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Vets urged to report suspected dog fighting injuries
Among the warning signs to watch out for include puncture wounds in various stages of healing.
New guidance to help tackle growing welfare problem

A leading animal welfare charity is calling on vets to report suspected dog fighting injuries after evidence shows that eyewitness reports are going unreported.

The call from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) comes in response to a Royal Veterinary College (RVC) survey that provides evidence dog fighting is on the rise.

The survey found that 15 per cent of veterinary professionals suspected they had treated at least one dog engaged in illegal dog fighting. However, LACS says that most of these are going unreported ‘amid members of the veterinary profession lacking confidence in how to report their suspicions.’

“Vets are in a unique position to help tackle dog fighting where animals with suspected fighting injuries are encountered,” explained Suzanne Heaney, dog fighting programme manager at the LACS. “It is extremely concerning such incidents are not being routinely reported through the mistakenperception that customer confidentiality prohibits veterinary professionals from raising the alarm with animal welfare charities or the police.”

The League stresses the government’s code of practice recognises that animal welfare trumps client confidentiality and the vital role of vets in tackling this growing problem. To help overcome this common misconception, the League has published a handy guide for veterinary professionals, on how to spot the signs of dog fighting and how to report it.

Among the warning signs to watch out for include puncture wounds in various stages of healing, typically to the head, neck, chest and forelimbs, and marks around the neck from weighted collars used in fight training. Vets are also urged to look out for owners paying in cask to avoid detection for a dog used in fighting, and owners seeking to purchase drugs or medical supplies with a view to treating injuries themselves.

“The League urges veterinary professionals to familiarise themselves with the injuries and behaviours which indicate dog fighting, then come forward with any suspected cases in confidence to the League,” Ms Heaney continued. “It may be a cliché, but one very true, that it’s better to be safe than sorry – especially when the life of a dog forced to fight depends on people taking action.”

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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.