The footage shows Bilal Mohammed Aldeeb (pictured below) goading a series of dogs to fight in a yard believed to be somewhere in Jordan. At one point the 32-year-old (25/2/78) is caught on camera pushing two dogs’ heads together in an attempt to continue a fight between the two exhausted animals, already covered in blood from their horrific injuries.

Aldeeb, of Avenue Road, Southgate, could not be prosecuted for fighting the dogs in the footage as the incidents took place outside England and Wales. However, at Enfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday (3.8.10), he was convicted of keeping and training a red and white pit bull terrier type dog named Rhino for use in connection with an animal fight.

He was also found guilty of possession of a weighted collar which is used to train dogs in connection with animal fighting. Both charges were in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The two-day trial was told the weighted collar is designed and used to build up a dog’s neck muscles for dog fighting. Aldeeb had previously admitted possession of a pit bull terrier type dog, contrary to section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The court was shown footage from the tapes seized at Aldeeb’s home address to prove he had an interest in dog fighting.

Chief inspector Mike Butcher, of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “The footage seized from Aldeeb’s home was some of the clearest and most graphic we have ever come across. There can be no question that this man has a sickening fascination in watching two animals rip each other to pieces.

“The dogs in the video would have suffered horrendous levels of cruelty through the actions of Aldeeb and those who took the footage.

“The footage may have been taken overseas, but this case proves the RSPCA refuses to turn a blind eye to those people who think maintaining their involvement in this barbaric practice to England is acceptable.”

One charge against Aldeeb, of causing unnecessary suffering to Rhino by failing to provide the animal veterinary care for injuries caused by a fight with another animal, was dismissed by the court.

The case was adjourned for sentencing at Enfield Magistrates Court on 24 August.

Louise Wilson, from Flintshire-based specialist sniffer dog company Wagtail UK, is helping set up a scheme that will train dogs to find cheetah scats – their poo.

Louise, 28, from Saltney, near Chester, is just back from World Cup-mad South africa where the only big game she was interested in has four legs and can run at over 70mph.

She was there as the guest of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a South African-based charity who were keen to see if dogs could be used in conservation work. They had approached Wagtail UK Managing Director Collin Singer and it was through him that fellow director Louise became involved.

Collin, a former RAF Police dog handler, set up Wagtail UK in 2003 and the company now specialises in training and using sniffer dogs to detect everything from drugs to explosives to human bodies and they work extensively within the security industry, including at the French Channel ports with the UK Border Agency checking freight for illegal immigrants.

They have also seen the potential for the use of dogs in wildlife work which is where Louise’s involvement with the EWT came about.

She said: “I studied Animal Behavior and Welfare at Chester University and I have a passionate interest in conservation so I was delighted to get involved.

“The EWT were interested to find out if dogs could work in their environment where the temperature is very high, it’s dusty and you are dealing with vast areas of land.

“I see huge potential for the use of dogs in this field because they are able to find rare animals in a non-invasive way. There’s no shooting them with dart guns, tranquillising them and fitting them with special tracking collars.

“The dogs can be trained to find their scat, they don’t bother or upset the cheetahs and it means the scats can be examined so that conservationists know what sort of diet the animals are eating and how healthy they are.

“South africa is just such a fantastic place. It’s so spectacular and the wildlife is amazing – you’re out there in the bush at night and you can hear the hyenas and jackals calling and all the other sounds.”

Louise has been working closely with Rox Brummer, EWT’s Carnivore Conflict Officer in northern South africa, close to the borders with Zimbabwe and Botswana and she shares Louise’s enthusiasm for the use of dogs in tracking the rare animals.

Rox said: “Cheetahs are very shy cats and get stressed very easily and the darting procedure can be very risky for them.

“Using scat detection dogs means you can potentially sample all the animals in a population rather than just a few.

“This will give researchers a much fuller picture of what is going on within the cheetah population so we can find out how many cheetahs there are, their state of health and their dietary preferences, all without seeing a single spot.”

The sniffer dog unit at the EWT is in its early stages, with the facilities still under construction, so on Louise’s visit she helped Rox erect temporary kennels and a large tent for training and she started schooling two dogs, Minkie, a daschund, and Gala, a Malinois or Belgian Shepherd.

She believes both have the potential to be trained to detect cheetahs and also another rare species, the blue swallow.

“Dogs are just the best way of searching,” Louise said: “If you suspect someone of carrying drugs you can go through all the business of questioning them and then strip searching them but with a dog you just get it to sniff them.

