Panorama or Petorama?
Next Monday, BBC1 8.30pm.
We all know it's happening, but now the rest of the world is going to find out, too. Pounds up and down the country are full to bursting with Staffies no one wants, yet still people breed more and more.
Another disturbing programme to watch.
Britain's Unwanted Pets
Last year saw a big increase in the numbers of stray dogs recorded as being picked up in the UK. Tom Heap discovers that many of the unwanted dogs in pounds and rescues are Staffordshire bull terrier types - and asks why so many of them are being let go and destroyed.
Has the fashion for aggressive looking 'status' dogs contributed to the numbers of abandoned pets the authorities are now having to deal with? Panorama has gained access to one of the most famous animal rescues in the world, Battersea Dogs Home, and reveals the shocking truth of the numbers of dogs it is having to put to sleep.
We all know it's happening, but now the rest of the world is going to find out, too. Pounds up and down the country are full to bursting with Staffies no one wants, yet still people breed more and more.
Another disturbing programme to watch.
Comments
p.s. could you retweet an iPlayer link after the show, for us forgetful types?
These decisions are only made for behaviour or temperament reasons, NEVER due to space or because there are too many staffies.
I think the main thing to focus on is that this lovely breed actually make fantastic family pets and that Battersea is a brilliant charity to go and get a friendly, sociable staffie from.
People need to be aware of the problems caused by irresponsible breeding/ownership and then move on to promoting the good things about these gorgeous dogs.
I have spent a few years working at Battersea and have also worked at other animal welfare charities, but Battersea remains my favourite.
I've just done an analysis of our charity clinic's statistics for June and was startled to find a 44% increase in the number of dogs we saw compared to June 2008 (16% increase on June 2009).
There was a corresponding increase for cats, but it was much smaller (14% increase on June 2008).
I would guess that there's a combination effect of people having less money and vet fees having increased and it probably has a disproportionate effect on those groups who tend to have staffies and staffie crosses.
The problem is that so many rescues are "full to bursting with so many Staffies no-one wants" that it leaves no spaces for other breeds/types, so unless the poor unwanted Staffies are put to sleep no other dogs would be found homes.
I wonder if Panorama has done secret filming like the "It shouldn't happen at a Vets'"
I just don't know where it will all end....:(
It's not always all about you! Does it really matter whether or not the Staffies being culled have KC registration or not? Yes it's possibly of regret that you're not making dosh out of ALL of yjose bred - it is after all only the 6th most popular breed you register.
And does the life have a different value if they're 3/4 Staffies, or .666% Staffie...?
These are just dogs being routinely slaughtered after being terribly over-produced.
As a KC obsessive you may feel your conscience clear that you have done EVERYTHING you can to prevent this terrible waste of lives, but I am sure there's more all of us can do to stop this.
The Universal Puppy Contract would a very good place to start so that breeding does just mean pound signs - it means a consequence.
Watch the show Anony-mouse. Don't think any real dog lovers have any cause for complacency.
They are not just a victim of fashion in terms of status, but of temperament. They are a good size, not too small or large and despite news coverage, have the reputation of being very good family pets and love people. It's not just being bred to be aggressive, but a complete lack of knowledge and effort to socialise them at all with other dogs. I have known some fantastic well adjusted staffs that have nothing to do with the kc.
If we are so over-run with this breed, why keep producing them - and by that I mean everyone!
The next problem dog will be the american bulldog who are growing in popularity and for the same reasons - status!
The blogs aren't exactly private or "anonymous" are they. Some people have the guts to say what they think openly, rather than hiding their ID!!