It's a dogs life!
Well the ability of a Cat to train its human is well known but in the UK there is now, in addition to animal welfare legislation a new Dog and Cat Code of Practice setting out good practice and what owners should do to look after their moggy and doggy! While this may seem another example of the “Nanny State” going over the top any rescue centre will sadly prove that common sense and humanity are not always universal when it comes to our little friends.
Cat and dog owners are to be told to provide "entertainment" and "mental stimulation" for their pets under new government advice. The code of practice also includes advice on diet and providing "somewhere suitable to go to the toilet". It says owners should watch for signs of stress and advises on introducing cats to dogs without the fur flying.
Owners will not be fined for breaking the rules but failure to comply may be used in animal cruelty prosecutions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it wanted to remind pet owners of their responsibilities under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.
The Code is too late for Freddie
http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2007/10/should-we-mourn-cat.html
The 26 page document on cat welfare begins with a warning to owners: "It is your responsibility to read the complete Code of Practice to fully understand your cat's welfare needs and what the law requires you to do." The document, which will be published as a leaflet and on Defra's website after an eight week consultation period, says owners must provide their pets with a "suitable place to live" including "somewhere suitable to go to the toilet". It also advises providing a separate litter tray for each cat.
And it adds: "Cats need opportunities to climb and jump, such as a simple 'platform' type bed or safe access to shelves and the tops of cupboards. Cats that are not very tame, such as some farm cats, may prefer to live outdoors in more basic shelter but you still need to look after them."
The guidelines warn owners they could face prosecution for cruelty for leaving animals in hot cars. And they give a detailed description of what constitutes normal behaviour - such as scratching and clawing - and tells owners to "watch your cat closely for signs of stress or changes in behaviour. Dogs should be introduced to cats very carefully; the dog should be held safely on a lead at first so that it cannot chase the cat," it adds.
On diet, it advises fresh food every day but warns "an obese cat is an unhealthy cat" adding "it is a good idea in a 'greedy' cat to have the measured food divided up into a number of meals per day". And it tells owners to provide suitable toys and "entertainment" for their cats. "You should ensure that your cat has enough mental stimulation from you and from its environment to avoid boredom and frustration. It is your responsibility to provide opportunities for your cat to satisfy all of its behavioural needs, such as play and companionship." But, the guide adds, cats are solitary creatures and the most common cause of stress is "coming into close contact with other cats they do not like".
Ringo has new leverage
http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2008/02/castle-cat.html
Dog owners, by contrast, are given detailed instructions on ensuring their pets do not become lonely or isolated as "dogs are a social species and need the company of people, dogs or other animals". There are similar guidelines for horse owners under the proposals, which are subject to an eight week consultation period. The proposed leaflet also includes the relevant sections of animal welfare legislation.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "These three new codes of practice will outline the responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act and give practical advice on how to fulfil them. This means no one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse for mistreating any animal."
You look after our relations or else!
However the animals I really feel for are the large breed dogs bought by Humans who treat them aggressively, don’t train them properly and treat them as aggressive status symbols in their Chav sub-culture. Perhaps there is a strong case to make that before a Human is allowed buy a large dog they have to do a training course and undergo a home inspection before they get a licence. Large breeds are demanding, need proper care and exercise, proper living conditions and both they and their owners need training. I’m not sure if there are dangerous dogs or merely dangerous owners who mistreat them. So a qualified welcome for the Code of Practice but rather than condemning it as the thin end of the Nanny State, I’m not sure if it goes far enough in protecting our trusting little friends from incompetent Humans?
