News Dog

Do you live in or near Northants?

Well if you do don’t miss out on the Northants Greyhound Rescue dog show!

For more info visit: Retired Greyhound Trust

This Is Cornwall:

A four-year-old dog had a lucky escape last night after chasing a rabbit and falling 10ft down an open mine shaft at Scorrier, near Redruth.

Sonia and Joe Dunnett took their dogs Bell and Buster for a walk with a friend’s dog Oscar yesterday afternoon…

Lancashire Evening Post:

Staff at a cosmetics store are supporting a national campaign to close a beagle farm.

BBC News:

Local officials in Kazan in Russia have been trying to deal with the large number of stray dogs before the city hosts the World Student Games this summer.

Some animals have been rescued by a shelter, however animal rights activists claim that dog patrols are killing strays instead of sterilizing them.

BBC Russia’s Olga Ivshina reports from Kazan, where she put this allegation to the Mayor’s office.

BBC News:

The death of a dog which died after becoming entangled in its choke chain is to be investigated by the RSPCA.

Fire crews were called to Allerford near Porlock in Somerset at 08:30 BST to free two dogs who were reported to be caught up in the chains…

It’s often said that the age of dogs can be better understood by multiplying their age, in human years, by seven. But is that really true?

Find out, visit the BBC News website.

The Retired Greyhound Trust today published its Annual Review, which summarises the charity’s activities and achievements in 2012.

In his foreword, RGT Chairman Dr Andrew Higgins praised the work of the Trust’s
volunteers and supporters and announced that the charity “continues to perform well
on all fronts”. He added that 3,910 homes were found in 2012, a result described as
“very satisfactory given the challenges we faced.”

Whilst striking a cautionary note, Higgins remained optimistic about the future. He
said: “These are exciting but challenging times for the Trust as we strengthen our
operations and diversify our fundraising and promotional work to help more
greyhounds in the years to come.”

In his report, Chief Executive Peter Laurie described 2012 as a year of “consistent
progress and solid results” adding that “it was pleasing that thanks to the
wonderful efforts of our volunteers and supporters rehoming remained fairly
resilient to the economic climate.”

Total income reached £3.6m, on a par with 2011 and including a contribution of £1.4m
from the British Greyhound Racing Fund. Laurie was pleased that the Trust had been
able to reduce its costs by nearly 6% in real terms, despite huge demands for its
services that pushed kennelling and veterinary expenditure above £2m.

Looking ahead to 2013, Laurie identified a number of priorities including
strengthening the branch network, increasing the recognition of the contribution
made to the charity by its volunteers, maximising the benefits of new and innovative
promotional opportunities, and expanding and diversifying its income streams.

He concluded: “Although evidence of a broad economic recovery in Britain remains
limited, we must envisage growth in both rehoming and fundraising in the years to
come. Meanwhile we remain committed to finding loving homes for as many greyhounds
as our resources allow. We’re very grateful to everyone who takes an interest in and supports our work.”

To download a copy of the RGT’s 2012 Annual Review or the full 2012 Trustees’ Report
and Audited accounts, visit: Retired Greyhounds
.

BBC News:

Dog-fouling hotspots will be spray-painted by a council in a bid to get people to clean-up after their pets.

The campaign aims to “remind dog owners of their responsibilities”, said Councillor Iain Chubb, of East Devon District Council.

He said it was not graffiti and it would disappear after about two weeks…

BBC News:

The handling of stray dogs handled has become a “postcode lottery” according to a number of animal welfare charities who carry out dog rehoming.

Since 2008 councils have a legal duty to deal with stray dogs in their area.

But the charities warned that cuts to local authority budgets meant services being “curtailed or cut”, with charities left to “pick up the pieces”…

BBC News:

An RSPCA investigation has begun after five lurcher puppies were found beaten to death on a railway line in Wiltshire.

The animal charity has said the puppies all had “horrific” head injuries and were probably killed and then thrown on the track at Wilton, near Salisbury.

RSPCA inspector Will Hendry said: “It was a truly horrible sight – enough to make your stomach turn”…