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New website defends Staffies
Nick Freeman with his one-year-old Staffie, George

Top lawyer aims to change public perception

A website has been launched by one of the country's top lawyers, Nick Freeman, in an attempt to address negative public perceptions of Staffordshire bull terriers.

Having been a Staffie owner for nearly 20 years, Mr Freeman aims to re-educate the public and the media by demonstrating the positive qualities of the Staffie.

He says: "The dog has attracted negative media attention for many years and is commonly associated with gangland drug-dealing thugs and attacks on people and other animals.

"I feel that there is so much within this breed that is good that hitherto has been artfully concealed from the public, which in turn, has created a massive problem for this loyal animal."

Mr Freeman fears that negative opinions of the breed could lead to ownership being pushed "further underground, which will lead to the breed being used solely and exclusively for illegal purposes."

Save the Staffy website includes information on the history of the breed, caring for Staffies, dogs and the law and links to useful resources.

Facebook and Twitter pages have also been created to promote the campaign, and allow a forum for Staffie owners to share photos and videos of their pets.

To find out more, visit the Save the Staffy website, Facebook and Twitter pages. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."