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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th November 2023
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Experts to discuss ‘dangerous’ dogs at LVS
The Japanese Tosa is one of the breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
BVA panel will include the only vet MP.

An expert panel, hosted by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), is set to debate the topic of ‘dangerous’ dogs at the London Vet Show this week.

The session, ‘Breed or Deed? Unpicking the complexities of “dangerous” dogs’, will discuss the effectiveness of breed specific legislation and how to deal with the issue of dog aggression.

BVA junior vice-president Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux will chair the debate. She will be joined by:
  • Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Penrith and The Border
  • Dr Sam Gaines, head of companion animals, RSPCA
  • Cat Henstridge (Cat the Vet), first opinion veterinary surgeon and social media influencer
  • Trevor Cooper, Cooper & Co Solicitors.

After the Government announced in September that XL bully type dogs will be banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the issue of how to tackle aggressive behaviour by dogs has become a major talking point.

The move has been welcomed by some in the veterinary profession, including by Neil Hudson MP, the only veterinary surgeon in the House of Commons.

However, the ban has also drawn criticism, including from the Dog Control Coalition, which includes the BVA and the RSPCA among its members. The coalition wants to see an end to breed specific legislation, with a focus instead on education and early interventions to deal with behavioural concerns.

Dr Mullineaux said: “Dog aggression and bite incidents are complex public health and social issues to which there are no easy answers or quick-fix solutions. With a fifth breed type now added to the list of banned breeds, and with cases of dog bites still increasing, it is important to carefully consider the short and longer-term consequences of the decision, as well as ask questions about how effective this step will be.

“I hope to see many of our veterinary colleagues attending London Vet Show at what promises to be an extremely interesting and important debate.”

The session will take place at the BVA Congress Theatre at 1.45pm on Friday, 17 November.

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.