A couple of weeks ago we reported that the Rhodesian Ridgeback club of Great Britain was encouraging its members to ‘cull’ puppies born without a ridge.

Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies don’t need the ridge to be healthy, in fact some evidence suggests the ridgeless examples are actually genetically predisposed to be healthier dogs, it is purely a breed ’standard’ that demands Ridgebacks have the line of fur running in the opposite direction along the dog’s back.

At the time of reporting this sick, callous call to action from the breed club, we asked the Kennel Club what their position was.

We were told:

 “The Kennel Club has recently written to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain regarding the code of ethics and asked them to remove the clause requiring the culling of ridgeless puppies. We are currently considering their response.”

A few weeks on and the breed club in question is still publishing the following on its website:

7. Any mismarked puppies shall be described as such and sold as “not to be shown or bred from.” This shall be reflected in the price. Ridgeless puppies shall be culled at birth

So we asked the Kennel Club to update us on their position as the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain is a Kennel Club affiliated breed club and is blatantly and seeming unashamedly encouraging breeders to kill healthy puppies in the name of a ‘breed standard’.

The Kennel Club’s latest position, courtesy of Caroline Kisco (KC secretary)

“The Kennel Club is still dealing with the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain and is extremely concerned and very disappointed about its code of ethics”

Let us hope ‘dealing’ with this particular breed club means, quite simply, ordering they change this barbaric, stomach churning, ludicrously outdated ‘advice’ to kill puppies or be struck off as a Kennel Club affiliated breed club.

This type of instruction reflects horribly on the world of pedigree dogs as a whole and it absolutely has to stop. Now.

If you feel strongly about this issue, feel free to contact the breed club directly

Membership Secretary
Mr John Parrott
6 Coltsfoot, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8SR
Telephone : 01767 310123

We are in 2008. We should NOT be advising breeders to kill puppies because of the lack of a line of fur on their backs.

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Beechwood Veterinary Hospital is not only helping save the lives of sick pets, it could help save their owners too. The surgery is the first and only place in the country where dogs and people can give blood.

The Doncaster vets has teamed up with the National Blood Service (NBS) and Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk) to offer the community the chance to help with these worthy causes.

Mark Straw, veterinary surgeon and associate director said: “I’m a regular blood donor and know how important it is to give. I thought it would be a great if I could do it at work, luckily enough so did the other staff and the owners of our patients. I am proud that Beechwood is now a people and pets lifesaver.”

Mark added: “Once we were on the way to arranging our first NBS visit one of the dogs we were treating needed a transfusion so we made some calls and our first canine session takes place in May.

The NBS sessions take place on the organisation’s bloodmobile which has three beds, health screening booth and the all important tea and biscuit area. The bloodmobile travels to various companies and organisations around South Yorkshire.

Craig Taylor, spokesperson for the NBS, said: “We would thank to thank everyone who gave and remind anyone interested that if you give you will be helping ill patients. Our thanks also go out to everyone at hospital for making us so welcome.”

“This is a real first for the country and it is happening here in Doncaster. It just goes to show how generous all it’s residents are, I’m sure they will have as much support from their doggy donors as well.”

The first visit saw 28 people attending and 22 rolled up their sleeves and gave a pint, including 13 brand new donors. The next for people takes place on Tuesday, 8 April. Four legged donors get their chance on Sunday 18th May.

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A television advert for Volkswagen has caught the attention of the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals who have claimed a dog used in the commercial is “abused”.

Over 200 people are reported to have complained about the ad (below) on the basis that the dog in the car was not wearing a seatbelt and the dog depicted as being ‘less confident’ looks to be nervous.

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The 30 second advert for the Polo model shows a dog, a digitally enhanced Jack Russell Terrier, to appear as though singing in the front of a car and then cuts to a scene where a dog is shown as timid and withdrawn.

The RSPCA are quoted: “Our concern is how they got the dog to behave in that way. Its tail is between its legs, which are shivering, and its head is lowered. This is classic abused animal behaviour which appears to be real.

“We’re also concerned why you need to show an ‘abused’ dog to sell cars.”

