154 or email JTharratt@btsl.uk.com.

  • All-Party Parliamentary Group Cautions ‘Legislation Is Only as Good as the Enforcement’ in Response to MPs Report

    The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) has issued a response to the report into animal welfare by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA).

    APGAW, whose members include Caroline Lucas from the Green Party and Jim Fitzpatrick from Labour, have released a statement about the report into animal welfare for domestic pets, which includes, dogs, cats and horses (explained in more detail here) saying they look forward to the Government’s reponse but echo concerns about enforcing recommendations made in the report, such as the RSPCA should have less involvement in prosecuting animal cruelty cases.

    The group’s members have recognised for some time that new legislation, bans and restrictions are not the simple answer and that the real issue lies with enforcement and education, saying:

    “APGAW believes the report contains a number of recommendations on issues that APGAW has discussed which would improve the present situation and looks forward to the Government’s response.

    “However, legislation is only as good as the enforcement. We agree with the Justice Minister’s comments in the House last week in a debate on sentencing when he referred to the expertise of the RSPCA in their role enforcing animal welfare legislation and the tremendous effort that entails. We recognise that ideally enforcement should be done by statutory agencies but would strongly state that unless ring-fenced funds are designated for enforcement and prosecution to the CPS and Local Government there is a need for the RSPCA to continue prosecuting and enforcing the Animal Welfare Act 2006.”

    APGAW Co-Chairman Henry Smith MP states:

    “Animal welfare remains an important issue for the public and MPs who all want to see better enforcement of animal laws. APGAW will continue to work with the RSPCA, who are responsible for over 80% of enforcement in this area, to ensure prosecutions are carried out in a transparent and effective manner until and unless the Government provides the funds to the CPS to prosecute.”

    APGAW Officer Lord Trees said “Ideally, the functions of investigation and prosecution should be done by different bodies but the RSPCA’s current work on enforcement and prosecution of the Animal Welfare Act fulfils a need and is hugely valued. It is important that any consideration of removing their powers to prosecute is only done once adequate funds are set aside and expertise is identified within the CPS to carry out animal welfare prosecutions”.

  • MP Claims Report Into Animal Welfare Says Banning of Third Party Puppy Sales Hard to Enforce & Key Messages Will Be Overlooked as a Result of RSPCA Headlines: Here’s What You Need to Know

    MP Claims Report Into Animal Welfare Says Banning of Third Party Puppy Sales Hard to Enforce & Key Messages Will Be Overlooked as a Result of RSPCA Headlines: Here’s What You Need to Know

    Today (16 November) the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) has released its report into Animal welfare in England with a focus on domestic pets, which includes dogs, cats and horses.

    A parliamentary enquiry was launched to examine the effectiveness and enforcement of animal welfare laws and the report includes these key recommendations and conclusions for the British government.

      • Pass regulations to protect the genetic viability and welfare of offspring as well as adult dogs
      • Update legislation governing the breeding of dogs with a licensing regime based on modern welfare standard
      • Require anyone breeding two litters or more per year to be licensed as a breeder
        Breeders have an important responsibility to provide for the social development and broader welfare requirements for puppies in their care. We recommend that the legislation governing the breeding of dogs should be updated with a licensing regime based on modern welfare standards
      • A national inspectorate should be established to liaise and support local authorities in enforcing the licensing regime, undertaking inspections and dealing with complaints
      • Ban third party sale of dogs. Dogs should only be available from licensed, regulated breeders or approved rehoming organisations
      • Make it compulsory that all internet pet advertisements should include the registration or licence number of the seller
      • Make the Pet Advertising Advisory Group’s minimum standards mandatory for all websites where pets are advertised and sold
      • Increase the age at which dogs are allowed to enter the United Kingdom under the Pet Travel Scheme to six months
      • Place a statutory duty on local authorities to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. The Government must ensure that appropriate resources are made available to local authorities to support them in this extension of their statutory duties
      • The RSPCA should continue its important work investigating animal welfare cases and working closely with the police and statutory authorities
        It should, however, withdraw from acting as a prosecutor of first resort where there are statutory bodies with a duty to carry out this role. We are not convinced by its arguments that it is in a better position than the CPS to prosecute animal welfare cases
      • Animal welfare cases in England are amongst the lowest in Europe. We recommend the maximum penalty is increased to five years 
      • Examines the potential for the establishment of an animal abuse register of those convicted of animal cruelty offences and who have been disqualified from keeping animals

    The committee feels these adaptations will improve the transparency, traceability and enforcement of regulations in the pet trade.

