Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Dogs banned from parks

There’s nothing better than a walk in the park with your favourite furry friend. On a warm sunny afternoon, it’s great watching all the dogs chasing around, enjoying themselves.

But that may not be the case much longer in some areas of Nottinghamshire. The Newark and Sherwood District Council have banned dogs from 72 parks in the area including play areas and fields.

If dog owners do let their animals onto these sites, they could face a fine of £75. It is said that these new measures have been put in place in order to tackle dog owners who let their dogs get out of control and those who do not clear up their faeces.

It is unpleasant and selfish for dog owners to behave like this but I think there are better ways of dealing with the problem than banning all dogs. It’s not fair to punish everyone for the mistakes of a few selfish dog owners.

Toto’s over the rainbow

I have to say, I am completely underwhelmed by the ‘talent’ being displayed on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest search for a star TV programme, Over The Rainbow. Most of the contestants have a weak karaoke voice at best with only a couple showing any sign of power and quality.

But I’m not giving up on the programme just yet, because it seems that dogs are about to save the day (again) as hundreds of pooches battle it out to be crowned Toto in the West End show.

The hopefuls gathered at Stoneleigh Park for auditions and they really showed off their talents. The dogs will really be put through their paces during the audition rounds and a shortlist of ten will appear on Saturday night’s show. I can’t wait to find out who will be named as Toto!

Battersea celebrate birthday with stamps

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is 150 years old this month. It’s incredible to think that they have been re-homing animals for all that time.

They have done some really important work over the years and have helped give better lives to thousands of our furry friends.

To celebrate their success for the last 150 years, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have released some stamps with Royal Mail. The stamps feature photographs of some of the success stories from the home.

The stamps show happy cats and dogs and are really adorable. They will certainly put a smile on your face next time you’re posting off you bill payments.

Dogs send neighbours barking mad

It has been reported that a man in Oxfordshire has been prosecuted for failing to stop his 23 dogs from barking.

The action was taken after neighbours complained about the noise even after Roger Sutton had been issued with a noise abatement notice.

The question that immediately comes to mind for me though is why was he allowed to keep 23 dogs? It was reported that the dogs were both in his house and locked in cages in his garden. The Dorset Old Tyme bulldogs made so much noise between them that several neighbours complained.

Sutton has been ordered to pay a £2000 fine and £500 in legal costs. But what has happened to the dogs? Let’s hope they’ve been rescued and re-homed somewhere that they will have plenty of space and happiness to worry about barking.

Who will get the Cole dogs?

I don’t know about you, but when I heard news of Ashley and Cheryl Cole splitting up, my first thought was for their dogs. What is going to happen to them?

Well if Cheryl has her way, then the two Chihuahuas will be staying with her. She is besotted with Buster and Coco and can’t bear the thought of living without them.

But of course, Ashley too wants to keep hold of the pooches so there could be a battle on Cheryl’s hands.

It’s all being taken very seriously and sources have said that there are temporary arrangements in place for visitation rights to the two dogs. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle of the puppies.

Crufts revises its standards amid accusations of poor dog health

Not long to go until this year’s Crufts start to take over our televisions. I don’t know about you, but I love sitting down and watching my favourite furry friends trot around the arena, showing off their shiny coats.

But Crufts has come under attack recently over accusations that it encourages inbreeding which can lead to health problems in dogs.

Well now the British institution is fighting back by saying that it will focus more on working animals and even mongrels.

The Kennel Club has also worked with vets to revise its standards for the competition. The health of the dog is now top of the agenda with Crufts according to the Kennel Club. And I should hope so too!

Although Crufts wasn’t shown on television last year because the BBC refused to air it, it will be back on our screens this year on More4. I can’t wait!

The dangers of dog walking

Taking the dog for a walk should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

But even when we are in the most deserted areas of the countryside, there are certain dangers to be aware of.

In the past month, three dog walkers have been trampled to death by cows. This usually occurs when dogs have been let off their leads. If the cows feel there is a threat to their calves, they will do anything to protect them. And this is what has led to the unfortunate deaths.

Advice from farmers is to just think of yourself and not the dog. Even if the dog is on the lead when cows begin to charge, the advice is to let them go.

Some farmers are calling for a law change to make it compulsory to keep dogs on leads in the countryside.
But whatever the outcome of these sad deaths, extra care must be taken when walking our dogs.

Super dog to the rescue!

We all know that we can rely on our dogs.

And as if proof were needed, Taiyuan Zoo in northern China has confirmed this.

On June 25th, the zoo was surprised to discover the birth of two red pandas. But sadly the mother abandoned the cubs. This led to a frantic search by zoo staff for a surrogate mother to feed the newborns.

Eventually a small white dog, belonging to a farmer in a nearby suburb, was chosen. The dog was already lactating and is extremely good natured according to the zoo staff. She immediately accepted the cubs and began feeding them.

Since being adopted by the mongrel, the cubs have doubled in size to 20cm. And with the red panda being an endangered species, the little white dog has really saved the day!

Jet set ‘pawsengers’

The bags are packed, passport is at the ready and you’re already smothered in suncream.

There’s no better feeling than jetting off on holiday.

But then, you turn round only to see your pooch looking up at you with that expression on his face. He knows.

And that pang of guilt is enough to take the shine off your holiday feeling completely.

But this is a problem of the past for American pet owners, because here, Pet Airways has just been launched.

Pet Airways is an airline aimed solely at animals, from budgies to cats and dogs.

During the flight, pets are taken on in-flight toilet trips and they even enjoy pre-boarding walkies. It sounds as if they are treated to a better service than their owners!

The airline means that pets are no longer crammed into the cargo hold with the luggage. It also means no more sorry expressions and no more feelings of guilt.

Just remember to pack that doggy passport!

Shocking dog thefts

Dog thieves have stolen dogs worth £5000 from a yard in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

The incident occurred overnight last Friday. And the thieves took five dogs but dropped one of the puppies as they fled the scene.

A two year old black Pug worth £1000, a Chihuahua, worth £800 and four Chihuahua puppies valued at £800 each were taken by the thieves.

One of the Chihuahua puppies was dropped by the thieves and was later spotted and returned to its owner.

The theft happened on Finvoy Road in Ballymoney between the hours of 9:30pm on Friday and 6:30am on Saturday. Police have made an appeal for any information.