D Day For Lucy's Law

Lucy’s Law will come in to force on
                  6 April 2020

By Megan Harding -13th May 2019

A law banning the third party sales of puppies and kittens in the England will come into force next year, as the Environment Secretary Michael Gove laid out the new legislation in Parliament today (13 May).

The new legislation, nicknamed ‘Lucy’s Law’, aims to protect puppies and kittens and put a stop to backyard breeders and puppy farmers, whose unscrupulous methods can cause harm to both pups and mother through the spreading of preventable disease and lack of vital socialisation.

From 6 April 2020, puppies and kittens can no longer be sold by a third party seller – such as a pet shop or commercial dealer – unless they have bred the animal themselves. Instead, anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehoming centre.

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016 after being subjected to horrific conditions on a Welsh puppy farm. Puppy farm breeding dogs like Lucy are often used to produce multiple litters and their puppies are taken from them far too early, before being sold in pet shops or advertised online.

Lucy was rescued from a Welsh puppy farm. She passed away in 2016

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said, “This is about giving our animals the best possible start in life and making sure that no other animal suffers the same fate as Lucy. It will put an end to the early separation of puppies and kittens from their mothers, as well as the terrible conditions in which some of these animals are bred.

“I would like to thank the tireless campaigners and animal lovers who have helped to bring about this positive change.

“This is all part of our plan to make this country the best place in the world for the protection and care of animals.”

Marc Abraham, Lucy’s Law campaigner and founder of Pup Aid said, “I’m absolutely thrilled that Lucy’s Law is now being laid in Parliament and will come into effect from April 2020. For years irresponsible breeders in the UK and abroad, so-called puppy farmers, have depended on commercial third party sellers – e.g. dealers and pet shops – to keep their breeding dogs and puppies in horrific conditions hidden from the public.

“Lucy’s Law is named after one of the sweetest, bravest dogs I’ve ever known, and is a fitting tribute to all the victims of the cruel third party puppy trade, both past and present.

“On behalf of my fellow grassroots campaigners I’d like to thank Mr Gove, Defra officials, and every single supporter, parliamentarian, celebrities, and ethical animal welfare organisation that has proudly helped make Lucy’s Law a reality.”

Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley visited Mayhew last week

The decision to ban commercial third party sales was announced in December 2018following years of high-profile campaigning by animal welfare organisations and a public consultation, from which there was over 95 per cent support for a ban.

Animal welfare charities, many of which have helped to rehome and rescue the victims of puppy farms, have voiced their support for Lucy’s Law.

Last week the Animal Welfare Minister visited the Mayhew Animal Home in North London, a charity that rehomes puppies and kittens and which supports Lucy’s Law.

David Rutley said, “The legislation laid in Parliament today is the next crucial step in stamping out the appalling trade of farmed puppies and kittens.

“As well as protecting and improving the lives of animals, it’s also about protecting the public from being tricked by unscrupulous sellers. Our ban on third party sales means that people can see first-hand that their new pet is healthy and has come from a responsible breeder.”

Upon hearing the news, Caroline Yates, CEO at Mayhew said, “Mayhew is very pleased to hear that Lucy’s Law has now been laid in Parliament. We have long supported the call to ban third party puppy and kitten sales; and we are delighted that such legislation will come into force next year and make a difference to the lives of countless animals.

“This ban is a great step forward in improving animal welfare standards, and together with the tighter licensing laws introduced last October, will result in significantly fewer animals being bred in and passed around harmful or unsuitable environments by unscrupulous breeders and dealers.

“We hope this legislation will also encourage potential pet owners to first think about visiting their local rehoming shelters when searching for a puppy or dog, cat or kitten to adopt into their families.”

The ban is also expected to deter puppy smugglers who abuse the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) by bringing underage puppies into the UK which are then sold for financial gain.

Megan Harding

UK MPs Undervalue Our Dogs - Why?

UK DOG NEWS

UK Government Votes to Deny Dog Sentience: More MPs & Charities Speak Out

 Ryan O'Meara

Yesterday we brought news that MPs had voted to deny dog sentience as an enshrined law. The Dogs Trust has joined the RSPCA to criticise the move along with those politicians who have spoken out in favour of protecting animal sentience within British law as the UK votes on new laws once withdrawal from the European Union is complete.

The charity statement reads:

Dogs Trust express disappointment at lost opportunity as MPs vote against including animal sentience in the EU Withdrawal Bill negotiations

Dogs Trust warns there is a real risk of animal welfare laws slipping in the UK as MPs voted not to include animal sentience in the EU Withdrawal Bill on Wednesday evening. This is a huge blow for animal welfare as this would have ensured that these obligations, currently in EU law, would have been recognised in UK law after Brexit.