    However with the headline of the Commons EFRA’s own press release shared with the report focusing on the RSPCA, it’s no wonder MP Angela Smith, who sat on the committee for this inquiry, and others within the pet industry feels the key message will be derailed.

    Gudrun Ravetz, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has commented on the report welcoming the recommendations to realise the full effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 but goes on to say, “The RSPCA is currently responsible for over 90% of prosecution activity on animal welfare issues and it is unclear who else would have the resources to take on this vital role. EFRACom’s focus on the RSPCA’s prosecution powers is a disappointing distraction from a report that, otherwise, makes many positive recommendations towards improving UK pet welfare.”

    On the topic of the RSPCA, the press release which accompanied the report said:

    “The RSPCA should withdraw from acting as a prosecutor of first resort where there are statutory bodies with a duty to carry out this role, MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee have said.

    Followed by this quote on behalf of the chair of the Committee, Neil Parish MP:

    “The RSPCA does important working investigating animal welfare cases. And I would like to see its dedicated and professional staff continue that vital work. The Committee is not convinced, however, that the RSPCA is in a better position than the Crown Prosecution Service when it comes to prosecuting animal welfare cases. It should step back from making prosecutions itself, continuing instead to work closely with the police and prosecution service to protect the welfare of animals.”

    In a statement released by the office of Angela Smith MP, former Shadow Animal Welfare Minister and present member of the EFRA Select Committee, she said:

    “Today’s report by the EFRA select Committee into domestic animal welfare in England is I believe a missed opportunity to effectively promote improvements in animal welfare standards.

    “Unfortunately, the report’s very many sensible recommendations are in danger of being overlooked, thanks to the unwarranted attack on the RSPCA.

    “This is deeply disappointing and surprising, as during evidence sessions this view gained very little support from those who submitted evidence.”

    “Presently the RSPCA is responsible for over 90% of prosecution activity on animal welfare issues in England and the recommendations in the report are to some extent reckless, because there is no other body with the resources, the experience and the expertise necessary to take on this important role.”

    Speaking about the report RSPCA chief executive, Jeremy Cooper, said: “Overall this is a very sensible report with lots of progressive measures to improve animal welfare. We do not agree with the recommendation that the RSPCA should no longer prosecute. We are extremely proud of our near 200 years of experience investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty and our 92% success rate – which is currently a higher percentage than the CPS.”

    A further recommendation in the report, that a ban on 3rd party sales of puppies should be progressed, are also criticised by the MP because there is little said about how it could be enforced.

    Her thoughts are echoed by pet experts who worry it is nothing short of lip service.

    Puppy farming campaign group, Puppy Love Campaigns, whose work to investigate puppy farms has resulted in the closure and prosecution of more than 10 puppy farms shared these thoughts on Twitter:

    On this Angela point commented; “I think everyone on committee agreed and most of those giving evidence concurred that they would like to see an end to the 3rd party sale of puppies. However, much expert evidence said just banning it would not work.

    “Unfortunately, the report has very little to say about how enforcement of a ban would work, how this would be paid for, and who would enforce it, which is disappointing.

    “I am also disappointed the Committee didn’t accept much of the expert evidence that a strong and effective licensing system for sales is more likely to have the desired effect of stopping 3rd party sales.”

  • Graham Williams Gave Dog Drugs & Then Beat Her to Death With a Shovel

    Graham Williams Gave Dog Drugs & Then Beat Her to Death With a Shovel

    A man has been jailed after he fed his pet dog aspirin and paracetamol to try and kill her, before beating her to death with a shovel.

