Did Anyone Watch Channel 4 Undercover Boss Last Night

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Dobiegirl

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The chief executive of the Blue Cross animal charity went undercover to see what happens at grass roots.

I was amazed they were importing dogs from Ireland considering the problem we have here.

They were also trying to highlight the problem of the numbers of Staffies in rescue which is a good thing if they can make a difference. One of the possible solutions were to refuse vet. care to people with Staffies until they had them spayed/neutered.

What are your thoughts on this and what other solutions would you like to see implemented which could help Staffies in rescue.
 
I did.

Given the number of dogs and cats of all breeds in rescues, it seems reasonable to me that charities providing veterinary care should be doing something about cutting the levels of breeding. The suggestion by the staff was that people would have a certain number of chances, so it's not as if people would be being turned away out of hand. If someone is determined not to have their dog or cat neutered then they should be responsible for providing veterinary care at their own expense IMO, not using the resources of a charity that already has too many animals to rehome.

I would rather not comment on the Irish dog thing...!
 
I thought it was excellent for a "figures person" to see the problems at the grass roots end. Good thing I was`nt present unloading that confused looking Foxhound/Kerry Beagle girlie in Scotland..she would have been instantly swept away to Kent.Poor poor girlie!
As they have an almost nil chance in Eire I think it is good someone cares enough to offer a literal life line,wether it is right or wrong given our own problems..well pass on that one.
My personal "cause" is that EVERY puppy bred is identified by the person bringing into the world..and by the same token every breeder handles their own misfits and does not clutter up the various breed welfare schemes. A feasable alternative would be a £200 Donation/Fine for those breeders unable to do so for whatever reason.
That is the cost to our Welfare of admittance/vaccinating/ID and neutering, all of which we do ,as well as assessing, before we can even think of rehoming.Quite a barguin to buck their responsibilities I think!
 
I thought it was interesting, i didn't even realise blue cross had vet hospitals. That programme always makes me feel sorry for those who weren't featured but are just as deserving or more so than people they offer to mentor/fast-track promotion to.

I think its fair enough that dogs be neutured/spayed in exchange for free vet treatment unless their is a medical/sensible reason not to which vet agrees to, though perhaps they should look to expand it to all dogs & cats not just staffies. It would probably cut down those with low incomes using their dogs as cash cows & expecting charities to foot the vet bills for them.

Are the big charities that are taking in Irish dogs doing anything to raise awareness about the problem in Ireland or just rehoming?
 
There are some local rescues offering free neutering to bull breeds to try to help the issue. So, neuter before giving medical care for staffies?. ABSOLUTELY. And I speak as someone is a massive staffie fan and dabbles on the edge of staffie rescue. It has got so bad now that a lot of the cheaply bred staffies are no longer even recognised as staffs by rescues - they are called staffie x's, despite the fact that the back street breeders bleat on that they are "pure". Unless there is a very good medical reason for not doing it, then I would agree. Insist on it.
 
I recorded it and have just now finished watching it.
If someone wants free or even reduced vet care, then I absolutely agree that they be neutered/spayed as per vet advisory. As 2greys says, I'd love to see it extended to all dogs/cats and not just staffies.

Considering the time and cost especially with the problems we're having, I was amazed with the bringing rescues across from Ireland. I did say to OH, what about the amount of animals here needing help etc. but to see those poor dogs as they showed them, when transferring from one vehicle to another was heartbreaking.

It was interesting, with regards to Staffies, I really don't know what the answer is. I do wish more breeders could be held responsible (especially the back street ones that have no morals).
 
I agree with the spaying.

Should introduce licencing ,compulsary microchips andthe same responsibilty that the DVLA impose on car ownership. ie. If your animal registered to you causes an accident or is found in a neglected state, you are responsible and liable to prosicution.

A registration book and the law adapted to ensure that the registered keeper is updated will help with animal welfare and possibly make people think twice about taking on an animal that they can not afford of do not care about.
 
Re transporting dogs from Ireland....in my experience it makes some, not ALL, just some rescues, a bit lax about really fighting to educate people about neutering, not breeding and and rehoming.
One rescue I know is full to bursting, a waiting list full of stupid reasons also jam packed, and they are OK with it because they know they can send a few van-fulls to England if they are really stuck.
Another fight like tooth and nail, are constantly putting up pics from puppy farms, shouting from the rooftops about neutering vouchers, heavily highlighting the week's pound dogs who only have seven days to live, that sort of thing.
I know which ones I would rather support.
 