“I can’t believe dogs are not more widely used within conservation because they’re so ideal and it’s something that we can bring back and use in this country with our own rare and endangered species.

“And dogs are easily available, cost effective, efficient and fast.

“At Wagtail we have some amazing ideas and projects running with regard to a conservation dog section here in the UK and we really want to hear from people about using dogs for conservation.

Louise said that dogs can be trained to detect a scent in as little as 16 weeks and in Africa they would have to work off-lead much of the time and have a bell on to warn animals of their approach as well as being well trained in recall.

She joined Wagtail UK six years ago, initially as an unpaid volunteer but has become an integral part of the operation and is now Head of Training.

She has worked with detection dogs on places as diverse as Wembley and the QE2 and has five dogs of her own: “I just adore working with detection dogs and conservation is something which I’ve always been fascinated in and which I feel there is so much scope for the use of dogs,” she said.

“They’re ideal for finding things. If it has a scent then a dog can find it.”

To make donations to the Endangered Wildlife Trust or for more information go to www.ewt.org.za

Liberal Democrat Peer Rupert Redesdale outlined before the Lords his intention to introduce major changes to current dangerous dog legislation, which is widely considered to be one of the most ineffective pieces of government legislation ever brought into force.

These changes include:

· More emphasis on the owner’s responsibilities – the Bill supports the principle that it is the owner who has the potential to make a dog either well-behaved or badly-behaved. It gives authorised officers the powers to place Dog Control Notices on irresponsible owners at the first signs of dog aggression.

· Legislation will no longer be breed specific – since the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, public money and resources have been wasted by already overstretched police authorities seizing dogs simply for being of a particular breed or type. Research now overwhelmingly supports the principle of ‘deed not breed’, and proves that genetics (breed) play only a limited part in the temperament of an individual dog, with environment and training having a far greater effect.

· Attacks which take place on private property would also become a criminal offence – a large number of dog attack incidents occur within the home and on private property. The Bill includes various exemptions such as being attacked by another animal, provocation, and attacks on individuals committing an offence for which they could be imprisoned.

Regarding the second reading, Lord Redesdale commented: “The Control of Dogs Bill has had a successful second stage and is now going to Committee in the House of Lords. A number of issues were raised which will have to be dealt with in Committee but all contributions in the debate stressed the need for responsibility on the other end of the lead – with owners”.

Lord Redesdale’s work on the Bill has been supported by the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group, which is made up of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and local authorities. The DDASG has lobbied against the inadequacies of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for many years and believes that current legislation has failed to protect the public and instead caused a significant welfare issue whilst creating the problem of status dogs.

DDASG Chairman and Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, Chris Laurence said “Contrary to the comments of Lord Grantchester in this afternoon’s speech, Dogs Trust wholeheartedly supports the work of the DDASG, at which we Chair, and Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill.

The Bill focuses on prevention rather than cure, better protects the public and emphasises responsible dog ownership and all members of DDASG are delighted that it has passed its next stage through Parliament”.

Existing legislation has failed to reduce the number of dog bite incidents in the UK, which have risen in the past five years by 79% in London and 43% nationally*. Meanwhile costs have continued to rise; it was revealed that 10 million pounds has been spent by the Metropolitan Police alone in the past 3 years simply to implement Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, relating to the seizure, kennelling and euthanasia of banned breeds.

The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group has also launched a petition supporting Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill which already has almost 10,000 signatures. The petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/repeal-and-replace-the-dangerous-dogs-act.html

For more information on DDASG, Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill and current ‘dangerous dog’ legislation visit http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/928

The Hollywood A-Lister and ex-Wife of Brad Pitt is well known for her love of dogs and already owns a Corgi cross Terrier called Norman and a white German Shepherd Dog called Dolly.

Why not follow in the fabulous friends footsteps and take a look at 100′s of rescue dogs looking for their forever families. www.dogsblog.com

The EDM is gaining signatures from across all political parties as MPs show their support for a compulsory microchipping scheme that would have a significant and positive welfare impact on dogs by:

* assisting in the return of stray and stolen dogs to their owners;
* improving traceability of puppy-farmed dogs; and
* providing a lifetime of security for a one-off payment.

The EDM is also supported by Dogs Trust (who coordinated the EDM), Cats Protection, Blue Cross, and NOAH (National Office for Animal Health).

Earlier this week Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones AM announced proposals for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs and puppies sold or homed by licensed breeders, to improve traceability.

Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said:

“Microchipping is part of responsible pet ownership and the BVA believes that all dogs should be permanently identified by microchip before the first change of ownership or at the first veterinary examination.

“Compulsory microchipping allows stray dogs to be reunited with their owners and would help the authorities to crack down on shameful puppy farms, where the health and welfare of both puppies and bitches is compromised, by improving the traceability of the animals.

“It could also assist with the reporting of hereditary health problems and surgical procedures to help us gain as much knowledge and research as we can to improve the health of all dogs.

“I would urge all Members of Parliament to show their support for dogs and their owners by signing this EDM.”

The full text of EDM 357: COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS

Rosindell, Andrew

That this House recognises that the introduction of a compulsory microchipping scheme for dogs would have a significant and positive welfare impact, including the return of stray and stolen dogs to their owners and the improved traceability of puppy-farmed dogs; congratulates Dogs Trust, Cats Protection, Blue Cross, National Office of Animal Health and the British Veterinary Association on their efforts to raise public awareness of microchipping and their campaigning for a mandatory scheme; acknowledges that microchipping provides a lifetime of security for a one-off payment; agrees that a compulsory microchipping scheme is currently the preferred alternative to a dog licensing scheme, which would potentially create unnecessary bureaucracy and expense for local authorities; and believes that this would not represent a barrier to dog ownership for vulnerable groups.

Almost two years ago, Governor Rendell, at the urging of the General Assembly and citizens throughout the Commonwealth, signed a law that would require among other things that breeding dogs in commercial kennels have unfettered access to the outside (indoor/outdoor kennel runs), and that all dogs over the age of twelve weeks not be housed on wire flooring (solid or slatted floors only).

Historically, dogs in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills have been forced to spend their lives standing on painful wire strand flooring in too-small cages often without any access to the outside. Governor Rendell’s new law was meant to improve conditions for millions of dogs in PA’s commercial kennels in the years to come. Instead Smith and West have decided to ignore the Governor’s wishes and the new law, by creating a policy that would allow pregnant and nursing mothers to be forced to stand on the now-outlawed wire strand flooring up to six months of the year and deny these poor animals unfettered access to an outside exercise area.

Members of Pennsylvania’s animal welfare community are asking for Jessie Smith and Sue West’s immediate removal and see their new policy as just one more attempt by the Bureau to protect the commercial breeders rather than the dogs of Pennsylvania. In October of 2009, as the new dog law went into effect, Smith and West issued waivers to 81 of the 111 commercial kennels, exempting over two thirds of PA’s commercial kennels from Pennsylvania’s new dog laws. Some of these waivers were for up to three years.

“The Governor should be outraged by what his staff is doing. If the Governor does want to help the dogs of Pennsylvania, he would demand that his Special Secretary and his Director of Dog Law enforce his new law rather than searching for loopholes to help the breeders keep their dogs on wire flooring” said Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue and an ASPCA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner. The ASPCA permitted HSUS’ Sarah Speed to express their opposition to the Bureau’s new policy at last week’s DLAB meeting. The Humane Society of the United States, United Against Puppy Mills, North Penn Puppy Mill Watch, Animal Law Coalition, Main Line Animal Rescue, and Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter’s Nancy Gardner have all expressed their opposition to the Bureau’s new policy of allowing kennel owners to circumvent the new law.

“Everyone who worked so hard to pass these new laws in an effort to improve conditions in PA’s mass dog breeding facilities should know all their hard work was for nothing – now that the administration plans not to enforce them” said one angry volunteer who helps rehabilitates rescued puppy mill dogs in Lancaster County. “And after all the Governor’s promises, dogs continue to suffer – breeding dogs trapped inside barns in 101 degree temperatures.” In spite of Jessie Smith and Sue West’s announcement last week that dogs could remain on wire, the two administrators listed breeding dogs removed from wire flooring as one of the Bureau’s accomplishments in their 2009 report to PA’s General Assembly. Only last month, PA’s Canine Health Board, consisting of nine veterinarians, also voted against the use of wire flooring in commercial kennels. “I feel like I live in North Korea” said one advocate for the animals. “The government can do as they like – and in this case, not only are they not enforcing the law, they’re encouraging people to break it.”

