General Chat

Roxanne-nice one! x i think that all pets should be more difficult to get, i think you should (in a perfect world) have to pass a test and do a basic animal care course before you can take on any animal, and when that animal dies have to retake the test before getting another. the harder it is for people to get a pet the better in my eyes, there are too many unwanted and badly treated animals out there. I'm sorry to say, i also don't agree with all these 'pedigree' breaders, banging out puppies for a couple of hundred pounds each, disgusting! oh, and leaving dogs in cars-even on a clouded but warm day it only takes ten minutes for your dog to dehidrate, even if you leave the window down.. the rspca can prosicute anyone who leaves their pets in these conditions! x

I certainly would smash a window to save a child, dog, cat, or anything suffering from the heat. How about if a small child was left in a hot car does the same law apply about smashing a window? If that is the law it is scandalous. Elizabeth

When I had my Alsatian Judy we travelled everywhere in a Morris half-ton van. She would sit in the passenger seat. As soon as I parked and got out she would move over to the driver's seat, put her paws on the opened window and pull it right down. Then she would jump out, check the area and jump back in. I always had to remember to park with the driver's side next to the pavement. It really sickens me to hear about people who treat their pets like belongings with no thought for their welfare.

Yes you would probably get in a whole heap of trouble for smashing a window to save a dog - but I would do it. It's one of those situations where the end justifies the means! They could take me away and arrest me, but at least the dog would be alive. Good on you Roxanne - nice to see someone who is prepared to speak up for our four legged friends! Kaye x

I'm glad you did something about it Roxanne, hope more people will get involved and report this kind of thing when they see it happening It seems that the supermarket did put out a plea for the car owner, but it was too late. Not sure how you would stand if you were to break the car window, I expect it could be a legal nightmare, especially as in theory the car is on private property in a supermaket car park, or so I beleive

Kaye There are some pics of my little fella on the photos page http://groups.msn(.)com/gcphotospage (remember to remove brackets). A friend of ours always has German Shepherds and they've all had that hip problem, such a shame. But at least they - and yours - have happy homes. Jacq I know! I was very surprised - and in fact, it wasn't just the breeder from whom we got Alfie, I asked another breeder too (she had sold all her pups) and she said that she doesn't ask for references either. I would be more than happy for someone to check us and our home, especially if it stopped irresponsible people from having pets. Mandy :)

Mandy....that really does suprise me about you not needing to give some sort of reference or be checked in some way....not everyone who is willing to pay a lot for a dog are necessarily the right people to own one. As to leaving dogs in cars, this is so bad.....when will people learn to treat dogs and other animals with a bit more respect. Jacquie xxxx

Mandy - he sounds really sweet, oh he must be tiny? I love the name 'Alfie' - sure it will suit him. I have two big dogs - a Golden Retriver (called Bonnie) and a German Shepherd (called Storm) - they are my babies!! lol I do agree that it would be difficult to enforce dog licences, but surely it could be done in connection with the 'Micro Chips' many dogs have. Maybe these should be compulsory - most responsible owners would welcome this I'm sure. Although difficult to enforce surely it would help - be a step in the right direction? I think another problem is rougue breeders - when we got Bonnie we found out from the Vet that her breeder was the closest thing to a Puppy Farm in our area! I guess she was one of the lucky ones - dogs like that can end up with anybody so long as the breeder gets their money. A lot of people breed their own pets (often seeing pound signs) - this is how we got our German Shepherd Storm. These people are often the worst - they just don't have all the information to be responsible breeders. Storm was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia at 4 months old! It was so bad that he already had Arthritis in one hip! He is missing a toe on one foot, his ears don't stand up and when he was having X-rays for his hips, they discovered that one of his testicles hadn't dropped and had to be removed before it turned cancerous - all these problems amount to bad breeding! They don't matter to us because we love Storm to pieces and wouldn't change him for the world, but many other people would have had him put down! Something needs to be done to try and stop irresponsible breeders and owners alike. Kaye x

Kaye I'm having a Bichon Frise and pick him up on Sunday when he's 8 weeks old (chose him last weekend). He is called Alfie and we can't wait! Mandy :)

This confirms my suspicions, some people are thick.

Our dog is always left at home if it is too hot to take her with us, although she does sulk when we leave her.... However, she does love the sun and laps it up in the garden, and we have to keep bringing her in. I was surprised to read that there is no dog license in England any more. I pay 120 Euros a year and get given a dog tag with a number on it to be hung on the dogs collar. However, it has been stolen once I took the dog shopping with me. Came out of the shop to find the dog not tied up and the license tag and innoculation tag had been stolen. There are still a lot of people who try to get out of buying a dog license plus insurance for the dog. Elizabeth

Mandy and Kaye You both make interesting points about the 'vetting' of prospective owners I suspect that if dog licences were re introduced that there would be plenty of people who would find a way of avoiding getting one, so I'm not sure it is an answer. Sadly the cost of 'policing' the system would also be prohibitive. My current dog came from Battersea, she had been badly neglected by a previous owner. Not only was I interviewed in depth, my house was visited and Battersea made a follow up visit some weeks later to make sure all was well. I am also under an obligation to return the dog to Battersea if for some reason I am unable to carry on caring for her. Perhaps breeders should consider following suit, although in all fairness I think most breeders will take a dog back if problems do arise, and there are breed rescue centres about that rehome pedigree dogs x

We prefer to leave our dogs at home if we're off shopping or similar - especially when it's this hot. I think the problem is that it's too easy to get/have a dog these days - I think they should bring back the Dog Licence and make it reasonably expensive with a hefty fine if you're caught without one. It would be expensive for me with two dogs, but they're worth it - when you're a caring, loving dog owner money becomes irrelevant. I think the breeder had a point Mandy - most people won't shell out a lot of money if they aren't responsible dog owners, but I agree there needs to be some way of checking people. I believe the RSPCA and other homes go and vet peoples houses etc before they let them rehome a dog. Maybe we should all have to have similar checks before being allowed to purchase a dog. Mandy what sort of puppy did you get - have you even got it yet? Kaye x

That's terrible, what on earth possesses people to do this? I admit that something surprised me though ... you may have seen my thread about us getting our puppy this weekend. He is a pedigree and the breeder is registered with the Kennel Club, and we therefore assumed that we would need to supply some sort of reference to prove that we are responsible pet lovers. Apparently not ... they reckon that if you are willing to buy a relatively expensive dog, then you will look after your 'investment'! Obviously, we will never leave him in a hot car, in fact he will only be in the car when we are actually travelling. Mandy

I agree. YOu see so many people out with there dogs in the blazing sun have they no sense. when it is hot my dog is kept in she may be allowed in the garden for a few minutes we used to have a little collie cross that would love to sit in the sun poor old Cindy was always getting sent in. The other day in Blackpool a chap had a big Samoyed poor thing was puffinf and panting must have been roasting with that big coat. though I don''t think these people mean any harm just don't realise how hot a dog gets. but to leave them in a car!!!!!. Germaine x

Brian I agree with you entirely x

Nearly every heatwave we hear of similar happenings. - So sad. I also hate to see dogs dragged around crowded boot fairs.It can't be very pleasant for them amid all those feet. Some people just don't think.

Idiot's, I hope they hit them hard.People will never learn. Marion

I didn't think so. So why the hell do some people leave their dog's in cars in this weather? Just heard on the radio of a dog being found dead in a car in a local supermarket car park. The owner should be prosecuted.