26th April 2006

BASC continues tail docking campaign in Scotland
 

26th April 2006……………………………………………immediate release

Members of the Scottish Parliament are to be lobbied to exempt working gundogs from a proposed ban on tail docking in a campaign organised by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

The Scottish Executive is proposing an outright ban on the docking of dogs' tails. The Executive had originally said working dogs would be exempt from the ban proposed in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is concerned that a total ban on tail docking in Scotland will be detrimental to the welfare of working dogs and would affect Scottish gundog breeders. MPs voted in favour of an exemption for working dogs in England and Wales last month after a successful lobbying campaign by BASC.

Thousands of BASC members in Scotland will be sent lobby cards to send to their MSPs. BASC representatives have already given evidence to the Parliamentary Committee considering the Bill. Some breeds of working dogs, particularly spaniels and pointers, are vulnerable to painful tail injuries which can be prevented by a simple veterinary procedure to shorten their tails soon after birth.

BASC’s Director for Scotland Dr Colin Shedden said “Banning tail docking for working dogs would be a misguided attempt to improve animal welfare. This would cause unnecessary suffering to thousands of dogs. Docking is a simple procedure which protects for life.”

“They are not docked to make them look pretty. Tails are shortened by vets to prevent injury while working. Such injuries are traumatic for dog and owner and can leave the dog facing amputation. The solution is simple. Vets should be allowed the discretion to shorten a dogs tail early in life if they are satisfied the animal is to be used as a working dog”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information contact BASC Scotland on 01350 723 226 or the press office on 01244 573031

To download the BASC tail docking postcard go to: http://www.basc.org.uk/content/docking_campaign_scotland
_________________
Simon Clarke,
Head of press relations,
BASC
simon.clarke@basc.org.uk
01244 573031

14th April 2006

Spaniel stolen at knifepoint is killed

A clumber spaniel  reportedly stolen at knifepoint in Shropshire on Wednesday night has  been found dead.  According to the BBC News West Mercia police believe the thieves were lying in wait for the owner and his dog as they took their customary evening walk.  

9th April 2006

Dead swan found in Anglesey is now being tested for H5N1

Fourteen dead birds in Scotland have now tested negative. A dead swan found in Anglesey Wales, is this weekend being tested for the H5N1 virus.

To keep things in perspective, the RSPB have pointed out that all but one of the 1,000 birds already tested in the UK had fallen victim to predators, old age, hunger, cold, disease, and accidents such as flying into windows.

8th April 2006

Nine birds test negative for bird flu in Scotland

Good news this morning.  Officials have said that tests carried out on nine further birds which have died in Scotland recently have now proved negative for the H5N1 virus.
 

6th April 2006

Bird Flu arrives in Great Britain

How will this affect our shoots for the coming season and beyond?
 

Scientists have confirmed that a dead mute swan found floating in a Scottish harbour last week was infected with the H5N1 flu virus. Obviously this is of great concern especially to all those involved in the poultry industry. It is also of concern to all those involved in game rearing and conservation will wish to know as much as possible about how the situation is likely to develop and what precautions they should take to safeguard their gamebirds and their own health. Restriction of bird movements and culling of infected birds may be necessary at some point and in some areas.

It should be noted that the virus though deadly to birds is basically an avian disease, it only passes to humans with great difficulty and after very close contact. The general public is not considered to be at risk.

The following organisations have provided information on their websites

British Association for Shooting and Conservation
http://www.basc.org.uk/content/basc_calls_for_increased_

Defra
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm

The Gamefarmers Association
http://www.gfa.org.uk/page2.html

National Gamekeepers Organisation
http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/press/261005.html

14th March 2006

Exemption from the docking ban for working gundogs

The results of last nights debate and subsequent vote on the docking bill caused confusion amongst working dog owners throughout the country. Many were unsure whether or not they had won or lost. It is however clear now that the MPs voted for a ban on tail docking with the inclusion of an exemption for certain working dogs.

In order that a dog will qualify for exemption, a veterinary surgeon must certify that the dog is likely to be used for work in connection with law enforcement, activities of Her Majesty's armed forces, emergency rescue, lawful pest control, or the lawful shooting of animals. It is as yet unclear how many vets will be willing to do so.

More information can be found on the BASC website.

13th March 2006

Tail docking  -  last minute reprieve for spaniels?

It seems that the latest amendment to the anti-docking bill, will separate the show and working strains of some of our favourite breeds of gundog forever. There has long been a split between show and working spaniels, few are truly dual purpose, but up until now several of our HPR breeds have been excellent dual purpose dogs, successful in both field and show ring. Now all that is to end.

Margaret Beckett, the Rural Affairs Secretary, and Ben Bradshaw and Jim Knight, her junior ministers, have tabled an amendment to the Animal Welfare Bill allowing certain working dog to be exempt from the impending docking ban. If the amendment is successful, police dogs, rescue dogs and working gundogs will be continue to be permitted to have their tails docked. Thank goodness for common sense - although there is of course no guarantee that this amendment will achieve sufficient support to make it law.

The catch ( as ever ) is, that dogs with docked tails will not be permitted to compete in the show ring. Thus deepening the separation between those in the gundog community who work their dogs, and those who do not. You will all need to be sure when you purchase your next spaniel or HPR puppy, what you intend to do with the rest of it’s life. You may also need to prove your intentions before docking will be permitted.

Once more bureaucracy and intolerance deepens the separation between our urban and rural communities.

You can read more in the Times Online :

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2078651,00.html

 

21st January 2006

Tail docking –
Your urgent action required

Many MPs debating the Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament on 10 January, expressed strong opposition to tail docking and there is a real danger that this practice, which is very important to many owners of working gundogs and terriers, could be banned.

BASC members can help change MPs' minds. If you have docked gundogs, such as spaniels, HPRs or working terriers, write, email, call or visit your MP, telling them of your experience with working dogs in the shooting field. Explain why your dogs are docked and how important it is to protect your dogs from injury. If you have seen undocked dogs suffer tail injury in the shooting field, then tell them about that too.
Ask for your MP's support for an exemption to allow the docking of gundogs in the vote that will be taking place during the passage of the Animal Welfare Bill.
DO IT NOW! It is likely that a decision on docking will be made by the House of Commons before the end of February.
Find your MP by visiting http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/

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