Dogs Trust Statement: Channel 5 puppy farming report

The following statement is in response to the first part of the ongoing Channel 5 report into puppy farming.

Dogs Trust was really disturbed by the special report about puppy farming on Channel Five last night, but sadly not shocked. We believe a more accurate term for this type of ‘business’ is battery farmed dogs – something that is completely unacceptable in 2009.

The charity is actively campaigning in a number of ways to help to prevent dogs being bred for profit with no regard for their welfare:

• Dogs Trust is focused on making members of the public aware of where they should and shouldn’t buy a puppy from. Through our ‘Stop Puppy Harming’ literature we explain the issues of buying a dog from a pet store or a classified advert. Unfortunately some dog lovers still feel they are ‘rescuing a puppy’ by buying it from a puppy farm or a squalid pet store – we are working hard on explaining that they are only fuelling demand for further puppy farmed dogs
• We apply pressure on licensing councils to explain their inspection and licensing processes and advise them appropriately
• We are lobbying MPs and AMs to change the existing pet vending legislation which allows puppies to be sold in pet stores
• We are in regular dialogue with MPs and the Animal Welfare minster about the compulsory microchipping of all dogs which would allow puppies bred on puppy farms to be traced to their source. As many of these puppies suffer from infectious disease or inherited defects, the tracing of such puppies is essential to enable Trading Standard officers to act under the Sale of Goods Act
• We work with other welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and support prosecutions of any puppy farm found to be acting illegally
• Dogs Trust is a member of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group which is promoting the responsible sale of pets through classified advertising both online and in print

Dogs Trust Statement: RSPCA pulls out of Crufts and Discover Dogs

The RSPCA has decided not to have its regular stall at Crufts or Discover Dogs because of the issues raised by the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. Here's Dogs Trust's official comment on proceedings:

Dogs Trust believes that the welfare of all dogs should be highlighted at Crufts and we have a long and successful history of celebrating and highlighting rescue dogs at the show. The recent BBC documentary raised some important issues about the breeding of pedigree dogs and Dogs Trust has passed on our recommendations to both Defra and The Kennel Club and we are liaising with them about future plans. We hope that the BBC programme has provided the impetus and muscle to bring about the necessary changes but we will be listening to our supporters and monitoring the situation very closely over the next six months.

Please feel free to add your comments below; they are all read by the relevant departments within Dogs Trust and the views of supporters do help to inform our future strategy.

Dogs Trust Statement: Response to RSPCA Conference / Increased dog fighting reports

Today the RSPCA has highlighted a rise in the number of calls it receives about dog fighting and is holding a summit to discuss dogs in the community.

Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, is totally opposed to any form of dog fighting and welcomes the increased penalties under the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act. Representatives from Dogs Trust will be attending the summit.

However, dogs will not generally attack or fight unless provoked to do so or trained for fighting. The manner in which a dog is reared and trained is the greatest factor that influences the likelihood of aggression and so owners have a responsibility to train and supervise their dogs properly.

All dog owners should be encouraged to be responsible owners, regardless of the breed of dog. This includes keeping to the conditions under the Dangerous Dogs Act exemptions: microchipping your dog, keeping your dog under control (including use of lead and/or muzzle where necessary) and of course training, and keeping dogs in a way that discourages any inappropriate aggression. Dogs Trust urges the public not to punish individual breeds for the actions of irresponsible owners.

Some commentators in the media have called for the reintroduction of the dog licence. Dogs Trust does not believe this is a workable solution. A dog licence would penalise vulnerable dog owners but would not deter irresponsible owners. Dogs Trust believes tougher pet vending laws and increased education campaigns about responsible dog ownership are required.

How do you care for the world's 'oldest' dog?

When David Richardson visited his local RSPCA rescue 26 years ago to choose a dog, he was recommended Bella, a lovely Lab cross who was already, according to the kennel, "at least three years old".

Twenty six years later David is still caring for Bella who, while she only has two teeth left, likes to suck on sweets. Unfortunately, as records are not available, it's impossible to prove that Bella is actually the world's oldest dog, but she certainly ranks high on the list with the record currently held by Bluey the Australian sheepdog, who lived to 29.

At this point, Bella's older than I am in human years, so it's no shock to discover that in canine terms she's around 200! This graceful old lady is seeing out her life, which has already doubled the average life expectancy of the most long-living breeds, in a safe and comfortable home.

So how do you care for an older dog? People are sometimes put off adopting the older dogs in our Rehoming Centres because of fears of endless medical problems and imminent death. However, many of these dogs come to us because the owner has had a change of circumstances (moving into sheltered accommodation, for example) and the dogs themselves are quite healthy and could continue to live a happy life for some time.

Caring for an older dog requires patience and observation. Small health complaints need to be dealt with promptly so they do not escalate; some of the more drastic treatments are too much for an older dog and with early preventative care the recommendation for euthanasia can be avoided. It is worth checking that there is no age cut-off in your insurance policy if you have had a dog from a puppy and he is now growing older.

It is important to note that dogs still require exercise to stay active and supple into their older years. For as long as they can manage it, daily walks should be continued, making them shorter, less intense and yet more frequent as necessary.

Older dogs still need plenty of mental stimulation, so gentle games and toys that require some sustained interest and activity (such as a food-stuffed Kong) could be ways to keep an elderly dog living much longer than you might expect.

Bella has been very lucky to receive two lifetimes of loving care from her devoted owner; can you offer an older dog a peaceful home for their remaining years?

[via BBC News]