RSPCA launches cruelty investigation after lurcher pictured struggling to keep up with vehicle doing laps of business park while occupants laughed.
A man sits in the back of a van holding the lead of a dog from a moving van on Fenton Industrial Estate in Stoke-on-Trent.
An animal welfare investigation has been launched after a dog was pictured being dragged behind a van as it was driven in circuits around an industrial estate.
The tan-coloured lurcher appeared to be struggling to keep up with the vehicle during what the RSPCA described as an “awful ordeal” in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
A member of the public took photos of the incident, on Tuesday evening, in which the dog was on a lead held by a man in a fluorescent jacket sitting in the back of the van with a door open.
The man who witnessed the scene and later reported it described hearing laughter from the vehicle’s occupants as it was driven in laps around the Fenton Industrial Estate at least three times.
The RSPCA said the incident, which happened in Spedding Road at about 6.30pm, was “appalling” and was likely to have left the dog’s feet “a painful mess”.
“These roads are tarmac surfaces and I’d imagine the dog’s feet would have been a painful mess after this awful ordeal”
RSPCA Inspector Charlotte Melvin
Animal welfare officers have now launched a public appeal for information to trace those involved.
Inspector Charlotte Melvin said: “The caller told us he had seen the van circling the industrial estate three times with a dog being dragged behind, and that the people inside the vehicle were laughing.
“These roads are tarmac surfaces and I’d imagine the dog’s feet would have been a painful mess after this awful ordeal.
“The back doors of the van were open and someone was sat in the back with the dog on a lead running behind. The dog looked exhausted.”
Insp Melvin added: “I’d appeal to anyone who lives or works nearby to keep their eyes peeled and, if they see a similar incident, or if they know who may have been responsible, to call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
“This is an appalling incident and I’d be interested to hear from anyone who might recognise the dog, the people or the van.”
Dog thieves should be slapped with harsher sentences due to the emotional trauma suffered by owners, a Conservative MP will argue.
An MP is to call for harsher sentences for dog thieves
An MP is to call for harsher punishments for dog thieves Credit: PA
Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford, has said the justice system should focus more on the effect on families whose pets are stolen, instead of focusing primarily on the cash impact.
He will today lead a debate in Parliament highlighting problems in the way such crimes are reported, and the sentencing of offenders – insisting that there is a need to disrupt criminal gangs who target family pets.
Whilst microchipping will go some way to help prevent theft, there is still an under-reporting of dog theft and there is a need to clampdown on the criminal gangs who steal family pets.
This can only be done if offences are properly reported and recorded and the sentences given by the courts reflect the seriousness of the offence.
– GARETH JOHNSON MP
Four Paws, Fun Dog Agility. New classes starting at Broadstone War Memorial Hall.
For more information and to book a place please contact me on my mobile 07545768410 or message me via my Facebook page or Website.
It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and meet other dog owners.
There will be tea and coffee included. So come along and join the fun!
Dog Tip for Today. Suspected poisoning.
Always consult a Veterinary Professional, if possible giving them the packaging/sample of plant/full details of the poison.
Dogs Dewclaws, should we remove them?
“Do the Dew” …should we or shouldn’t we? M. Christine Zink DVM certainly gives food for thought in her articles, but she’s not talking about that well known bright yellow soft drink, instead she’s talking about dewclaws and the fairly common practice of removing these. Dr. Zink exposes us to her concern about the long term ramifications that may occur from foreleg dewclaw removal, the possibility of injury or disease (carpal arthritis).
Quite frankly I’ve always removed the dewclaws from puppies in my litters, and I haven’t really given much thought to the practice. I’d always been told that the dewclaw served no purpose, and that when working in the field, the dewclaw could be a source of injury if caught on a branch or bramble. So, I simply had them (the dewclaw that is) lopped off at my earliest convenience within a day or so of the puppy’s birth. I do remember being told that it wasn’t a good idea for an amateur like me to nip those claws off myself, as if done wrong, one could damage the tendons in the dog’s foreleg causing lameness or a limp, so I always asked my vet to perform this simple procedure. Well, those tendons attached to the dewclaw that I just mention, that’s what lead me to share these articles with you today, articles by Dr. Zink that offer a different opinion about the function of the dewclaw and how injury or disease might result from their removal.
M. Christine Zink DVM, PhD, DACVSMR of Johns Hopkins University “When a dog runs, however, the entire foot from the carpus to the toes contacts the ground. If the dog then turns, it can dig the dewclaw (the equivalent of our thumb) into the ground to stabilize the leg and reduce torque on the rest of the leg.”
“Based on stop-action photographs, veterinarian M. Christine Zink of Johns Hopkins University believes that the entire front foot, including the dewclaws, contacts the ground while running. During running, the dewclaw digs into the ground preventing twisting or torque on the rest of the leg. Several tendons connect the front dewclaw to muscles in the lower leg, further demonstrating the front dewclaws’ functionality. There are indications that dogs without dewclaws have more foot injuries and are more prone to arthritis. Zink recommends “for working dogs it is best for the dewclaws not to be amputated. If the dewclaw does suffer a traumatic injury, the problem can be dealt with at that time, including amputation if needed.”[1]
To gain a full understanding of Zink’s position regarding the dewclaw’s purpose and any injury that may result from their removal read through links I’ve provided to her articles. Click the bold type link to open and read each in full. You’ll also find I’ve included a few excerpts if you’re looking for a quick Reader’s Digest version.
Dewclaw Explanation
“I have seen many dogs now, especially field trial/hunt test and agility dogs, that have had chronic carpal arthritis… Of the over 30 dogs I have seen with carpal arthritis, only one had dewclaws.”
