Littery review
Was tipped off about this TV programme...This Thursday, BBC2 9.45 Wonderland.
Here's some info from the BBC site:
Seven puppies are born to a first-time mother called Uggs in a cramped front room in East London. These aren't just cute and cuddly puppies - they are Staffordshire Bull Terrier crosses, the dogs the tabloids sometimes call 'devil dogs'. They are both one of the most sought-after breeds in the country, and perversely the most frequently abandoned. One in three of Battersea Dogs Home's total intake is a Staffie cross.
This film follows the fate of Uggs' puppies as her owner tries to find new homes for them at 300 pounds a pup. It isn't long before boon turns to burden, however, as Uggs' owner realises the puppies are costing her more in food and care than she can ever make from the sales.
Introducing Uggs' owner and the new Staffie pup owners, this film uncovers the lives of the people from a marginalised section of society, who may mistrust other humans, but have a genuine love of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Comments
Thanks for pointing this programme out. I will be watching with interest.
It's sad that the breeder said she'd never again produce another Xmas litter - rather than saying she'd never again produce another litter! She seemed to think it was the time of the year that was wrong, not the fact that too many Staffies are being produced.
Too depressing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/homepage/
I basically said what was the programme all about, what was its purpose?
I said it was stereotyping Staffords & the people in that area of London. I felt they were in fact sneering at these dog owners who know no other way of life.
I finished by suggesting they produce a follow up programme of Staffords being bred & raised by responsible breeders, who do all the health tests & of the people who buy their pups for show or pets & socialise them & innoculate them & so on to let the public know not all Staffords & their owners are the same.
Strange how many people on different dog forums are outraged but won't go to the trouble of emailing.........!
I don't doubt she loves the dog, but even at the end, she didn't say she was going to get her speyed. My Mum told me this, as I had switch over by then.
It should have been entitled Backyard Breeders; A year in the life. In fact a good could come out of it, by wonderland or Jemima Harrison, doing a series of follow ups hilighting, the darker side of this trade and linking in with the "Battery Farmed" dogs and the truth behind the pet shop industry.Then showing how to go about choosing the right type of dog, and then finding the perfect dog. How to find a good breeder and all the different rescues, that are out there. I protest monthly outside a Pet Store, in Leeds, which was recently exposed on Channel 5 and Sky news, for trading in this miserable practice.
Maybe then the public will take on board. What it takes to have a happy, healthy and well socialised puppy. That will enrich their family for many years to come Now that would be a show worth watching.
"Thanks for your e-mail regarding the 12 November edition of 'Wonderland'.
We understand that you felt the portrayal of Staffordshire Bull Terriers was unfairly negative.
We raised your concerns with the Executive Producer of 'Wonderland' who has replied:
"The film was an honest attempt to follow what happened to a litter of Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross puppies and the people who bought them in an area of London known for its large population of these dogs. Jacqui, the woman at the centre of the film with the litter of puppies is a responsible owner who cares about the dogs. She wanted to make money from breeding, but she was also bothered about finding decent homes for them. She goes to collect the one dog that has not been vaccinated to make sure it is given to a new owner who will ensure that it is vaccinated.
Once we had elected to follow Jacqui, we gave an honest account of what happened to her puppies. The truth is that they go to very different kinds of people.
One woman in the film does like the fact that Staffies are muscular and look tough, and that's what makes them attractive to her. Another wants a Staffie to play with her two sons whose father has died, and believes the children will benefit from having a lovable dog in the home. The film shows the boys playing with the puppy.
The only owner who does not treat his dog properly (omitting to get his dog vaccinated) is thrown out of his own home, and we make it clear that a new home is found for the puppy and that it is vaccinated.
The commentary does describe the Staffie as "fierce-looking", but it does not describe them as "aggressive".
Although the term Staffie is used through the course of the film, at the start it is made very clear in the commentary that Uggs (the mother dog) is a Staffie cross."
We'd also like to assure you that we've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.
The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
Regards
BBC Complaints"
WHAT! a responsible breeder... ...do they really think her "being bothered
about finding them decent homes" constitutes a responsible breeder? As I recall most of them went to her friends or family.
When someone emailed from abroad asking about the hereditary health tests she hadn't a clue what he was talking about.
Are the producers of 7 dogs for 7 people seriously deluded....or just making sensationalist films.
All the more reason they need putting right about what constitutes a responsible breeder. They need to do a follow-up showing the other side of the coin.