Category: Magazine

What am I talking about?

On 15th September Jon Allen and Veronica Reid were sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court after previously admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a Collie cross dog named Shandy by hanging him. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a third person who failed to attend the hearing.

The reason these ‘people’ took this action?

Their 9-10 year old Collie cross had become increasingly aggressive. Their vet wanted to fully assess him so after a consultation asked them to return the following day. Instead of doing this, they hanged their dog at home.

Their actions total:

– 41 week sentence, suspended for 18 months (both)

– 300 hours of unpaid work (him)

– £200 of costs (both)

– £160 victim surcharge (both)

– 10 year disqualification from owning animals (him)

– Curfew from 9pm-7am for 6 months (her)

Is that really all we can do? If this was the maximum sentence the law could pass down, then what are we doing wrong when this is the most we can do – and if it isn’t the maximum then what on earth are we doing?

Why, when someone causes such suffering to an animal (knowingly causing this suffering, you could be under no disillusions as to what you were doing – or who you were helping to do this) – can we do no more?

There could have been any number of reasons for a dog acting differently – whatever they were, none of them deserved this treatment.

Our dogs are there for us when we need them. Yet we can’t protect them when they need us.

From a growing number of dogs being abandoned without a care in the world, to dogs such as Shandy, being abused and having his life taking from him in such a cruel way. As a species can we really call ourselves ‘man’s best friend’?

I think not. 

K9 Magazine’s latest edition, issue 76, which features ‘Desperate Scousewives’ TV star Layla Flaherty and her dog Buttons on the cover, is now available to download for your tablet devise.

Find out more about this issue and it’s contents, including how to win a pet friendly break in the UK for you and your pet, by visiting the cover below and clicking to download.

Enjoy 🙂

Please do let us know which features you most enjoy and what you’d like to see more of, we’d love to hear from you!

Every year the RSPCA rescues thousands of animals from terrible conditions – where many have either been the victims of neglect, starvation or even physical abuse. They are taken in to our centres up and down the country where our kind-hearted staff nurse them back to health in the hope of finding them a loving new home.

Lance is just one of the 11,000 dogs rehomed by the RSPCA last year, most of whom have suffered abuse, but he was one of the lucky ones and now his new owners, the Greenway family from York, have spoken about the joys of bringing a rescue dog into their lives. It was while flicking through the RSPCA’s annual prosecutions report that the Greenways recognised their own dog Lance staring back up at them.

The family from York had no idea what a terrible ordeal their new pet had been through, and were shocked to see just how awfully he had been treated by his former owners.

Photo by RSPCA

The Greenways adopted Lance from the York RSPCA Animal Home, and had only brief information about his background. But as the family looked through the RSPCA prosecution report they immediately spotted the dog that had now become very much part of their family.

From the report the family learned that Lance had previously been called Buster and was removed from his previous owners in 2012. When he was found, Lance weight just 13.35kg, less than half of the normal weight of 30kgs (pictured left). The vet commented that it was exceptionally rare to find an animal this emaciated still alive.

Photo by RSPCA

The Greenways had set out on a mission to find a cat-friendly lurcher after their previous RSPCA rescue dog died. By chance, one of the staff at the York animal home thought of Lance, who had been happy with her cats when she cared for him at home during his convalescence. He passed the cat test and went home with the family in September 2012.

Vanessa Greenway said: “Lance was scared of even the slightest noise at first. He and our cat Mitzi soon got used to each other but the first few months were hard with some problems – lots of accidents as he wasn’t house trained and chewing window sills to name but a few.

“However, once we saw a behaviourist, who gave us some fantastic ideas he now looks forward to us going out so he can have his shoe box of treats and stuffed bones to occupy him. We usually find him asleep on the sofa when we get back (pictured right). He loves his sleep too and is the first to bed and the last one up in the morning!”

Photos by Vanessa Greenway

Lance also had a metal plate in his leg as it had been broken at some point and as soon as he started having long runs the plate started to rub and came loose so it had to be removed earlier this year. He wasn’t allowed to run for a few weeks but is now back to running normally.

His previous owners were both disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Vanessa added: “Lance still has his moments but is so funny and playful and just loves a cuddle. He is much braver with strangers. We went to the York RSPCA summer fair a few weeks ago – and he even remembered some of the staff, and was so happy to see them.

“It has just taken time which I think is the key to taking on a rescue dog.”

RSPCA inspector Aislinn Balderston took the original call and found Lance in his poor state. She said: “I’m so pleased to see Lance happy in his new home – it’s what makes this job so rewarding.

“The story of every dog rescued by the RSPCA is, in its own way, just as heartrending and uplifting as Lance’s and we hope people will be inspired to give a rescue dog a forever home.”

Lance’s story is just one of the incredible and often heartbreaking stories featured in this year’s prosecutions report – it can be viewed at http://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/prosecution/report

To find your ideal rescue dog partner visit the RSPCA’s site or DogsBlog.com today and browse the profiles, stories and videos of thousands of dogs across the UK online.

According to research released this week from The Co-operative Insurance, almost 1 in 4 dogs (24%) and cats (23%) have their own social feed or page – which leads us to wonder, does your pet have their own account and where do you stand on ‘pet selfies’?

The research also discovered that average dog owner, takes 527 pictures and selfies of their dogs each year. Dogs lead the way on instagram, where 6% have their own instapics, and 2% even have their own blog.

The enthusiasm people have for their pets, is further evidenced by almost two thirds of pet owners (64%) admitting they spoil their animals with dog owners admitting it’s the companionship that drives them to pamper their pet.

Despite the affection that people clearly have for their pets, the results do also highlight that the majority of pet owners haven’t got pet insurance, with only 38% of cat owners and 55% of dog owners having insurance in place for their pets.

Andrew Nevitt, Pet Insurance Manager at The Co-operative Insurance comments:

“These findings show that dogs very narrowly come ahead of cats, on the social media front. We are a nation of pet lovers, and people clearly enjoy showing off their pets. The ease of being able to regularly share updates and photos of pets with friends, family, and wider circles on social media means this is a trend that is likely to continue.

“However given the important role that pets play in many families’ lives, it is important that people also give adequate consideration to their wellbeing and ensure they have insurance in place, to cover against any unexpected eventualities such as trips to the vet.”

K9 Magazine’s Jackson and Chloe’s selfie from 2005

Share your own #PetSelfies with us on Twitter @K9Magazine and @CoopInsurance – we’d love to hear from you!

Why do some dogs just insist they’re totally cool with lying in the most uncomfortable places?

Nobody likes to see a baby crying, particularly if it’s you who brought about the tears. Just take a look how Charlie makes amends for stealing this baby’s cuddly toy…

If you’ve ever wondered whether dogs can feel ‘human’ emotions such as guilt, jealousy etc – then have a read of this and let us know what you think!

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward stays in a parked car on a summer day to see how dangerous it is to leave a pet inside a car. The car reaches 117 degrees within 30 minutes with all four windows opened 1 to 2 inches