RSPCA to pull out of Crufts and Discover Dogs

EGAR

Looks like they are going to pull out of Crufts and Discover Dogs:

- Urgent change is needed to save the pedigree dog -

The RSPCA has suspended plans for a stand at Crufts and is calling for new measures to tackle the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease that threaten pedigree dogs.

In the wake of the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed broadcast last month, the RSPCA has become increasingly concerned about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs - and this includes animals entered into ‘best of breed’ classes in dog shows like Crufts.

In the past, the RSPCA has staffed a stand at Crufts in order to promote general animal welfare issues.

RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: “Dog shows using current breed standards as the main judging criteria actively encourage both the intentional breeding of deformed and disabled dogs and the inbreeding of closely related animals. There is compelling scientific evidence that the health and welfare of hundreds of thousands of pedigree dogs is seriously compromised as a result. From a dog health and welfare perspective, such shows are fundamentally flawed and do our much loved pedigree dogs no favours. Intentionally breeding deformed and disabled animals is morally unjustifiable and it has to stop.

“We want to see the emphasis shifted away from arbitrary appearance, so that health, welfare and temperament are considered first and foremost. We want to help ensure that pedigree dogs have the best possible chance of being fit, healthy and happy and well suited to the lives they will lead as pets. All those who benefit from pedigree dogs have a collective responsibility to solve what is now a very serious and totally unnecessary animal welfare problem - not just here in the UK, but around the world.”

The RSPCA has commissioned an independent review of the science in this field, and will be discussing its findings with relevant experts and stakeholders later this year. Amongst a raft of specific recommendations, the following themes have been identified as possible ways forward:

 An overhaul of the rules and requirements for pedigree dog registration and competitive dog showing (including breed standards). Health, welfare and temperament should be prioritised over appearance.
 The development and implementation of health and welfare-focused breeding strategies for individual breeds. This should include pro-active steps to increase the genetic diversity of dog breeds.
 More data collection and scientific analysis on causes of disease and death in dogs
 Education, especially of would-be owners, to encourage demand for dogs which have the best possible chance of leading healthy, happy lives as pets.

“We know that hundreds of thousands of dogs are vulnerable to illness, pain, disability and behavioural problems because they’re primarily bred for how they look rather than with health, welfare and temperament in mind,” Mr Evans said.

“If things don’t change pedigree dogs will continue to suffer unnecessarily, and their welfare will continue to decline – this is totally unacceptable and can’t be allowed to happen. Careful breeding with an emphasis on health, welfare, temperament and quality of life is the only way to ensure a positive future for the pedigree dog.”

The RSPCA has also cancelled plans to attend the Discover Dogs show, due to take place in November.

Linky Thingy

EGAR

Dogs Trust next??

The Dogs Trust has spoken to K9 Magazine today on the issue of their continued patronage of Crufts dog show in the wake of the RSPCA’s announcement that they will no longer attend the flagship Kennel Club event.

The Dogs Trust has stopped short of announcing a withdrawal but has instead asked for input from its supporters with regard to their onggoing presence at event, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

“Dogs Trust believes that the welfare of all dogs should be highlighted at Crufts and we have a long and successful history of celebrating and highlighting rescue dogs at the show.

The recent BBC documentary raised some important issues about the breeding of pedigree dogs and Dogs Trust has passed on our recommendations to both Defra and The Kennel Club and we are liaising with them about future plans.

We hope that the BBC programme has provided the impetus and muscle to bring about the necessary changes but we will be listening to our supporters and monitoring the situation very closely over the next six months.”

So, if you’re a Dogs Trust supporter, let them know how you feel. It seems you have a pivotal role to play in the decision making process.

Link

arybvtcw0eolkf

Thanks.

Beth

Looks like the start of something big.
i wonder will the BBC pull out of coverage like it was said.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Beth wrote: »

Looks like the start of something big.
i wonder will the BBC pull out of coverage like it was said.

I was thinking something a long the same lines.

I get the impression that a fire has been lit.

Beth

Yup.

If Dog's Trust get the support, and do end up pulling out, the BBC could well pull out. While they make a lot from the coverage, their standing would go up a heck of a lot if they backed RSPCA and Dog's Trust and pulled out. I think it would do more for them than any coverage of Crufts would do - for all 3.

While the RSPCA and Dog's Trust lose out on the amount of people they can reach from the stands at Crufts, they'll gain a lot more from the coverage of pulling out. And if backed by BBC, would only get more coverage.

Could be a hugely beneficial thing in the end.

Well, thats my thinking on it, but i'm not the BBC boss

Beth

Dogs Trust have pulled out

Dogs Trust Withdraws From Kennel Club Events Including Crufts

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity has announced it will be withdrawing from Crufts and Discover Dogs. Dogs Trust will also not be involved in this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year Show. This follows consultation with the charity’s Trustees and requests from its supporters.

Dogs Trust believes that this removal of support is the strongest signal it can give to the Kennel Club and breeders to achieve immediate action to ensure that the health and wellbeing of pedigree dogs is ranked over appearance and artificial breed standards.

Dogs Trust hopes that this will lead to rapid changes in the manner in which dogs are bred and is in talks with Defra and The Kennel Club to help bring about the following much needed changes:

1. The review of breed standards to ensure they are firmly focused on the health and wellbeing of the dog, not the supposed aesthetics of the breed. Breeders and show judges must be required to adhere to these revised breed standards.