    Graham Williams (DOB 29/07/1956), of Falcon Road, Birkenhead, appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 10 November), to be sentenced for two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to the German shepherd, by subjecting her to blunt force trauma and for failing to provide veterinary treatment for an infected mammary gland tumour.

    https://i.imgur.com/QCUHnw4.jpg

    Williams pleaded guilty to the two offences at an earlier hearing on 5 October.

    This week, he was sentenced to four months in prison and was disqualified from keeping all animals for life. The judge told the court that he would have imposed a longer sentence if the law allowed him to and he commended the RSPCA on its work to investigate such cases.

    RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes, who investigated the case, said that the beating came to light after a member of the public heard Williams beating the dog and the dog squealing. He said: “They were so shocked that they dialed 999 immediately.

    “The dog, an 11-year-old German shepherd named Yarna, had been suffering with a melon-sized tumour and Williams decided to end things for her.

    “He fed her large amounts of aspirin and paracetamol and said this was an attempt to induce an overdose. Williams then took the dog outside and beat her multiple times over the head with a shovel, eventually leading to her death.

    “It was a brutal and barbaric end to her life at the hands of her owner whose responsibility it was to look after her and protect her from harm.

    “It is such a horrible way to die and I can’t even begin to imagine what Yarna’s last moments would have been like – the terror and pain she must have felt would have been unbearable.”

    A post mortem revealed Yarna had suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries to the head.

    Inspector Joynes added: “This was an incredibly distressing case to deal with but I’m pleased that Yarna’s suffering hasn’t gone unanswered.”

  • Has John Lewis Learned Its Lesson After The Controversy Last Time They Used a Dog In Their Christmas TV Ad?

    Has John Lewis Learned Its Lesson After The Controversy Last Time They Used a Dog In Their Christmas TV Ad?

    The John Lewis Christmas TV ad has, for many, signalled the official start of the Christmas countdown. It’s the moment that allows people to begin to register the first tingling sensation that Santa is coming in the not too distant future.

    This year the retailer has included a dog in its advert in a way that they will hope is less likely to provoke the complaints that dogged its previous incursion in to dogs at Christmas territory, complaints that eventually lead to the chain pulling the advert.

    John Lewis’ 2016 Christmas TV ad strikes a different note. But remember kids, we don’t buy dogs for Christmas!

    Watch Buster The Boxer in The John Lewis Christmas 2016 TV Advert

  • RIP Ghost: Police Dog Killed in Pursuit of Intruders

    RIP Ghost: Police Dog Killed in Pursuit of Intruders

    A police dog has been killed after being run over pursuing intruders in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside.

    The German Shepherd named Ghost was only three years old and was found shortly afterwards on the M6 nearby with traumatic injuries after being hit by a vehicle.

    Local police have confirmed no vehicles stopped at the scene where Ghost was found.


    Photo Credit: Twitter.com/MerseyPolice

    His handler, pictured above with Ghost is said to be “extremely upset” according to police colleagues. The pair had formed a bond and on recent shifts together had helped recover a stolen cash box.

    Speaking to the BBC, Inspector Tony Byrne said, “Ghost and his handler were a prolific team and he was a much valued member of our team and will be sorely missed.”

    This tragic news comes shortly after a police dog, Finn, was stabbed on duty. In his name a petition to honour police dogs was launched and with more than 100,000 signatures is due to be debated in parliament soon.

     

  • MP Calls for Changes in Attitude to Animal Abuse as Link Between Animal Cruelty and Domestic Abuse Found

    MP Calls for Changes in Attitude to Animal Abuse as Link Between Animal Cruelty and Domestic Abuse Found

    MP Anna Turley is calling for changes in attitude towards animal cruelty and will today (Tuesday 8 November) highlight research in Parliament uncovered by a team at Teesside University which has discovered links between animal abuse and domestic violence.

