Six Puppies and Us BBC2 documentary looks at dog ownership

Mmm about 4 weeks I think long time ago, She was a super Mum I bred her temprament out of this world, But atho I qualified her and took her to Crufts, Oh No your not getting me on that lark, after trailing all down to Earl Court in the snow.
That was when she point blank refused to leave her crate and turned her back on me.
Decided to have a litter instead when she produced Dumpling and his siblings, Every cloud has its silver lining

 

I didn't watch the program, but I can imagine it would have been annoying. There's no commercial value in showing programs that don't wind people up.

But I can imagine the kind of people they showed. I think it all boils down to one very common very simple misunderstanding. Dogs are not humans. Nor are they cartoon characters or fluffy toys. If everyone understood these points, then there's be no problems.

I could tell so many stories, but it would make for too long a post, so I'll just give a couple of brief examples.

A friend of mine used to house share with a couple who thought it would be nice to have a pet dog. That poor dog didn't get walked out by its owners once. They would simply let it into their tiny yard to go to the loo, then argue for hours over who was going to clean up the poo in the yard. My mate used to walk it every time he had time, which was not every day. When he left that house, he tried to take the dog with him but the owners wouldn't let him.

In another, possibly worse example, when I was a kid there was a family a couple of streets away that never walked their dog, and never cleaned their yard. It stank. One fateful day their kitchen caught fire. A proper blaze. Thankfully nobody was harmed (including the dog) but the event was the talk of the town for weeks. Not because of the fire itself, but because several witnesses had gathered to watch (as they do) and the fire fighters, having had to run through the yard with their equipment to extinguish the fire, emerged afterwards with dog poo splattered right up the backs of their legs, such was the state of the yard. I think the fire brigade reported the situation to the RSPCA because their dog was taken away afterwards.

Back in the late 1970s I remember you had to have a license to keep a dog. I remember my parents having to go to the police station once a year to renew ours. Shame that got abolished. Some people are simply not fit to keep animals.

 

IMO you should still have to have a license to keep a dog,I'd be more than willing to pay.It should also be a reasonable sum.If people really want dogs bad enough they'll pay the price instead of just getting them on a whim .Sadly in this day and age I guess it would be difficult to police.

 

Look great

Now thats what you call a posh door excluder , I wonder how times you had to put them back on ?

 

I have a strategy for that.

When we decide whether or not to do something, without necessarily even thinking about it or realising we're doing it, we weigh up the perceived risks and rewards. That bit is human nature. Possible animal nature in general. So if there is little chance of getting caught for violating a particular law, the punishment should be greater, so that although the risk of getting law is low, the consequences are severe enough to still make you think twice. This could apply to lots of things. For example the risk of getting caught using a mobile phone when driving is very, very low, and if you do get caught, its something like a £30 fine and 3 points on your license, so the total risk is negligible. But back to the specifics of dog licencing, how about if you get caught out, say because one person makes a complaint about your dogs barking or fouling the pavement or about an owner being negligent and/or abusive in any way, then the first thing the coppers and/or RSPCA check is if the owner is licensed. If they are not, then even if no other offence is found to have been committed, then its an instant minimum £1000 fine for first offence. You get fined about that much for not having a TV license, and no people or animals actually suffer for that, so if its ok for TV license violations, it should be ok to be so strict when an animal's welfare is at stake.

 

There was just one trouble maker, I put her back double quick before the others followed her, I have another picture some where, with her in mid flight....The very old ones used to sit and watch.

 

I want a scanner as I dont have any off mine on the PC i did have a picture of Harvey in work but had to remove it !!! and I cant find it anymore , yes more photos , I suppose they should be on the pet thread , if I have any more and I will in the future I do like French Bulldogs and Boston terriers and Japanese Spits , Gordon Setters , Borzoi are a big favorite of mine as well the problem is too many to choose from, red rough coated Brussels Griffon, plus my mate Linda shows poms.

Spruce

 

I can remember well the days of the dog licence, it cost 37 1/2 pence I think.
Bought it at the post office.
To be truthful I dont think many people paid it.

I can also remember stray dogs wandering the streets, often in small packs, it was common place.
Dont see it nowdays.

 

Microchipping for all dogs and puppies will be compulsory from April 2016 in England and Wales

 

M what happens if not ? and who will check ?

 

Police and local authority are tasked with checking. If a dog is not chipped and the keeper is located, they will be given time to get it done. If they still do not comply they face a fine (I *think* of around £500).

 

Dog licences are still a legal requirement here and owners are issued with a tag that has a serial number on it, this has to be attached to the collar. If the dog is found loose it will be traced by the number and owners will be fined.

 

Never had any dog of mine get into the hands of the police or the authorities, neither do most people, so I cant see it working.
But I suppose it might just raise a bit of cash for those poor money strapped vets, and of course the odd fine here and there.
But then again, how are they going to find the owner to fine, if the dog is not chipped.
Will probably stop owners coming forward, so more dogs for the charities to look after.

Not being funny, but I think this should also apply to cats, but even more so, as they roam a lot more.

 

I agree it should be applied to cats. All three of mine are microchipped and i would have no problem having to have a licence

I would have a problem tho of cats were expected to wear collars and have tags. One of mine takes the collar off straight away within a minute. Shes mastered the art of it. So that would be no good.

 

I cant see the point of a licence for anything short of a lion.