2. The introduction of secondary legislation, so as to prevent inappropriate breeding practices, especially the intentional inbreeding of closely related dogs or dogs with known debilitating genetic illnesses.

3. The introduction of genetic screening of all breeding stock and the assured integrity of such a process.

4. Purchasers of dogs should first consider a rescue dog. If it is a pedigree, they must understand the importance of determining and questioning its genetic heritage.

Dogs Trust has had a long history of working with The Kennel Club in order to promote rescue dogs at pedigree shows and we hope to be able to continue this relationship as soon as these vital animal welfare points have been put in place.

Link

AND!!!!!!

Hot on the heels of the RSPCA’s momentous decision to boycott Crufts dog show on animal welfare grounds, other animal organisations are reviewing their position with regard to their ongoing presence at Crufts.

The latest animal welfare organisation to speak to K9 Magazine about their current Crufts position is Wood Green Animal Shelters, who said:

“Wood Green Animal Shelters are considering all comments and plans put forward by The Kennel Club following the recent BBC programme before making any decisions regarding their attendance at Crufts.” Wood Green Animal Shelters.

It is thought that major sponsors Pedigree are on the verge of calling an end to their sponsorship of Crufts and leading animal charities are sure to view the RSPCA’s decision as hugely influential

Link

The BIG ball is rolling now

Pedigree might be pulling their sponsorship - will they??

BBC Radio debate about RSPCA pulling out of Crufts

Glowing

I'm loving this! About time too - I hope this will teach the KC a thing or two, and encourage them to actually give a crap about their dog's health.

stevoman

if only they just brought in showing dogs that focus on their working ability there wouldnt be half of these probloms and the dogs would be far more happier.

Beth

I'm loving it too Glowing
Still havent heard anything about the BBC coverage of it though. If they back the welfare organisations, and pulled out, not only would it be a huge blow to Crufts but would be a great thing for their rep. Backing the welfare organisations would have them rise in many peoples eyes.

Stevoman, they have agility trials - i.e. working dogs. Not necessarily the same sort of working that you are on about. But in the end Crufts is a beauty contest. Not a working contest.

bigpinkelephant

Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!!

Come on BBC!!! Cut them loose!!!

That program was fantastic and hopefully will get some balls rolling over here too...

Beth

And there's more

Battersea Dogs Home Considers Position Regarding Crufts

link

Meanwhile Barclays Bank, which supported the show this year, has advised that they will not be renewing any sponsorship of the event in the future

AND!

The complaint comes in the wake of the high profile withdrawals from Crufts by the two leading animal welfare charities in the UK, the RSPCA and Dogs Trust.Meanwhile, as pressure builds on the BBC (the broadcaster of Pedigree Dogs Exposed) to ditch its annual Crufts coverage, The Kennel Club’s secretary Caroline Kisko has confidently predicted they won’t struggle to find a new broadcast partner for the highly controversial Crufts show

“I am sure we won’t have any difficulty finding another broadcaster if it goes that way”, the Kennel Club sec said in response to the threat of the BBC contract being ended early.

Arrogant Kennel Club ‘Won’t Have Difficulty’ Finding Another Crufts Broadcaster

Arrogant - very.
But it gives the BBC a chance to speak up at the right time - NOW, and actually pull out!!

Beth

And we're off!

BBC Sets up Crufts Advisory Panel
The BBC has announced it has set up a panel that will advise the corporation on a plan of action with regard to the broadcaster’s ongoing coverage of Crufts dogs show.

The announcement comes as the BBC was forced to defend its documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed in response to a Kennel Club complaint to Ofcom.

The broadcaster has reiterated previous statements saying the documentary was ‘meticulously researched’ over a period of two years.

The advisory panel has been set up to highlight measures the Kennel Club will be expected to take to protect the welfare of dogs.

“We stand by the journalism in this documentary,” a BBC spokesman said. “We are keen to continue discussions with the Kennel Club about matters raised in the film.

“The panel will be asked to give the BBC their advice quickly to enable the BBC to discuss the issues with The Kennel Club before planning begins for coverage of Crufts 2009.”

Link

Beth

The National Dog Warden Association have pulled out too

The National Dog Warden Association has joined the growing number of organisations to pull out of Crufts 2009.

The decision to take a step back was not taken lightly as Crufts Dog Show is considered to be one of the most prestigious events attended by the NDWA team.

NDWA President Sue Bell said that ‘the NDWA is committed to the continual promotion of responsible dog ownership through a combination of education and enforcement.’ We feel that the Kennel Club should take stronger measures to promote responsible breeding practices’ she continued.

The NDWA stand at Crufts is an award winning one that won recognition from K9 Magazines Alternative Crufts Awards.

Link

Pedigree aren't pulling sponsorship

Longtime Crufts sponsor Pedigree pet foods has said it will be supporting the Kennel Club in the wake of high profile withdrawals from the flagship Kennel Club dog show from the RSPCA and Dogs Trust.

A Pedigree spokesman gave this statement to K9 Magazine.

“At PEDIGREE everything we do is for the love of dogs. We constantly work with breeders, owners and industry bodies to continually promote responsible dog ownership and breeding. As a company dedicated to dogs, we would like to see all dogs in good health and enjoying life to the full. We currently have no plans to withdraw our sponsorship of Crufts. We will support all parties to ensure that breeders and show organisers maintain pet health and welfare as their primary concern.”

Morals versus money. An interesting debate to be had.

Link
Do they need the coverage after having to recall food ? Hmm

lostinnappies

about time:D