Battersea are actively working with Staffie Welfare to try to address the problem with the overbreeding of staffies. Actually one of the sad things is - a lot of these dogs now in rescues no longer actually look like the breed standard and if you wanted to rehome a "proper" staff you would struggle. I know there are many thoughts about breed standards and where there are clear examples of the breed being damaged, but in this instance we are talking basics in terms of height and character. I also like the idea of being licensed. I appreciate that some people will point out that the people who do care for their dogs will do it, those who shouldn't have a dog won;t - BUT if the onus is on the breeder to begin with (dog registration? license?) and the police could have the legal option to say, seize unregistered dogs at x weeks maybe that would have the impact of reducing original breed numbers? and if the police could seize a dog that is unregistered? I appreciate this could have an even worse impact on the rescues to begin with but it "might" help drive down overall numbers - particularly if the dog is legally registered to the first owner (and responsible) until the next owner has registered (I am thinking along the lines of how car registration works). Any thoughts?
 
True CC, while it helps those few its not ever going to change the situation if their not tackling to root of the problem.
 
I do think Licences would work, if every breeder had to register and all dogs microchipped. Fees from Licences would fund dog wardens whoever to stop any dog on the street and check for a microchip. Any dog not chipped to be seized and taken away from owner.

I do think there would be an influx in rescues but it might only be short term once the numpties realise buying from a back street breeder means your dog gets seized at some stage.

I think this could work for all breeds, I know it seems draconian but the situation we are in now will never improve unless someone gets this up and running.
 
In my personal opinion, only accreddited/licenced breeders should be allowed to have un-neutered dogs, all other dogs shoulf be spayed/castrated at the first opportunity.
Having them micro-chipped seems good, but is it really responible breeders that are breeding all the staffies or is it idiots looking for a "status" dog who wouldn't bother to micro-chip them anyway.
Most dogs have to visit the vet at some point. I have 4 dogs all are neutered, the dog walking/training service that I use actively encourages all the clients to get their dogs neutered.
 
Naryafluffy said:
Having them micro-chipped seems good, but is it really responible breeders that are breeding all the staffies or is it idiots looking for a "status" dog who wouldn't bother to micro-chip them anyway.
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I agree BUT what if the breeder legally had to register the dogs? or the police can seize? and ownership/responsibility stays until the license has been transferred over (as in my previous post.)
 
Seems many rescues get dogs from Ireland. Many tears often has Irish dogs, as did (doe not currently) the rescue I got Dex from
 
Or you have to obtain a license for a entire dog/bitch over the age of a six months stating your intentions IE breeding etc. ? ? ?

For example some people choose to keep their dogs entire for 18months-24months which of course is well into a fertile age. I don't intend to breed but I intend to keep my dog entire until hes at least 18months old, but I would happily go to the post office and apply for a license to do so.
 
Toffee44 said:
Or you have to obtain a license for a entire dog/bitch over the age of a six months stating your intentions IE breeding etc. ? ? ?

For example some people choose to keep their dogs entire for 18months-24months which of course is well into a fertile age. I don't intend to breed but I intend to keep my dog entire until hes at least 18months old, but I would happily go to the post office and apply for a license to do so.
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I don't think that would work - and the reason is that people like YOU! who do want the best for their dog/law abiding would do it. The lowlifes who are just after a quick buck won't bother. I think dog registration - at birth (with maybe a 2 week grace) as a legal requirement - say £ 5 or £10 would make a lot of people think twice with the license/responsiblity/fines staying with the breeder until the dog is registered in the new owners name. However what I don't know if a: is this enough b: who would manage this!
 
Does anyone else think that another thing that needs to be cracked down on is Puppy Farming and these centres that sell puppies, you should only be able to buy a puppy from an accreddited breeder not a supermarket where they have every flavour, if you're serious about getting a puppy of a specific breed you're willing to travel, my friend travelled from Linlithgow (just outside Edinburgh) to Cornwall to get her Munsterlander puppy (think I spelt it correct).
Us responsible dog owners probably already have our dogs microchipped, but I agree how would it be enforced, think about the number of dogs at a horse show, how would you check all them and then you've got all the other dogs.
 
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