Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Battersea calls for further action on dangerous dogs
Dangerous dogs
Battersea are calling for a genuine government dog strategy to review and improve the way dogs are regulated.

Charity concerned new laws do not do enough to protect wider communities

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has welcomed tough new legislation to prevent dog attacks, however the animal charity is calling for more government action to help prevent dogs becoming dangerously out of control.

A leading voice on responsible dog ownership, Battersea say that they fully support the new legal powers, and will enable police and local authorities to demand that owners take action to prevent dog attacks if a complaint about their dog has been made and upheld.

However, Battersea are concerned that the new laws do not do enough to protect communities or tackle wider issues, such as the backstreet breeding and unregulated online sales of puppies - many of which are brought and trained up to be used as weapon dogs.

Battersea's head of canine welfare training, Ali Taylor, said: "The new powers will certainly help the police and local authorities in their efforts to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour with dogs and the use of dogs as a substitute for a gun or a knife. Such dogs can cause untold harm to humans and other animals.

"But Battersea thinks protecting the public from dangerous dogs and their irresponsible owners is so important that the Government shouldn’t lump this issue in alongside other anti-social behaviours such as graffiti, noise and bullying. We’re calling for a genuine government dog strategy to review and improve the way dogs are regulated.”

Many animal welfare organisations, including Battersea, have called for the introduction of Dog Control Notices, which are currently used in Scotland. The notices are easy for both owners and enforcers to understand and act as genuine preventative measures, while not penalising responsible dog owners.  

Battersea say that educating dog owners on their responsibility is also key to preventing dog attacks happening in the first place.

Ali Taylor continued:  “We hope these new powers for the police and local authorities help reduce the amount of dog attacks we see on our streets but there is still a real need for more early prevention to stop attacks happening in the first place. We want the law to succeed and reduce anti-social behaviour without penalising responsible dog owners. Battersea will be playing our part to help it do so.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.