But a spokesperson for VW cars hit back: “The dog was trained to behave in that way. It was not harmed.

“The owner was just out of shot and a vet was on hand at all times.”

But the RSPCA are still not convinced:

“We have asked how it was filmed and have been told the dog was acting. But we are very disappointed that Volkswagen feel it necessary to portray a dog suffering to sell cars, whether it was genuine or staged.”

Volkswagen have no plans to pull the ad, saying: “The dogs are highly trained. They can do almost anything. They can shake if they are happy or excited - they were not scared,” a spokeswoman said.

“There is a fantasy element to the advert. We would hope that just as when people see the dog singing, they know it’s not real, when they see it shaking, they know it is not really scared.”

The advert is certainly eye catching and memorable. But there is a worry. A deep concern. Something troubling us.

No, it’s not the ‘abused’ dog. It’s the RSPCA.

What on earth leads them to be able to conclude this dog is in any way, shape or form “abused”, when all they’ve seen is a 30 second piece of television trickery?

How worrying that the organisation who’s objective is to identify and act upon cases of genuinely “abused” animals can reach the conclusion that this highly trained animal actor was “abused”.

Having seen various highly trained animals who work on TV or movie sets, I have only ever witnessed superb levels of care and attention. I absolutely know for certain that the amount of people, rules and regulations covering the work of TV/movie animals is stringent and I also know for a fact that it is certainly possibly to train an animal to act out a particular emotion on command. In the case of this particular breed, the Jack Russell, I’ve encountered many who will stand and ’shiver’ when they are eating or at other times where they are perfectly unperturbed emotionally.

It is a genuine and real concern that the RSPCA saw fit to label this dog as “abused”. It surely raises questions about credibility in the eyes of other cases where a dog may genuinely have been abused. It smacks of bandwagon jumping and doesn’t reflect well on an organisation who do some fantastic, outstanding animal welfare work. It is also very difficult to marry up when factored against the adverts the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups run themselves, often showing horrendously upsetting scenes of abused dogs, dead animals or dogs simply looking very sad and upset.

So, come on RSPCA, let’s try and get our priorities right shall we. VW TV adverts showing trained animal actors are not “abusing” dogs. If this IS abuse, it really waters down the power of the description. There are plenty of travesties of animal justice going on all around us and we have an ongoing battle to combat them. Describing the shaky JRT as an abused dog does a disservice to the credibility of animal welfare campaigners everywhere.

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Is there such a thing as a homemade treat for birds? I’m thinking there is because it sounds quite easy to make. Or at least I think it would be. I’m all into organic food and would like to feed my bird health treats as well. I just don’t know what is considered “healthy” in the bird treat world. I’m guessing treats made by bird owners and experts have the best ingredients, but I’m just guessing here. There is an entire world of bird treats to pick from; I just don’t know where to start. We’ll actually I do. I want to start with healthy treats. Can anyone give me some guidance?

I inherited a bird from my grandmother and I don’t know what to feed it. I’ve never owned a bird in my life. I just recently learned it was a finch. But what do I feed a finch? I’m smart enough to know I can’t feed it human food (duh) but past that fact, I’m lost. Is there a specific type of bird food I need to get? I’ve been searching around for details and there are a number of sites that talk about bird seed, but which site is the best? Actually, I don’t care about the websites. I just need to know what seed to get this bird.

Need help training your Naughty new pup?

Find it hard to toilet train?

Fed up with your puppy biting and chewing at your clothes?

Had enough of the destruction caused when you leave the house?

Is your puppy constantly jumping up and not coming back when you call?

Don’t worry – help is at hand

We are looking for puppies

Aged 8 -12 weeks to take part

in a television programme on BBC THREE.

For more info:

Phone:  020 8008 5932

Email: will.fegen@bbc.co.uk

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South West trains (SWT) held the first stakeholders meeting on access issues at the Holiday Inn at Woking Surrey this week

Guests for the various associations dealing with disability and other interested parties were invited to hear how the network is rolling out improvements to not only to the rolling stock but also the upgrading and improvements of stations as part of the current £38 million investment.

