Readers' Letters

Hello,
Thank you for starting a magazine that is exclusively for dogs. We need that in New Zealand, but you have not been very regular with its production so far - is it going to improve and will its six-a-year schedule become 'on time'? I feel I am not able to subscribe until I know what I am subscribing to. - Hannah, Ngaruawahia

The magazine has had a few problems with both production and with the publishing house shifting and a second shift into permanent quarters coming up at about the time this magazine will be released. Subscribers can be assured, however, that their subscription covers six copies, even if delays mean it takes 18 months instead of 12 to put out those six copies! Thank you for the positive feedback, and your criticism is well appreciated. - Ed

Hello,
Congratulations on your canine magazine. All too often one observes dogs in the neighbourhood that are not treated right and for many the reason is not that the owners are uncaring, but more that they do not know how to look after a dog. I know many are outside tied to kennels with little human contact, not much to do, and days-old dirty water (if any) to drink. They often have fleas, many are not immunised, sometimes mites in their ears and sores on their necks from old, inappropriate or too-small collars.

Yet the families who own these dogs often think they are treating them well. They think this because they know no better. They have not sought any information on what their dogs require, simply because they don't realise they are doing it wrong. I hope that your magazine becomes widely known and reaches all those who need some help, and that they really take notice and begin to accept their companion as a family member. - David, Abbotsford

I hope so too and yes, I have often seen dogs in the situation you mention. Readers such as yourself can help the magazine by sending letters, photographs and most of all information. If you have a national event, a canine joke, a championship, photos of champions from the local show, agility, gundog trials, obedience; a canine story to tell, or any other aspect of dog care, health or training etc, just phone/fax us on (07) 826-4165, or email us at editor@k9magazinefree.com - Ed

Hello,
I have a complaint about old farmers that seem to have no idea how to handle the sprays they use and spray all kinds of unidentifiable mixtures around their paddocks to the detriment of all nearby animals. I have three dogs and I recently had to rush one of them to the vet - she had drunk from her bucket of water outside and as soon as I went near the bucket I could smell the spray - the farmer had come back from the paddocks and rinsed his hands in it after spraying with an organophosphate-type mixture. His attitude was that it's only a dog and will most likely be perfectly okay so why take it to the vet. I am afraid I rather let him have an earfull, our landlord and all!

But many of the old-generation farmers seem to have an attitude like this and the same sort of cavalier attitude towards the chemicals they spray around. I am sure some of the chemicals in their sheds date back to the 1950s and 60s. I have now put the dogs' water in an area of the yard to which the farmer does not have access. But I thought it worth a warning to anyone living in farming areas to keep their dogs and their playing areas and anything they are likely to eat (including grass) well away from the farmer's spray and clean-up zones. - Shona, Waipukurau

I have heard horror stories like this before and unfortunately not much can be done about it. After these farmers retire and the younger ones take over the farm these chemicals are usually disposed of - but a scary thought can be - where? Most will hand in old chemicals to the proper authorities but there are always those who dig a hole and bury it or carry out other dangerous ways of disposal. The whole subject is taken too lightly too often. - Ed

Hello,
I have a Scottish terrier and take him to obedience classes. I have found that he loves attending and gets a lot out of each session. Are you likely to include any articles about dog obedience in future issues? I have heard that the larger dogs who become really good at obedience work compete on a national scale - I would love to see some champions at work and some competitions in progress. - Fiona, Nelson

Yes, I will include obedience work in a future issue, but need to get information on events, photos of local champions, events to come, national activities and all the news that must be going on in the field of obedience. You may wish to send in some news from your area? - Ed

Foot and mouth - and responsibility

AN outbreak of foot and mouth disease in a Brentford, Essex, UK abattoir was discovered on February 19th. The animals in the abattoir had travelled from as far as Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, in the north and Fresh Water Bay, Isle of Wight, in the south.

The animals from Heddon-on-the-Wall were subsequently identified as the probable initial source of the outbreak. W ithin eight days eight kilometre restriction zones had been imposed on four sites in Essex, one in Buckinghamshire, two in Devon, one in Hereford, three in Northumberland and one in Wiltshire. Cattle, pigs and sheep were all infected.

A meeting of the Kennel Club General Committee took place on February 20th. The Foot-and-Mouth outbreak was discussed and many responsible organisations, not directly connected with livestock, took what action they could to reduce the risk of further spread of the disease. Within a few days of the initial outbreak being reported the hunting season had been brought to a premature close. The Shropshire Gundog Society cancelled its show and all public shows, zoos, animal events, abattoirs, parks and reserves and animal markets were also closed.

This made impossible compliance with the government's law that, as part of its controls to prevent BSE in cattle they must be slaughtered before the age of 30 months. Some schools were closed. The Ramblers Association asked members to keep well away from grazing land. The National Farmers Union reiterated this advice and the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Nick Brown, asked people, especially those with animals, to stay away from farmland and to restrict travel to essential journeys away from infected sites. All movement of livestock throughout Britain was banned.

Dogs within controlled areas must now be confined or kept under control at all times. Although dogs do not get the disease they can very easily help to spread it. New Zealanders with friends or relatives in Britain at the moment will have heard of the very restricted areas where dogs are able to go for their walks - basically on a public highway or within the confines of their own property.

The Kennel Club's first public statement appeared on the Internet on February 26th. At that time it was working closely with MAFF and there was no intention to place any restriction at all on dogs or on the shows. But now the situation changes from day to day and the Kennel Club is issuing regular press releases and advising people with enquiries to contact MAFF. The Kennel Club has received congratulations from Our Dogs, which stated that the KC's quick decision to co-operate fully with MAFF on all matters and to extend the areas where dog shows and events will not now be held, is to be commended. The club stated that when the farming community has to bear the burden of such epidemics it is the least the club can do to carry out any restrictions within its power to assist with bringing the epidemic to a halt.

With these decisions it is obvious that the British kennel club has somewhat changed the way it deals with its responsibilities - its priorities have changed in the last few decades and it is now more aware of the over-all public good. The loss of shows is regarded as part of dogdom's contribution to the price that is to be paid for the outbreak by the nation as a whole. It is hoped that all other groups concerned with outdoor pursuits will do the same and cancel any public events that may see the participation of people from areas where the disease has been identified.

This information is based on an opinion article in My Dogs March issue.