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Charities respond to 'heartbreaking' article
dog
The RSPCA said the article sends 'a dangerous and very irresponsible message to children'. (stock photo)
Owner admits to getting rid of four dogs in four years
 
Animal charities have responded to a Daily Mail article that prompted outrage among dog lovers. In it, the author Shona Sibary admits: 'I get rid of dogs as soon as they stop being cute puppies'.

She claims to have got rid of four dogs in as many years, for various reasons.

Husky cross Juno was said to have been rehomed in 2012 as he dug in the garden and leaped 6ft fences; Rhodesian ridgeback Albus became aggressive towards other dogs; dachshund Pippa killed pheasants, ducks, doves and a heavily pregnant sheep; and Labrador-collie cross Cookie, with Pippa, killed a breeding ram.

Shona now owns whippet cross cocker spaniel, Clover, who was named by Shona's young daughter.

Some have questioned the truth of the article, however, as it contradicts a previous article Shona wrote for the Daily Mail in 2012: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081502/Stray-dogs-There-345-day-hard-dog-loving-home.html

The RSPCA called her latest article 'heartbreaking', saying it sends 'a dangerous and very irresponsible message to children'.

The Dogs Trust, however, urged animal lovers to 'harness the outrage this article has prompted and turn it unto something positive for dogs'.

In a statement, the charity said: 'We urge everyone who has been angered, appalled or disgusted by her attitude to visit our rehoming website, sponsor one of our dogs, volunteer or make sure everyone you know who is thinking of getting a dog, thinks Rescue First.'

The charity has invited Shona, her family and the Daily Mail, to visit one of its 20 rehoming centres. Its training and behaviour team are keen to show her the damaging impact of early abandonment on some dogs.

Taking a similar approach, the Kennel Club said the article is a good example of 'what not to do' - pointing out that Shona buys breeds that do not fit her lifestyle, from irresponsible breeders and does not see the litter with their mother.

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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. 

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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.