Compulsory dog microchipping comes into effect today
From today it will be compulsory for owners to ensure their dog is microchipped. Continue reading Chipping Norton … and Sodbury, and Rover …
Tag: dogs
Pup Idol! Desperately seeking Bruiser and Rufus
Opera company launches search for performing pooches
The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company has launched a competition to find two dogs to star alongside its cast of the Legally Blonde the musical in March in Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre. Continue reading Pup Idol! Desperately seeking Bruiser and Rufus
Scottish SPCA invites dog lovers to meet super staffies
‘Staffies are actually friendly, affectionate and loyal’ – Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA
The Scottish SPCA is inviting dog lovers to visit its Balerno centre to meet its Staffordshire bull terriers in need of new homes.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity launches its annual Staffie Awareness Week today and is urging potential new owners to meet the “fantastic breed”.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Last year our Balerno centre rehomed 21 staffies and have more looking for homes. However, we know many people still overlook them because they think they may be aggressive.
“Staffie Awareness Week is our opportunity to highlight that staffies are actually friendly, affectionate and loyal.
“Many people who visit our centres looking to rehome a dog tell us they have already discounted the breed. But when they meet a staffie their opinions often change once they have been showered with kisses and affection.
“Lots of our staffies have found new homes after people have got to know them and that’s why we are inviting anyone thinking of taking on a dog to visit our centres.
“We are sure if they spent just a small amount of time with a staffie, they’d see what a fantastic breed they are.
“Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been mistreated and need particular homes but we also have many who would suit a family home with children and pets.
“We are challenging the negative labels staffies have been given because it’s truly heart-breaking to see how many of them are living in our kennels instead of the loving homes they deserve.”
Those interested in giving a staffie a loving home can visit the charity’s Balerno centre which is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm.
Trevor (above) has been in our care for nearly a year now and we can’t understand why he is overlooked as he is such a great, loving dog.
Trevor is very much a people dog who enjoys spending time with his human friends. He is looking for someone who can continue his training and socialisation and will require a home with an enclosed garden. He is a joy to walk on the lead and will give you heaps of affection!
Trevor would like to live in a home without any canine companions as he’s not keen on other dogs and can get very worked up when walking past them.
NOTE to Trevor:
Ditch the rugby ball – following yesterday’s heart-breaking defeat most Scots won’t want to see one of those things again for a long, long time!
Be Dog Smart!
Be Safe Around Dogs: free dog safety workshops
Hello,
My name is Rachel and I’m the Education and Community Officer for Dogs Trust in Edinburgh. My role is to provide FREE workshops that teach children, young people and families about responsibility and safety around dogs.
I am currently offering community groups fun and interactive workshops from our ‘Be Dog Smart’ safety initiative and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more.
With nearly 9 million dogs in the UK, it is vital that all children and indeed adults too are educated and informed about interacting safely with them. Be Dog Smart workshops educates children on how to behave around dogs, how to meet a dog correctly and what to do if scared of dogs.
For more information please visit http://learnwithdogstrust.org.uk/free-learning-resources/Community-Education/be-dog-smart/index.html.
Workshops last approx. 45mins and suitable for age 5+ and for parents/guardians.
There is no cost and you may book as many as you like!
If you would like to arrange for me to visit your group, or simply require more information, please email me at rachel.bliss@dogstrust.org.uk or call 0792 065 8660.
Dogs: you say NO to compulsory muzzling
Government will explore compulsory microchipping
The vast majority of people who responded to a consultation on responsible dog ownership in Scotland have said they are NOT in favour of compulsory muzzling of all dogs in public places.
The consultation, Responsible Dog Ownership in Scotland, asked members of the public for their views on how to improve public safety in Scotland.
Over 97 per cent of those who responded were against the proposal for muzzling.
Other measures, including compulsory microchipping, were also consulted on and the Scottish Government has published the full responses today (see link below).
The majority of respondents were also in favour of a system of compulsory microchipping and the Scottish Government is now considering the practicalities of introducing this across the country.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “We already have long-standing laws in place to help protect members of the public from dangerous dogs, but this consultation has provided us with the opportunity to see if there is anything more that can be done to strengthen legislation in Scotland.
“Authorities already have the option of muzzling available for dogs in certain cases but this consultation allowed people to offer their views on whether a more general system of muzzling of all dogs is practical or justified.
“It was a radical proposal but it was important that communities across Scotland has the chance to give their views of every option available.
“It is clear from the responses that communities right across Scotland do not think this is a measure that will encourage responsible dog ownership and, as such, we will not be progressing with any policies on this.
“Answers to other aspects of the consultation were much more varied and, as such, it is important that the Scottish Government considers these fully with a view to publishing a full response in the near future.
