RSPCA versus The Kennel Club – Are We Entering a New Era?
Published on September 15, 2008 by Ryan O'Meara · 3 CommentsWell, it’s happened. The RSPCA have stood up to be counted by publicly announcing their withdrawal from Crufts dog show and Discover Dogs. But what does this all mean and will it have a long term effect?
For an organisation with such a noble and popular working brief, the RSPCA certainly divides opinion – especially amongst animal lovers.
Some argue that they are too involved in certain issues, others argue they are not involved enough. Some accuse them of being too political, others say they don’t do enough to change the political landscape affecting animals. They are very public, very visible and they are certainly not above criticism. But, at their absolute core the RSPCA IS an animal welfare organisation. That IS its brief. And today it is absolutely hit the right note by making a move that will have far reaching consequences in animal welfare.
Today the RSPCA has put its head above the parapet on the rather contentious issue of its ongoing presence at Crufts dog show. The RSPCA could not, in good faith, continue to be held in high regard on animal welfare issues if it had ignored the greatest animal welfare scandal of our time.
Are we entering a new era? Was this move by the RSPCA a ‘tipping point’ in UK animal welfare?
And for those breeders who continually ignore veterinary and scientific advice regarding the DELIBERATE breeding of deformed, disabled dogs – maybe the rule of the game have just changed? Maybe now, at long last, the RSPCA will use its considerable powers to prosecute you for what is and ALWAYS HAS BEEN, animal cruelty.
Now, The BBC, you’ve seen what you need to do. Now go and do it!
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Tags: kennel club
I think the RSPCA has been childish and has acted rashly. How exactly is their move going help the dogs? Is it just so they can publically wash their hands clean of the Kennel Club?
What they should be doing is helping the Kennel Club resolve the issues that face them, and understand that suddenly slamming rules and regs on breeders is not going to magically make the dogs better again. The situation needs a cool head, because it’s going to take a long time for any improvement at all.
Furthermore, calling the current problems a ‘scandal’ is unfair; most pedigree breeders love their dogs and are ordinary people, and actually LOSE MONEY breeding, keeping and showing their animals. This amount of press is terribly harmful for the whole of the dog-world; pet and show; IT HAS DEVIDED THEM.
Puppy farmers will be rubbing their hands together with glee; people looking for pet puppies are avoiding even the pedigree breeds that have no health issues. Yes, they may rescue an older cross-bred dog (many have done and will do anyway, which is good news), but many want 8-week-old puppies, so where else will they go? There are no fast rules as to what a puppy farmer is, so they are difficult to spot for ordinary people.
Breaking away from the KC is not the solution, nor is putting pressure on them; it means that the KC have to answer to millions of worried and upset owners with perfectly healthy animals, and all that time spent reading angry letters from a public who neither understand nor care for the show-ring or the history of dog-breeds, is time wasted. They could have spent it reforming themselves and the dog world for the better.
But, even if the KC do anything for the affected animals, will the BBC or RSPCA recognise their work? No, because it doesn’t do them any favours. The RSPCA will never admit another animal society doing better than they have, because it may endanger their frequent donations, and the BBC doesn’t want to make happy, truthful documentaries, because no one wants to watch them.
well said laura!
All i can say about the RSPCA v the Kennel club is, Thank god they have got the Balls to stand up to the kennel club and well done,sooner would have been better mind i think that the kennel club is so stuck in the times. i have lived for this day for a long time. being a psychologist has been hard for me when i see all the wrong doings that go on. kennel club you are your own downfall and i hope you suffer.