Guests were also invited to suggest areas where improvement could be made as well as highlight areas which really fall below acceptable standards.

The rolling programme of improvements, introduction new rolling stock,  the upgrading of older carriages and stations upgrading allowing access for all of which it appears that targets are currently being  met and exceeded. For the visually impaired Brail on the new ticketing machines tactile surfaces, for the mobility impaired and wheelchair users… lifts ramps handrails and very much to the benefit of all an enhance and improved information systems making travel for those with a wide range of disabilities  hassle and trouble free

Speakers from the Department of transport DFT, Association of train operators (ATOC) and South West trains(SWT) discussed where we would be in the future and the targets time scales and aims.  An opportunity to question and discuss access issues with the speakers turned out to be actually very positive and constructive part of the day’s events. Though the conference was hosted by SWT, the introduction of further improvement right across the country was explained, the aim being that a traveler will experience the same level of standards and treatment through out a journey regardless of how many different train operators they use.

Allen said that he felt pleased that the disabilty model used of a wheelchair user with an assistance dog was fast becoming the norm and that the consideration of those travelling an assistance dog is being build in to all future adaption’s and improvement. It was so refreshing to see other assistance dog partnerships as well at the meeting, one from Guide dogs and another from support dogs.

Allen stated he felt despite all the technical enhancements, whistles buzzers and bells, it is still very much down to the helpful member of staff that is always there with a smile and with a genuine willingness to help. Valuing and investing in the staff is very much a critical factor to improving rail travel for all both now and in the future.

Clapham Junction said many years ago to be the one station, from a Victorian hey day that defies being dragged into the 2000s as fit for use by all.. is now having lifts, improved information systems  and access improved. Haslemere station is having a new footbridge with lifts installed, previously wheelchair users or mobility impaired who in currently have to use a wooden walk way across the tracks at the end of the platform. So the improvement programme can actually be seen rolling out.

“Four years ago I used to travel in the very bleak and cold guards van but now I am travelling in an air-conditioned carriage with an accessible toilet near to hand and space for faithful Endal to travel in comfort” said Allen. I have travelled the rail networks all over the Uk during my 20 years in the Royal Navy but now as a wheelchair user and change is happening ….as fast as one would like hummmm? .. But it has to be recognized that there is positive change afoot With a wicked sense of humor a disabled person stated at the meeting “as disabled people we are not asking for a different level of service, we just want to experience the same level of misery and frustration as our abled bodied fellow travelers…!”

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Written by Amanda @ www.endangereddogs.com 

BBC1 TV programme Casualty, broadcast at 9pm on Saturday 15th March was a sickening watch for many unfortunate enough to view it. This weeks fifty minute long episode entitled ‘Diamond Dogs’ (series 22) tried to depict thugs with a ‘fighting dog’, a dog which firstly attacks thugs mother who ends up in casualty, the dog escapes and then seriously attacks two police officers on the beat, the dog then amazingly appears back at the house where the first attack took place, thug is there back from hospital and takes a shot gun out of the boot of his car to kill dog.

If the researchers had done their homework they would have discovered that firstly ‘fighting dogs’ are only able to be abused in such an inhumane and horrific way because they are by nature very good with people – a characteristics which is needed in order for the barbarians to handle a dog during the gruesome dog fight. ‘Fighting dogs’ are not people aggressive and that’s a fact.

In the real world, if someone is seriously attacked by a dog on the loose the Police would have arrived en masse and shot the dog dead, end of story.

Dogs which are owned by thugs and used for illegal dog fights are victims – not out of control machines out to hurt people, it’s the dog that has been bred, abused and tortured by humans for their sick entertainment, so why does the BBC portray an abused dog in such an appalling manner to make it out as public enemy number one?

With hundreds of family pets held as ‘pit bull types’ (any dog which has a certain ‘look’) under the draconian Dangerous Dogs Act legislation, the BBC’s programme is not only inaccurate but seriously hurtful to those who have suffered due to legislation brought in and maintained with the help of misleading media portrayals of dangerous dogs, in real life families are torn apart when their pets are seized and held at secret kennel locations often in sub-standard conditions awaiting court hearings to determine their fate, but yet another piece of biased negative story has been heaped against the dog to further fuel the hatred of certain breeds.