 Although the UK is currently a country with some of the better animal welfare standards in Europe, when it comes to animal sentience – the capacity to feel, perceive, or experience – the UK has no legal instrument other than Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty*, which states that animals are sentient beings.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, comments:

“Animals are sentient beings whose welfare should be protected. We need to ensure that this principle is retained in future UK legislation after we leave the EU otherwise there is a risk to our animal welfare standards. The current EU requirement to fully consider animal sentience obliges policymakers to pass progressive animal welfare laws and is important for ethical reasons as well as to protect animal welfare. We are a nation of animal lovers and we implore Government to remember this as we exit the EU.”

Caroline Lucas MP who raised the amendment last night comments:

"Yesterday’s decision by the Government to vote down my amendment on animal sentience really was disappointing. This change would have guaranteed that animals don’t become collateral damage in the Brexit negotiations – and it’s a real shame it was rejected. I know that animal lovers will be concerned by this setback, but there’s still a chance that the House of Lords can change the Bill – and enshrine animals sentience into British law."

Dogs Trust now strongly urges the House of Lords to take forward the issue of animal sentience when the EU Withdrawal Bill is debated there, most likely early next year.

Further reading:

What does Brexit mean for puppy farming & other animal welfare law?

Dogs with Depression

 Posted by Hannah Dyball in Pet Care

Change happens all the time and while it usually upsets us humans very little, for dogs new things can be very distressing. Maybe you’ve recently moved house or had a baby, or perhaps everyone is grieving the loss of a loved one. Out of the blue, your usually rambunctious dog is sad and withdrawn. No matter how hard you try, there is no way of bringing him round.

Could your dog be depressed? Experts say yes. Dogs can be easily upset by changes in their environment and this can last a matter of days, or in extreme cases, a number of weeks. If your dog becomes depressed they may be lethargic or disinterested, and may even stop eating and drinking altogether. Unless this is nipped in the bud quickly, your pooch may suffer a slow decline.

However, before you self-diagnose your dog’s depression, it is worth getting him examined by your vet to rule out other things. There may be a medical reason why your dog is acting off and it is important to rule out everything. If your vet finds no physical abnormalities then he might consider depression as a cause.

A diagnosis of depression might come as a complete surprise to you, or it may make perfect sense. If there has been an obvious change in your household i.e. a new baby, building work, or a death in the family, your dog’s depression is likely to be a consequence of this. Sometimes a change to the normal routine or a transference of attention from one thing (your dog) to another thing (your new home/baby/partner) can manifest as depression. The weather is another factor that can influence your pet's mood and behaviours, just as it can ours.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a condition that affects many of us to some extent during the darker winter months. As we move from summer to autumn and winter, your dog's mood is also likely to change. Like with humans, some dogs are more susceptible to seasonal depression than others. It may be that reduced sunlight hours and more rain means their exercise routine has changed and they are being walked far less than before. Dogs that are depressed because of SAD are likely to exhibit withdrawal, lethargy, and a craving for food.

If your dog exhibits any symptoms or behaviours out of the norm, it is important to have him examined by a vet.

Observe your canine throughout the day, paying particular attention to his basic habits such as playing and eating. If your dog's disposition towards people and other house pets was once friendly and playful and has suddenly grown detached and disinterested, depression may be the cause. Likewise, if your dog suddenly eats less than he did before it is possible he is experiencing some sort of physical or mental distress.

Sometimes a visible cause can be found under close inspection i.e. a physical injury or a tooth problem may prompt lethargy and depression if it has not been treated. Similarly, diseases such as Lyme Disease can cause depressive tendencies, while an infectious condition could also be at play. The symptoms of hormonal imbalances like hyperthyroidism are also very similar to those of depression.

So, how do I combat my dog's depression? Perhaps the most obvious advice is to keep your dog active and engaged in 'happy' exercises at home. However sometimes, particularly if your dog is well in the throws of depression, improving your dog's mood yourself is a more difficult task. If your vet suspects severe depression, he may prescribe medication to help boost your dog's mood and get him back on track. A behavioural therapist may also be recommended to re-condition your dog and have him overcoming his anxieties.

While showering your dog with affection is tempting and very often our immediate response to a companion's show of melancholy, this can actually be detrimental to his recovery. Rewarding depressed behaviours with excessive displays of love and attention may encourage your dog to continue behaving this way. That is not to say you should ignore your dog, but you should try to act as normally as possible to reassure your dog that one area of change doesn't have to mean complete change.

If you have any experience of caring for a dog with depression, please share it with our other readers! Feel free to contact me directly with any further questions and/or suggestions for future blog posts: hannahd@viovet.co.uk

Do You Understand Your Dog's Natural Behaviour?