    The Redcar MP plans to highlight the research in a debate in favour of her Private Members Bill which seeks to toughen sentencing on animal cruelty perpetrators in order to quell the progression to violence against fellow humans.

    The study, which is the first of its kind in Europe, is titled ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ and was led by Malcolm Plant, founder of the Making the Link study project and an Associate Researcher at Teesside University, along with Professor Paul van Schaik, Professor of Psychology at Teesside University.

    Research into animal abuse has often centred on Western cultures where such behaviour is socially unacceptable. This study looks at Eastern European communities, particularly those where animal abuse is endemic and socially acceptable.

    A number of communities examined had a large population of stray and neglected animals regularly facing violent attacks. This has created a vicious cycle of “endorsed aggression” in which witnesses of this unchallenged abuse adopt it as the norm.

    Professor van Schaik said: “An important factor in animal abuse is empathy. We found that adolescents who possessed less empathy were more likely to abuse animals.”

    Malcolm Plant said: “We discovered young people in Eastern Europe who had experienced domestic violence enacted aggression towards animals and went on to commit violence against individuals and society.”

    “Management of stray street animals in some Eastern European communities had diminished their social status and encouraged and exacerbated aggression against them, with children witnessing this unaddressed violence accepting it as normative behaviour, creating a cycle of abuse.”

    The research found violence breeds violence, with individuals who have been exposed to domestic abuse having also committed cruelty against animals. In rural areas where violence against animals is seen as more socially acceptable, adolescent males were more likely to abuse animals and had higher exposure to domestic violence.

    These adolescent males either showed displaced aggression against the stray animals or progressed to commit violence against family members.

    The Teesside University study acknowledges that while links between domestic violence as the catalyst to animal abuse are more challenging to address, cultural change is needed in societies which are accepting of animal abuse.

  • This Dog Was Nearly Put to Sleep Because of Arthritis But Look What Happened

    This Dog Was Nearly Put to Sleep Because of Arthritis But Look What Happened

    A dog, whose crippling arthritis became so bad he was almost put to sleep to end his misery, is now able to walk again – thanks to PDSA vets.

    Bill the Springer Spaniel was so riddled with the condition that at his lowest point he could barely rise from his bed. And when he did, he was only able to drag his back legs across the floor.

    Owner Doreen Fawcett (64) from Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, said she was left devastated at how quickly her loving and energetic companion deteriorated before her eyes.

    She said: “Bill has suffered from arthritis for several years and was on medication for it but a few months ago he suddenly became really poorly.

    “He collapsed and couldn’t walk at all. He just went downhill so quickly it was absolutely awful. I was crying my eyes out because I knew he was suffering so much.”

    Doreen immediately took eleven-year-old Bill to PDSA’s Newcastle Pet Hospital where vets carried out X-rays to discover the extent of his condition.

    PDSA senior vet, Clare Hinchliffe, said: “We carried out tests which showed that Bill had spondylosis of the spine, a degenerative condition, as well as narrow space between his spinal discs.

    “He also had severe arthritis in his hips and knees which was causing him constant pain. Because Bill’s condition was so severe, we had to consider putting him to sleep. But we decided, with Doreen’s approval, to try a different treatment.”

    Bill was already receiving an anti-inflammatory drug, together with a joint supplement but PDSA vets decided to try adding in another medication, that combats pain in a different way, as a last resort.

    Clare added: “We don’t tend to use this combination of drugs as a standard long-term treatment for arthritis in dogs but in Bill’s case it was the only option.”

    Thankfully the new regime of drugs began to take effect and there was a significant improvement in Bill’s pain levels and mobility.

    https://i.imgur.com/mORByz0.jpg

    Doreen said: “PDSA have been wonderful and, thanks to the new treatment, Bill is so much better than he was.

    “He couldn’t get up at all before but now he can walk around and even climb up and down the stairs. Bill is such a happy dog, he loves everyone and he loves life.”

