Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th September 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Petition to ban leaving dogs in hot cars
otis
Claire Grundy launched OtisLaw2015 - a campaign named after her own rescue Labrador.

Frustration over lack of prosecutions prompts call for change
 
A shopping centre manager is calling for a ban on leaving dogs in hot cars, after repeatedly seeing animals put at risk in the store car park.

Claire Grundy is operations manager at Birchwood Shopping Centre in Warrington, Cheshire.

She says: "There isn't a week that goes by where we don't have a report of a dog locked in a hot vehicle, or a team of staff trying to locate the owner to return to their vehicle."

Staff at the shopping centre are "saddened and frustrated" by the number of people who leave their dogs in hot cars, and the lack of action taken against irresponsible owners. This is despite annual awareness campaigns run by charities such as the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust.

Claire says: "The police attend the scene and speak to the owner about their irresponsibility, however, this is the limitation of police powers on the matter."

Police action is only taken under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if the animal dies as a result of being left in a car, she adds.

Frustration at the lack of a clearly defined law prompted her to take action and launch OtisLaw2015 - a campaign named after her own rescue Labrador.

The campaign is calling for a change to the Animal Welfare Act, making it illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal by leaving it unattended in a hot vehicle long enough to cause them discomfort.

Initially, the petition was launched on Change.org and received 13,000 signatures. Since then, the government has reopened its petition committee and the e-petition has had to start from scratch on the official government site.

So far, it has over 1,700 signatures, but if the issue is to be debated in parliament, the petition needs 100,000 signatures by February 2016.

The campaign is gaining momentum online, gathering support from a number of celebrities and coverage from regional news and radio stations across the north west.

Sign the government e-petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106636

Image courtesy of Claire Grundy

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Survey launched to investigate EHV

News Story 1
 Zoetis has launched a new survey to identify management techniques for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).

EHV is a contagious, airborne virus that can cause respiratory problems and severe diseases in horses and ponies. It spreads among horses over short distances, direct contact and through shared equipment.

The survey will explore current knowledge and management practices with EHV in the UK. It is quick to complete and participants could win one of 10 equine first aid kits.

Complete the survey here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
WSAVA launches pet travel guidance factsheet

A new pet travel guidance factsheet for veterinary professionals and caregivers has been developed by the WSAVA in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association.

The Dog and Cat Welfare During Transport factsheet provides step-by-step guidance for all stages of a journey, from pre-travel checklists to post-travel care.

Brachycephalic breeds or animals prone to travel-related anxiety are given special focus in this guide, which also provides links to IATA container regulation and WSAVA vaccination guidelines.