　

We tend to naturally think that dogs yawn because they are bored. While this may be true of dogs when they are lying on their beds, yawning is also a calming signal. A stressed dog may yawn and lick his nose to mean "I’m feeling uptight, but let’s all calm down and everything will be better off".

　

Dogs can stare at you for disturbingly long periods of time. Asking your dog "What? What is it?" is proven to be worthless. So, what do they want? A sitting, quiet dog stares at his owners because he want treats or attention. The canine gaze has adapted over the centuries to make us humans feel sympathy for dogs, and they use this trick quite frequently.

　

However, direct eye contact is also a sign of aggressiveness. A dog in a threatening position shows his teeth or barks in a low tone.

　

This dogs’ habit is not always what it seems. Many people believe that dogs try to hump other dogs, teddy bears, and even humans because they want to express dominance or for sexual reasons. However, most dogs hump other dogs as a way to play with them. Since humping is seen as embarrassing behavior, most owners try to train their dogs not to do it.

　

Humping, as well as many other bodily movements, may become a problem in dogs who display an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Owners should look for specialized help if their dog displays high levels of anxiety.

　

The dog’s ears are very expressive. Low, backwards ears indicate that the dog is shy or afraid. In any case, touching the dog’s head might not be a very good idea. If you are familiar with the dog, just gently touch his back. Touching a strange dog who displays signs of fear can be quite dangerous.

　

That is correct. Some dogs eat poop, either their own or poop from someone else. It is a seen as a disgusting habit, but the truth is that dogs find poop tasty. Of course, they can be trained not to eat it. Another possible reason for eating poop is that there are missing nutrients in his or her food, so the dog eats whatever is around to replace whatever is lacking.

　

Dogs usually chase their tails in a playful manner. However, tail chasing may also be a sign of gland problems or flea allergy dermatitis, so if the behavior is persistent, you should make a visit to your vet.

　

Many dogs behave perfectly… until the owner leaves the house. The dog’s destructive behavior when she is alone is called "separation anxiety". An anxious dog may urinate, chew, or bark. It is important to train our dogs to tolerate, if not enjoy, being on their own while we are not at home.

　

Dogs love to lick: they lick themselves, other dogs, humans, and objects alike. Of course, sometimes dogs lick because they like the taste. But licking can mean a variety of things. Dogs may constantly lick a part of their body, which may mean that they are injured or that they have been stung by some insect. Licking is also a calming signal: stressed dogs may yawn and lick their nose or us to calm down. Of course, dogs also lick other dogs and humans to show affection and to gain attention.

　

The position and movement of the dog’s tail is a very important key to understanding his attitude. A playful dog usually wags his tail, but not every wagging tail is a sign of playfulness. Aggressive dogs also wag their tail, for example. An attentive dog holds his tail stiff, while a relaxed dog’s tail hangs down.

　

Barking is the natural sound dogs make. It serves many purposes: to alert others that something unusual is going on, to attract his owner’s attention, and to express aggressiveness over other dogs or humans. A barking dog may therefore be excited, happy, fearful, or aggressive. It is important to pay attention to other cues, such as to what the dog is barking at and the position of his tail and ears, to know why a dog is barking and what attitude the bark expresses.

　

Read more at http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/cs-dog-whisperer/#HxR6x8twQu7LgRyW.99

　

Did Your Dog Have A Good Christmas?

Many vets have reported an increase in dogs being brought into their surgeries, suffering from aliments which can be directly traced to inappropriate feeding over Christmas.

Most vets attribute this rise in harmful consumption to human treats such as stuffing, chocolate, Christmas pudding, mince pies and grapes. This type of food can be dangerous for dogs and even prove fatal in a few cases. Well meaning owners, who want their dog to have a few extra treats at Christmas may end up causing their best friend great distress.

“If you suspect that your dog has eaten something harmful, like chocolate, raisins, or onions, see a vet immediately.
Onions or food containing onions is dangerous because dogs do not have the necessary enzymes in their digestive system to deal with onion and related foods such as garlic.

Chocolate can cause serious harm to a dog because it contains a substance called theobromine. Similar to caffeine, the stimulant is poisonous to dogs and can affect the heart, central nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms can occur from four hours after ingesting chocolate and can include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate and seizures.

Also, it should not be forgotten that controlling a dog's diet is a discipline for the whole year, not just over the Christmas season. Along with avoiding chocolate, owners should avoid feeding dogs grapes, raisins, onions or garlic.

Warning

Please do not treat your dog with a chew toy
made from leather or fibre and from an unknown supplier

Many of the imported variety contain poisons which are slow acting but cause a shortening of your dogs life.

If in doubt don't buy one