“…there are 5 tendons attached to the dewclaw… at the other end of a tendon is a muscle, and that means that if you cut off the dew claws, there are 5 muscle bundles that will become atrophied from disuse.”
“Those muscles indicate that the dewclaws have a function… to prevent torque on the leg. Each time the foot lands on the ground, particularly when the dog is cantering or galloping the dewclaw is in touch with the ground. If the dog then needs to turn, the dewclaw digs into the ground to support the lower leg and prevent torque. If the dog doesn’t have a dewclaw, the leg twists. A life time of that and the result can be carpal arthritis, or perhaps injuries to other joints, such as the elbow, shoulder and toes.”
“As to the possibility of injuries to dew claws. Most veterinarians will say that such injuries actually are not very common at all.”
Canine Athletes & Working Dogs
I haven’t decided whether to make any change to my practice of removing dewclaws. Whether to “do the dew” or not is still in question for me, and I’m not here to give you my advice, or to assert that you change what you do, what I did want was to simply share this information with you and then to ask whether you have any thoughts, questions or practices that you’d like share about dewclaw removal through the comment section?
I did find this funny tidbit on Physchology Today in an article written by Stanley Coren: “There is an interesting bit of folklore that keeps some people from removing the dewclaws of their dogs. In the southern states in America there is a common belief that dogs that are born with dewclaws on their hind feet (which is somewhat rare) have a natural immunity to the venomous effects of snake bites as long as the dewclaws remain intact. Once, when I was in South Carolina, an old man brought out a favorite hound of his and showed me the dewclaws on her back legs. He explained to me, “She’s been snakebit more’en one time, but she’s still here ‘cause them dewclaws sucked up the poison.”
well…there are rattlesnakes here in AZ and we are in the south so…
Sally Gift, Mesa AZ
Here is Archie in his bed at home, looking very pleased with himself. We had just returned from our dog walk, exploring the Poor Common at Longham, nr Wimborne. Having the sun shining made it particularly nice.
Welcome back Archie. I missed you!
Studland Stomp (Dorset)
13th Mar 2016 13:00
Get stomping to support our animals.
Come along with your dogs, or with friends and family, or even just come on your own. Our Studland Stomp provides a fantastic opportunity to meet new people (and new dogs) and it’s also a great chance to meet some of our lovely rescue dogs who’ll be joining the walk.
The stroll is approximately 5 miles along the beautiful Studland Beach. We will meet at the National Trust Knoll Beach car park at 12.45pm ready to leave at 1pm. We will then walk alongside the sea and back through the heathlands and dunes.
On our return to the car park, we will descend upon the café and treat ourselves to some well-deserved afternoon tea!
This is our fourth Studland Stomp and after the success of previous events, we are keen to continue these walks and get even more people involved. Walking is a great way to keep yourself and your pet happy and healthy.
Sponsorship forms are available to download or alternatively, please feel free to turn up and donate on the day.
Lambing Season. Please walk your dog responsibly.
Keep to Footpaths.
Keep Dogs on leads.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Pre-registered walkers with a dog will be presented with a limited edition Great British Dog Walk bandana.
Join us for The Great British Dog Walk at 19 beautiful National Trust sites across the UK. Fun for all the family – and kids and dogs go free!
great
Only two weeks until the Great British Dog Walk 2016 starts!
We’ll be holding walks across the UK at 20 stunning The National Trust locations.
Find your nearest walk here >> http://www.greatbritishdogwalk.org
Choose your walk
All routes are approximately 3km and 8km. Purchase your tickets online to save £2 per ticket!
Scotland
Haddo House and Country Park
Aberdeenshire16 April 2016
Pollok Country Park
Glasgow01 May 2016
Hill of Tarvit
Fife05 June 2016
North East
Gibside
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear12 March 2016
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Ripon, Yorkshire07 May 2016
North West
Lyme Park
Stockport, Cheshire20 March 2016
Midlands
Croome Court
Worcester20 March 2016
Kedleston Hall
Derby10 April 2016
East
Wimpole Hall
Arrington, Cambridgeshire01 May 2016
Ickworth Park
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk22 May 2016
Wales
Rhossili
Swansea02 April 2016
South East
Sheffield Park
Uckfield, East Sussex13 March 2016
East Head
West Wittering10 April 2016
Hughenden Manor
High Wycombe17 April 2016
Stowe
Buckingham, Bucks15 May 2016
Osterley Park and House
West London04 June 2016
Foxbury Common
New Forest: Near West Wellow22 May 2016
South West
Killerton House
Exeter07 May 2016
Northern Ireland
Minnowburn and Lagan Valley
Belfast14 May 2016
Margaret Green Animal Rescue.
Free Micro Chipping For Dogs (Dorset)
25th Feb 2016 11:00 – 15:00
We are offering free micro chipping for your dog in conjunction with Purbeck Council at UPTON COMMUNITY CENTRE CAR PARK between 11am and 3pm on Thursday 25th February 2016.
Free Micro Chipping For Dogs (Dorset)
6th Mar 2016 10:00 – 15:00
We are offering free micro chipping for your dog in conjunction with Bournemouth Council at SLADES FARM, BOURNEMOUTH between 10am and 3pm on Sunday 6th March 2016.
Free Micro Chipping For Dogs (Dorset)
2nd Apr 2016 10:00 – 15:00
We are offering free micro chipping for your dog at Pampurred Pets, next to Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, DT3 6AD between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 2nd April 2016.
