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Hills withdraw from crufts


Sarah

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Hills Pet Food are the latest firm to deal Crufts a blow by announcing they are withdrawing their principle sponsorship of the event.

The decision comes on the back of high profile withdrawals from the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, NDWA and last weeks announcement that long time Crufts associate Pedigree are also withdrawing their sponsorship of the event.

The Kennel Club chairman Ronnie Irving has issued a statement reassuring show enthusiasts that Crufts 2009 will go ahead as planned despite the withdrawals.

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PDSA Latest to Suspend Involvement With Kennel Club

We welcome and support recent progress but evidence of real change is needed says charity

The UKs leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is suspending its involvement in Kennel Club dog shows and events, including Crufts. The charity, which provides free veterinary care for the pets of people in need, has participated in these events for over 30 years.

After lengthy consideration PDSA reached its decision based on the evidence of health issues affecting some pedigree dog breeds. Despite its withdrawal from forthcoming events, the charity stresses its commitment to working with the Kennel Club and with the veterinary profession, welfare organisations and other interested parties to bring about health improvements.

PDSA currently employs nearly one thousand veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and support staff at its 47 PetAid hospitals and branches across the UK. They are faced by the consequences of unacceptable dog breeding practices on a daily basis. These include serious health issues brought about by inherited conditions and through compliance to breed standards.

PDSA Director of Veterinary Services, Richard Hooker, said: We believe change is needed in the way pedigree dogs are bred. Specifically, breeding should put the dogs quality of life before appearance and this must be reflected in the show ring.

Our decision reflects the weight of opinion within our charity and among our supporters. It is consistent with our Long Live Pets campaign and sends a clear message that pedigree dog breeding needs urgent review.

Mr Hooker added: We welcome the Kennel Clubs recent efforts to improve the health status of pedigree dogs and will support these with our input and expertise wherever possible. We believe that our position is entirely consistent with that of the veterinary profession, including the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

PDSA will require evidence that real and sufficient progress is made in the quality of life for dogs before reconsidering todays decision. While we acknowledge that most dog breeders do observe good standards, this step will help to send a very clear message to all: that the initiatives undertaken by the Kennel Club to work towards improving the health status of pedigree dogs must be taken on board, through their agreement to revised breed standards.

Solving health problems in certain pedigree breeds means addressing public demand as well as breed supply issues, added Richard Hooker: The information available to dog owners and prospective owners is critical. If members of the public only want dogs that are healthy and responsibly bred, then undesirable practices will cease. That is why PDSA is committed to delivering good public information and education.

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"PDSA Director of Veterinary Services, Richard Hooker, said: “We believe change is needed in the way pedigree dogs are bred. Specifically, breeding should put the dogs’ quality of life before appearance and this must be reflected in the show ring."

Couldn't agree more

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Parliamentary Working Group to Investigate Pedigree Dogs Welfare

The Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare is forming a working group on the welfare of pedigree dogs following the controversial BBC documentary shown in August ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed.’ The documentary highlighted the serious issues arising from genetic diseases owing to decades of inbreeding which has affected show dogs and domestic pets.

Eric Martlew MP, Chairman of APGAW stated;

“I’m delighted that the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare has decided to

respond positively to the issues raised by the documentary and welfare organisations. It is extremely important that we establish what health and welfare implications there are on pedigree dogs bred to certain set standards and then have informed and considered recommendations in place to ensure their future welfare which can be presented in a report to the Secretary of State.

I’m really pleased that this working group is supported by all the APGAW officers, who are cross-party politicians and will have the opportunity to bring their views to the table. I hope that anyone with an interest in this issue will get in contact with the Working Group so that we can hear from as wide a cross-section of society as possible.”

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