Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…two strays found themselves at the centre of a controversy in Ireland when they formed the central part of an art installation that was designed to question the values of a throwaway society. The ‘living sculpture’, which apparently had the support of the Irish Arts Council, consisted of two caged canines. Not surprisingly animal lovers soon started to protest, with angry letters and emails flooding into the art centre that was ‘exhibiting’ the installation. The good news for the dogs, which had come from the local pound, was that they soon found new homes, leaving the artwork without its core theme. The director of the art centre defended the decision to show the piece by saying that it raised awareness of the plight of abandoned pets. The dogs were apparently under veterinary supervision throughout the ordeal and allowed out for regular walks. The animal rights groups that threatened to show up in massed ranks of support failed to materialise.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a Devon couple were alerted to a house fire by their newly adopted Staffordshire Bull Terrier who raised the alarm. Tank was spending his first night in the house, sharing the kitchen with two other dogs, when his crying woke up the owners. They rushed downstairs, to be confronted by a flames and smoke. Tank was the first to be plucked to safety, unfortunately the two other dogs died from smoke inhalation. The fire brigade reported that the closed door from the kitchen prevented the fire spreading to other parts of the house.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a Belfast hotel, more usually associated as a target during the ‘troubles’, was at the heart of the action again – this time the activities were rather less explosive. A crack team of dog lovers from the All Ireland Shar-Pei Association abseiled down the front of Belfast’s Europa Hotel to raise money for the city’s Royal Victoria Hospital. Rather than opting for practical combat gear, one member of the team chose to wear a fetching pink tutu. One abseiler decided to get into the spirit of the occasion and had his legs waxed. The series of stunts raised £5,600.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a 19 year old who was left in charge of his father’s Greyhound kennels was sentenced to 90 days in a young offenders institute having been found guilty of nine charges of causing unnecessary suffering. The case, heard in Colchester Magistrates’ Court, included a 15-minute video of the kennels made by the RSPCA which was so upsetting the district judge could not watch it all. More than 30 dogs were left with no food, water or light. Many were in a very poor condition, suffering from a variety of problems caused by neglect.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…when does a hobby become a business? When the hobby is dog breeding, according to Leeds City Council. Sue Bray, who breeds just one litter of German Shepherd Dogs a year to pay for food and vet bills, seems to have fallen fowl of council policy. Since moving into her council home some 24 years ago, Sue has been a model tenant, even receiving a council discount card as a reward. However, since the arrival of a new neighbour, complaints have been coming into the council regarding her hobby. The Council argues that because Sue uses the internet to advertise her puppies, she is running a business from her home.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a kennel worker employed by the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home has admitted to neglecting her own dogs at hearing before Sherrif Celia Sanderson. Police were alerted to the problems at the home of Lisa Caldwell following calls from neighbours complaining about incessant howling noises from the flat. Having gained forced entry, the officers found two German Shepherds in extremely poor condition. One was caged, the other left to roam the flat unattended. Sentencing takes place next month, with the Sheriff warning Caldwell that a ban on keeping animals was likely.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…The Scottish Parliament will be revisiting the Dangerous Dog Act following the launch of a bill backed by Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame. The aim of the proposed legislation is to change the emphasis from the dog to the responsibilities of the owner. Parts of the bill will include the provision of anti-social behaviour orders. The current legislation, which was hastily put in place by the then Conservative Home Secretary in 1991, responded to the concerns raised about particular breeds. The updated law will recognise that a dog’s behaviour is in large part a response to the home environment. At present, authorities can only take action when the dog is in a public place, not when the pet is out of control in the home. The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has thrown its considerable weight behind the bill, driven in part by the charity being inundated by dogs like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which are dumped by owners who mistakenly believe the breed is on the banned list.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…Saturday marks the start of Rabbit Action Week in East Yorkshire. The local RSPCA will be holding a series of events around the county giving free health checks, as well as microchipping and neutering vouchers. The special week is the charity’s response to the alarming number of neglected and forgotten rabbits in the area. In 2008 it received 1,400 calls reporting cruelty and neglect. A number of rabbit cruelty cases even reached the courts. One couple who allowed their pet to die, rather than pay for medical help, were banned from keeping rabbits for year. In an even more extreme example of cruelty, a Hull woman left her pet rabbit to starve to death in its hutch. Owners keen to learn more about what is on offer should make their way on Saturday to one of the following venues, Pets at Home in Hull, Bridlington North Library and the Scout Hut in Goole.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a tiny Chihuahua and her equally petite owner survived a night in Snowdonia by cuddling up to keep warm. Beverley Burkitt, who has dwarfism, was staying at a pony trekking centre in North Wales when she took her pet dog Pebbles for a walk. Unfortunately the two became lost in local woodland and Beverley was unable to raise the alarm because she had dropped her mobile phone. A rescue helicopter with heat seeking cameras and search teams combed the area, but it was not until the next morning when the hapless walkers were found. Fortunately, it was an unusually warm March night and neither owner nor dog suffered lasting harm.
Latest from the Buddies pet insurance news team…a poll on vetsonline.com has revealed the extent of prescription charges levied by vets following the recent lifting of the ban. 194 vets answered questions using the on-line poll, with twelve per cent claiming they still make no charge for the service. Nearly half said their practice levied a charge of between £1 and £8, while 37 per cent charged between £9 to £16. The return to prescription charges follows a three-year ban imposed by the former Department of Trade and Industry. This finally came to end in October 2008. The DTI had originally made the decision following a recommendation from a 2003 enquiry carried out by the Competition Commission, which had concluded the practice gave vets an unfair advantage.