    PDSA is raising awareness of conditions such as arthritis, thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

    PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman says pet owners can also play a vital part in alleviating the discomfort caused by arthritis: “We see many cases of arthritis where the pet can be helped not only through veterinary care, but also through weight reduction and appropriate levels of exercise.

    “Recognising symptoms and taking early action can help alleviate pain and slow the progression of the condition.”

  • British Politician Admits He Deliberately Choked Family Dog to Death With its Own Collar

    British Politician Admits He Deliberately Choked Family Dog to Death With its Own Collar

    Michael Heseltine has made a shocking admission during an interview with Tatler Magazine, according to an extract published today.

    Fresh on the back of his admission that he’s killed as many as 400 Grey Squirrels on his property, Michael Heseltine, who is a former UK Home Secretary and deputy Prime Minister gave an interview in which he makes the shocking admission that he killed his mother’s pet dog by choking it to death with his own collar.

    http://i.imgur.com/ZHGbtlc.png
    German Shepherd Dog: File Photo

    ‘I went to stroke him (his mother’s German Shepherd Dog, Kim) and he started biting me,’ Heseltine tells the magazine.

    ‘If you have a dog that turns, you just cannot risk it. So I took Kim’s collar – a short of choker chain – and pulled it tight.

    ‘Suddenly he went limp. I was devoted to Kim, but he’d obviously had some sort of mental breakdown.’

    The RSPCA are said to be considering their response to Heseltine’s shocking admission.

    It is not against the law to euthanise your own dog in the UK. However, it is an offence to cause an animal unnecessary suffering and people have been prosecuted for not seeking the professional services of a vet when taking their own dog’s life in a way that was deemed to have caused suffering.

  • If You Like Rugby (Players) + You Like Dogs, You’ll Love This – Local Team Puts Spotlight on Animals in Need

    If You Like Rugby (Players) + You Like Dogs, You’ll Love This – Local Team Puts Spotlight on Animals in Need

    Local rugby players have visited an RSPCA centre in Kent to spend time with the animals there who are looking for new homes.

    Cliffe Crusaders RFC visited Leybourne Animal Centre to meet its residents and also to help raise awareness of the dozens of animals currently waiting for homes.

    One of those who was pleased to spend the day – on Sunday 16 October – lapping up the attention was American bulldog, Bella who is fast approaching a year at the RSPCA centre.

    She’s been patiently waiting for a new home for 353 days (as of 28 October) but has been overlooked by potential adopters time and time again.

    RSPCA Leybourne deputy manager, Angelina Allingham, said: “Bella is such a sociable girl so she loved having the rugby team to visit.

    “She really enjoyed getting lots of cuddles and tummy rubs from the players.

    “You could say the guys fell for her hook, line and winger!”

    The four-year-old loves playing with her toys and has lots of energy so needs an active home with owners who are experienced dog owners.

    She could live with older children and, for the time being, would like to be the only pet in the house but we hope that in the future, with continued socialisation, she will be happy making more doggy friends.

    Angelina added: “We just don’t understand why someone hasn’t snapped up Bella as she’s such a wonderful dog.

    “She has made a big impression on staff and volunteers at Leybourne with her playful personality and we really hope she’ll find the loving home she deserves.”

    Bella ended up in RSPCA care as her owner could no longer provide her with the care she needed and she had terribly infected ears when she arrived. But she’s now in good health and ready for a new start.

    For more information on how to offer Bella – or any of the other animals at Leybourne – a home, please call 0300 123 0751.

  • Thousands of British Parks Have Started Banning Dogs – Is Yours on the List?

    Thousands of British Parks Have Started Banning Dogs – Is Yours on the List?

    For us dog owners our local park is often the first port of call when we need (and note, I do say need) to take our dog for their daily exercise. Local green spaces have since time immemorial been the place where dog owners go to give their dog a taste of fresh air and a chance to give their legs a stretch. But there’s a problem. It turns out many councils in the UK have been using a piece of legislation dubbed ‘the busybodies charter’ to ban dogs from parks. Now, there’s a few things I think we can all spot that are wrong with this but let’s just focus on the big ones shall we?