The real problem is dangerous owners – yes people are the problem not dogs, but we like to sacrifice the bull breed on the media altar or in this case let a thug shot an abused dog with a shotgun, were viewers suppose to cheer at this point, relieved that the killing machine had been finished off?

Any breed or type of dog can become dangerous if owned by thugs, but once again the real Casualty is the dog and it’s about time the blame was laid where it belongs – not with the dog misrepresented by the BBC but with the owner.

If the BBC wanted to cover the issues of dog bite injuries, then they should have tried consulting with the people who work with and understand dogs, then they would have discovered the true reasons behind dog bite injuries; which would have further demonstrated how inaccurate their story line was from real life.

Please lodge a complaint to the BBC and make your feelings known in defence of our best friend- the dog.

Email BBC Complaints:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/make_complaint_step1.shtml

Or

Telephone: 08700 100 222

Or

Write to:

BBC Complaints,
PO Box 1922,
Glasgow G2 3WT

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Against the backdrop of BSAVA Congress (3-6 April), the biggest veterinary gathering outside the USA, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is launching a pilot of VETS.TV and invites all delegates to visit stand 916 to sample this new and innovative service.

VETS.TV is an internet television site run jointly by the BVA and Ten Alps Publishing which will be available via a microsite of www.bva.co.uk.  The pilot includes custom-made videos on MRSA, litigation and stress management, a series of interviews with key veterinary figures and a number of specially acquired programmes.

While the project is a pilot BVA President Nick Blayney is in no doubt that VETS.TV is here to stay.    “I am confident” he said “that VETS.TV represents the future of CPD.  It will become a significant and popular medium for the profession since it offers varied and interesting programming covering CPD sessions, information on broad general interest and practice related subjects.  It will be up-to-date, forward thinking and an information packed service designed specifically for the veterinary professional and indeed developed in response to feedback from our members.”

The VETS.TV crew will be filming around the BSAVA Congress exhibition while demonstrations of this brand new service will be given on the BVA stand.  As an added incentive, all members who provide the staff on the stand with their name and email address will automatically be entered into the prize draw to win a HP 530 Celeron M 440 laptop.

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Nine long months spent being held at a secret kennels has lead to hollow victory for cross breed Duke after a Judge found him not guilty of being a “pit bull type” and ordered he be returned to his owner.  Six year old Duke was seized along with his owners other dog, Duchess, in July last year under the flawed Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.  Duchess, who at the time had a litter of young puppies, was later released however Duke was not so lucky.

Dukes owner, John McGowan had consistently stated that his dog was not a pit bull type and was actually a lurcher cross mastiff that he had owned since Duke was a young pup.  As the burden of proof is reversed using this piece of legislation, it was a matter for the legal team for the defence to prove Duke’s appearance was not that of a “pit bull type”.

During the two-day court hearing, two breed identification experts appeared for the prosecution, both of whom stated Duke was a banned type. Neither of these experts took down all Dukes measurements instead leaving some blank. Both experts stated in court that Duke did not conform in all ways but claimed he still filled a “substantial number of characteristics” required by law.

Evidence put forward from the defence included their own breed identification report, which stated that although Duke did conform in some ways he was far short of a “pit bull type”.  However while being identified for the defence during his incarceration Duke was found to be in worryingly bad condition and an independent vet report was sought on the matter.  Duke was transferred to another kennel and a request to the RSPCA has been made, asking that they look into the matter.  After hearing evidence from both sides the court retired for two and a half hours before returning the verdict “Not Guilty”.  Less than 24 hours later a delighted Duke was reunited with his owner.

A delighted John said

“It’s been a harrowing 9 months for all of us and I am over the moon that Duke is back home. It’s worrying that so many innocent dogs are being caught up in this legislation. If it really helped look after people then I would be all for it but it doesn’t. While my dog has been held other dogs owned by irresponsible owners have been involved in incidents. The thousands spent on charging me could have been better spent. We need the DDA scraped and instead focus on the bad owners.”

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