“It is crucial that our approach fits the needs of our communities. Every incident is one too many – we need to ensure Scotland’s system continues to focus on preventing these tragedies.”
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government recognises microchipping as an effective method of identifying animals and can help re-unite dogs with owners where the dogs have been lost or stolen and the owners of dangerous or out of control dogs can already be required to microchip their dogs.
“The responses to questions clearly show an overwhelming public appetite for some sort of compulsory microchipping scheme. This is really positive however it is only right that we fully explore the practical aspects of this, including costs, before we make a definitive decision and my officials will continue to work on this with a view to announcing a decision in the near future.”
The link to the publication can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/10/4357
Super Staffies seek loving homes
The Scottish SPCA is running a campaign to encourage locals to rehome one of the many gentle and affectionate Staffordshire bull terriers in its care.
Staffie Awareness Week begins today (21 October) and Scotland’s animal welfare charity hopes to change people’s perception of the breed, which has been unfairly labelled as aggressive and intimidating towards people.
Last year the Scottish SPCA conducted research which revealed that a staggering 75% of Scots who said they would rehome a dog were unlikely to give a Staffordshire bull terrier or staffie crossbreed a home, with many believing the breed is dangerous and can’t be trusted.
There are always Staffordshire bull terriers and staffie crossbreeds waiting for loving homes at the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno and people are being encouraged to go along and meet these dogs.
Centre manager Diane Stewart said, “The results of our research last year were very disappointing, but not surprising. While we have made great strides in recent years by changing attitudes towards staffies, we still have a long way to go. Sadly, many people visiting our centre have already discounted the breed before they even walk through the door.
“It’s heartbreaking that staffies have been labelled as dangerous and aggressive. In fact, staffies tend to be gentle, affectionate and loyal and it’s a tragedy so many are living in kennels when they should be in loving homes. We never put a healthy animal to sleep and the strain on our resources is incredible as it seems every time we find a staffie a home one or two
more arrive in our care in need of our help.
“Irresponsible dog ownership is the key issue, with over-breeding leading to huge numbers of unwanted staffies and far too many of the breed being owned by people who do not make sure their dogs are under control and well behaved in public. Staffie Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the staffie as a fantastic pet.
“Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been abused or neglected and they need particular homes, but we also have many who could happily live in a family home with children and other pets. Anyone thinking of taking on a dog is more than welcome to visit our
centre and meet some of our super staffies who are patiently waiting to be offered a fresh start.”
Anyone interested in offering a staffie a good home can visit the Scottish SPCA Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Mansfield, Balerno, Edinburgh. The centre is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm.
Pic: SSPCA
Driver warning – don’t leave dogs in hot cars
Dogs die in hot cars
Can you imagine the horror of returning to your car to find your beloved pet dog boiled alive? The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars, warning they are risking their animals’ lives by doing so. Concerned members of the public have been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left in cars during the recent spell of warm weather.
The Scottish SPCA is keen to remind people that leaving a dog in a warm vehicle for even a short period of time can have serious consequences for both the dog and the owner. A 53 year old man from the Glasgow area has already been cautioned this year under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 with causing two dogs unnecessary suffering after leaving them in a hot vehicle. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We run this campaign every summer but some owners simply are not getting the message and we fear that they don’t fully appreciate the dangers they are putting their animals in. Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes. Leaving a window open and providing water is not enough. Being left inside a hot vehicle causes dogs to pant to try to cool down and this can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation which is extremely dangerous.
“Most people know what it’s like to get into a car after it’s been sitting in the sun. It’s unbearable and we immediately roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning. Imagine being trapped inside a hot vehicle wearing a fur coat for minutes, possibly hours, and you are some way to understanding how dogs in hot cars feel.”
The charity is urging owners to leave their animals at home in warm weather rather than taking them on a car journey, stressing that dogs have previously died in Scotland as a result of being left in hot cars.
CS Flynn added: “We aren’t scaremongering. Sadly, we have dealt with cases where dogs’ body temperatures have increased to such a point they have effectively been boiled alive from the inside. The suffering they endured would have been horrendous and what’s even worse is these tragedies were entirely avoidable. Our advice is to leave dogs at home on warm days if they are going to be left in the car for any period of time as it is simply not worth the risk.
“Owners should ensure that their dogs have fresh water available at all times and that there is adequate ventilation in the room. When dogs are kept outdoors, shelter should be provided so they can escape the heat of the sun. Causing an animal unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence and anyone found guilty of doing so can be fined and banned from owning animals. However, there would be no greater punishment than an owner returning to their car to find their dog has died a horrific death due to their own ignorance.”
Scottish SPCA posters highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars are available to be displayed in local communities. To request copies please phone the charity’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 and
select option 5.
Alternatively, email info@scottishspca.org, providing the address you wish your posters to be sent to and the number you wish to receive.
