Derby City Council has had to apologise after one of its employees told a woman to turn a dog out onto the street.
The woman, who found the stray after it wandered into a pet shop where she works, called the council after not being able to get through to the dog’s owners from the number on the dog’s collar.
The dog, a West Highland Terrier named Bella, has now been reunited with her owners.
The council employee had told the finder of the dog that council kennels were full.
They said: ‘There are no kennels for tonight, they’re all full, so either someone can take her in for the night or put her back on the street’.
“There was no way I was putting a stray dog on the street.
“Nobody in their right mind should put another living being on to the street and expect someone else to deal with it.”
City councillor Bob Troup apologised: “She should not have been told that. She should have been helped to find a place for the dog overnight.
“There is a problem in the summer - the number of stray dogs peaks because of children on school holidays playing with dogs and letting them get away.
“We are planning to get some more kennels in Derby to act as a holding kennel at peak times.”
Posted By Freelance Writers
Date: 2/08
Posted Under: Dog Articles
UNFAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT - PDSA urges owners to socialise puppies properly
Over one in three* dog bites are triggered by dogs being patted or stroked by a stranger, says leading veterinary charity PDSA. It recommends owners getting their puppy socialised as early as possible to stop them growing up to be a danger to themselves and to members of the public.
Sean Wensley, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, says: “The ‘socialisation period’ is a critical time in a puppy’s development, when the puppy learns how to interact with other dogs and people. This important time starts at about three weeks of age and ends at about 12 weeks. So, if you have just become a new puppy owner we strongly recommend that you see your vet for advice on socialisation as a priority.”
He continues: “An increasing number of veterinary practices hold puppy parties to allow your puppy to meet others in a safe environment while they’re still young. The more your puppy experiences other dogs, people, sights and sounds, the more relaxed and well adjusted they will become as adults.“ Without this, fear of the unknown can lead to aggression in later life.
Another key factor in raising a well-adjusted and well-behaved dog is training. Puppies have the greatest potential for learning, but it’s never too late to start training a dog.
PDSA produces a free Dog Training Leaflet which gives an introduction to the most useful commands and effective training techniques. This forms part of a range of leaflets on pet care topics including First Aid, Diet and Nutrition and Vaccinations. The leaflets are available from PDSA PetAid hospitals and charity shops nationwide. Further information can be obtained from www.pdsa.org.uk or by calling freephone 0800 917 2509.
Time to get familiar
Ten things your puppy should get used to
• A wide variety of friendly, vaccinated, dogs, such as those belonging to family members or friends.
• Young people and children (under supervision).
• Men and women of different ages.
• People of different ethnic groups.
• People using aids, such as wheelchairs, walking sticks and umbrellas.
• People in different types of clothes, e.g. hats and scarves.
• Household appliances, such as vacuum cleaner, washing machine (introduce gradually).
• Travelling in the car – beginning with short journeys to nice places.
• Being alone - gradually get them used to being left alone for increasing lengths of time, up to a couple of hours.
• The noise of thunder and fireworks. Commercially available CDs can help a puppy gradually get used to sounds like these.
*35.4% - Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Annual Review of Cases 2005
Extracts from K9 Magazine