    1. We dog owners pay our taxes too. Does our money not count when it comes to who can and can’t use local green spaces?

    2. Dogs need exercise. That’s, erm, actually part of the law of the land (see Animal Welfare Act 2004)

    3. If dogs are being denied access to places to exercise we’re going to have to face the fact that we can probably expect to see more incidents of dog attacks than ever before. There is a well established link between under exercised dogs and aggressive behaviour.

    The Telegraph reports:

    Dog walking has been banned or severely restricted in more than 3,300 parks and open spaces in just two years since the introduction of new asbo-style control orders nicknamed the “busybodies’ charter”, it can be disclosed.

    The Kennel Club accused local councils of using controversial new powers to wage an unnecessary and unjustified “war on dogs and their owners”.

    Animal welfare charities said the restrictions could amount to cruelty and could even be forcing owners to break the law by denying their dogs proper exercise.

    Meanwhile campaigners against over-regulation said it signalled a worrying trend towards “criminalising” everyday life.

    According to estimates by the Kennel Club, dogs have been completely banned from at least 2,205 public places including parks, playing fields and beaches in England and Wales using PSPOs.

    They have also been forbidden from running or playing off a lead in 1,100 others places.

    As a group, it increasingly feels like dog owners are being somewhat stigmatised as a result of the anti-social behaviour of bad owners. Here’s the thing, us good dog owners actually find the irresponsible owners as annoying as non dog owners do. Not all dog owners allow their dogs to hassle people, don’t clean up after them or permit their dog to behave in any other ways that are an inconvenience to other people.

    The problem as I see it is that for all of the bad behaviour that these councils complain of – dogs being dangerously out of control, owners not clearing up after their dogs etc – there are already laws in place designed to tackle these issues. So why are they not being enforced? I think we know the answer to that. Local council budgets are being cut, dog warden services are being squeezed and, ultimately, these councils think the simplest and easiest course of action to fix these problems is to take a broad brush and ban all dogs from public green spaces.

    How. Dare. They.

    These are PUBLIC spaces. Our spaces. We pay for them. We vote for the people who run these councils and it’s time for good dog owners to stand up for themselves.

    We must not allow our freedoms to be trampled on as a result of the actions of irresponsible owners. Protect your dog’s rights (under the Animal Welfare Act) and make sure to keep an eye on what your local council is up to. These people are supposed to serve the public and, the last time I checked, dog owners were tax paying members of public too.

    What’s your view?

  • Actresses Sarah Hyland & Beth Behrs Honoured for Commitment to Animal Welfare

    Actresses Sarah Hyland & Beth Behrs Honoured for Commitment to Animal Welfare

    Last night in Los Angeles, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) honored actresses Beth Behrs (“2 Broke Girls”) and Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”).


    Sarah Hyland and Behrs pictured with their awards / Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Behrs was presented with the 2016 ASPCA® Compassion Award for her extraordinary commitment of time and effort she has dedicated to directly impact the lives of vulnerable and victimized animals. Hyland received the ASPCA® Voice for Animals Award recognizing her work in increasing awareness and inspiring action on behalf of animals in crisis. Proceeds from the event supported the launch of the organization’s new Los Angeles Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic.


    Sarah Hyland pictured with Marnie the Dog / Photo Credit: Getty Images

    The event, hosted by Kathy Taggares featured music by DJ Saint Clair.


    Nina Dobrev and Sarah Hyland / Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Nina Dobrev and Jennifer Coolidge presented to a packed crowd including ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker, Rudy Dobrev, Dean Geyer, Michael Gladis, Brad Go, Greer Grammer, Lizzy Greene, Chandler Kinney, Marnie the Dog, Kayla Maisonet, Matthew Moy, Jillian Murray, Michael Nardelli, Michael Patrick King, Hugh Sheridan, Sophie Simmons, Harely Quinn Smith, Keith Stanfield, Katie Stevens and more.