The dog rental services springing up in the U.S. are causing concern in the U.K. because they believe that passing a dog from one home to another could traumatize to the animal, leaving it with no routine. I don’t know about you but I want my OWN dog, not a community one.
Read the full story…Rent A Dog A Good Idea?
In Whitworth, UK, the local council is trying to get a £25 levy passed that would tax all dog owners in order to deal with the growing problem of irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their dogs.
It doesn’t seem fair that all dog owners should be taxed and there has been a mixed response, but Whitworth has been described as ‘the dog dirt capital of the North West.’ The city used to use money from dog licenses but now all dogs are microchipped. The extra revenue would be used to pay for more animal control officers to enforce responsibility.
Is it fair? What do you think?
Comedian and actor Dane Cook is an irresponsible dog owner (alledgedly). He doesn’t pick up after his dog (neither does his girlfriend) - according to his neighbors.
His neighbors are very upset with him and he’s received 3 notices warning him that he’ll be evicted from his apartment. His neighbors even claim to have him on video & his landlord has filed a complaint in court. Of course Dane denies the charges.
A dog rental service that started in San Diego, California has opened a location in New York City. FlexPetz rents dogs by the day to people who can’t have dogs full time for various reasons. The dogs have all been rescued from local animal shelters.
Membership is not cheap. A monthly membership, which includes four one-day rentals, costs $279.95. Additional rentals cost $45 for a day, or part of a day - with weekends even higher.
The Chicago Canine Academy has a one of a kind pilot program where they take anti-social dogs and teach them to be social and obedient. Not surprisingly, Pit bulls are their biggest clients.
The academy’s owner says that most people should not own pit bulls, especially without training. Because of the dogs naturally aggressive demeanor, he’s trying to cast Pit bulls in a different, more positive light.
See more on the story and watch the video here…
It seems that the allure of the Staffordshire bull terrier (aka pit bull) has worn off in London, England. Hundreds of the dogs have been abandoned in Greenwich and several other cities around London.
Apparently the dogs were seen as a fashion statement and when the fad was over, there went the dog. And the reputation of the pit bull probably didn’t help matters. Dog are not disposable like last season’s shoes. That’s why it’s so important to think long and hard before you rush out and get a dog.
Speaking of aggressive dogs…
There’s a dog sanctuary in the UK that is home to unwanted dogs - many fall into the dangerous breed category, like pit bulls and rottweilers. The dogs at the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary generally end up here for severe aggression problems including mauling people and even death of other animals.
The fierce breeds are generally owned by “the moron brigade”, which buys them for their perceived dangerous qualities. A dog’s behavior is shaped by the owner. Irresponsible owners equal dangerous dogs unfortunately. Dogs need obedience training, they need to understand who is the “Boss” (the Alpha leader), especially notoriously aggressive breeds. Otherwise, you’re walking around with a ticking timebomb.
Read more about the animal sanctuary & watch the video here…
In Jackson County, KY, a third suspect who was charged with 115 counts of animal abuse has turned herself in. She had over 100 dogs living in filth and animal control found over 40 of the dogs dead. The woman’s husband and friend were arrested earlier.
No word yet on why she had so many dogs. Were they running a “puppy mill” perhaps?
Watch the story here...
Hospitals in England are seeing a sharp rise in dog bite patients - a 40% increase in the last 4 years.
The figures follow a series of widely publicized attacks on children. During the 4 year period, the number of patients under 18 treated for dog bites in London more than doubled, and in the West Midlands region it rose by 80%.
London where the increase in dog attacks has been the greatest, the Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police, RSPCA and Battersea Dogs’ Home are launching a campaign on responsible dog ownership.
Read more about the story here…
A Toronto, Canada dog that bit a man and his small dog in September was put down earlier this week. The animal control officials deemed Munchie the dog a pit bull and thus a danger to society - despite the pleas of the owner to the contrary. The owners says the dog is a mutt (a mixed breed) and not a pit bull. The officials believed the dog would be a problem if not put down.
The dog’s two co-owners said they spent more than $15,000 trying to save Munchie’s life.
Take a look at Munchie here and you decide if he’s a Pit Bull or not…
This is why responsible dog ownership is so important. Dog ownership involves much more than just possessing one. If you haven’t obedience trained your dog and allow it to be off leash and it bites someone, you are responsible for the actions of your dog and the consequences thereof.
Now that a Beagle has won the Westminster Dog Show, that usually signals a rush on the breed. Beagles are great dogs, but one big problem many Beagle owners face is excessive barking!
A friend of mine had a Beagle that when she left, barked all day, every day. And his deep bark sounded like someone was being murdered (he died many years ago). Needless to say, the cops were called to her home often.
Think twice and do thorough research before you rush out to get the latest “it” dog. Neglecting to do that leads to beautiful dogs ending up in the local animal shelters. Consider this - Dalmations were quite popular when “101 Dalmations” came out in theaters. They were also big residents of animal shelters nationwide about 9-12 months later.
Read more about Beagle’s temperaments here…