The requirements for solid flooring and unfettered access to the outside exercise area are two of the more important aspects of the new law, and many believe anyone who feels that it is alright to keep dogs trapped inside hot barns and standing on wire flooring has never been to a puppy mill and is hardly qualified to comment or shape new policies. “The governor once said that he knows how bad these kennels are – he didn’t need to see them” said Bill Smith “Well, I think its time the governor visit a few of these places, see 700 dogs unable to walk properly after spending their lives on vinyl coated chicken wire. How can the administration claim that Pennsylvania now has the toughest dog laws in the country if the governor is not insisting they be enforced?” Animal advocates are planning a rally to protest the Bureau’s ongoing policy of continuing to allow PA’s puppy mill dogs to suffer – either in Harrisburg or Philadelphia’s City Hall near the governor’s Broad Street offices.

“Every week millions of dog owners honor me by allowing me in their homes to teach through the Dog Whisperer television show,” says Cesar Millan. “I would love to use this platform to inform people about pet overpopulation and how it’s killing millions of animals yearly in America. One of the kindest acts people can perform to save the lives of animals is to spay or neuter their pet, which prevents homeless animals from ever being born in the first place.”

The Millan Foundation approached Lopez Negrete for its strategic insight and assistance in targeting dog owners to promote the importance of spaying or neutering their pets. The agency offered its services on a pro bono basis, helping the nonprofit by designing and producing a fully integrated communications program. All work is focused on raising awareness of the consequences of pet overpopulation, which includes leaving over 4.5 million dogs and cats to die in local animal shelters each year due to a lack of space.

“We are dog lovers and have admired the work that Cesar has accomplished throughout the years,” said Alex Lopez Negrete, president, CEO/CCO of Lopez Negrete Communications. “Pet overpopulation is an important issue and one not commonly addressed in the Hispanic community, so we knew this was a breakthrough project we had to engage immediately.”

Equally, the Millan Foundation and Lopez Negrete understand that U.S. Hispanics love and treat their pets as family members, but are largely unaware of the issue of pet overpopulation and the resources available to provide spaying and neutering services. Research proved that the Latino population is a demographic that is very open to learning of the repercussions of leaving pets unsterilized and willing to take an initiative in addressing the problem.

The Minister asked the group to report to her by the end of June 2010.

The five welfare needs included in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 are that animals should:

* have a suitable environment;
* have a suitable diet;
* have the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;
* be housed separately or together with other animals; and
* be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

The report, which the Minister has accepted, makes three broad recommendations. First, that there should be legislative change for dog breeding by repealing existing statutory requirements and to provide new legislation; second, that changes to the licensing provision for dog breeding establishments should be made; and third, that statutory guidance on the new legislation should be made.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said:

“Pets are an important element of our society and ownership gives much pleasure, as well as associated responsibilities.

“The devolution of animal welfare powers to Welsh Ministers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 has provided opportunities for us to make a real difference. It’s about improving standards and preventing suffering – prevention is better than cure, which is a principle of our overarching Animal Health and Welfare Strategy.

“We have already made legislation on electronic shock collars and tail docking of dogs and Codes of Practice for dogs, cats, equines and rabbits. The CAWES (Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme) programme has supported and is continuing to support evidence based decisions. Part of that process is to work with the third sector to raise standards.

The Minister announced that licensing conditions for dog breeding establishments will be redrafted to reflect the five welfare needs. To help achieve this, the report recommended that a maximum number of dogs should be kept per full time attendant.

The Minister added:

“If the breeding establishment is to meet the welfare and socialisation needs of dogs and puppies it was considered that, at the outside, a maximum ratio of one full time attendant to 20 dogs should be imposed.

“I am keen to emphasise, however, that where welfare requirements are fully met, it is a legitimate business and meets the demands of those wishing to buy pets.

“What is unacceptable is large scale breeding of puppies where welfare of both the parents and offspring may be compromised. Evidence submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government in research undertaken by local authorities, representations from many welfare bodies and several television programmes, all identified room for improvement for animal welfare in existing dog breeding licensing conditions.

“The group also considered the qualifying criteria for licensing. They agreed that existing criteria needed tightening particularly reducing the number of breeding bitches to trigger licensing to three from the current “five or more litters.”

Other changes will include the compulsory microchipping of all breeding dogs in licensed premises as well as the microchipping of all pups from these premises prior to sale or homing. This would provide clear traceability back to the breeder in case of health or welfare concerns.

It is proposed that statutory guidance will incorporate the five “needs” of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This will give a clear direction to Welsh local authorities and to dog breeders to enable compliance with the licensing requirements. Consideration will need to be given at a later stage as to whether the Code of Practice on the Welfare of Dogs will need to be expanded to include more detail on dog breeding.

The Minister concluded:

“My role is to ensure that animal welfare is being promoted and animals protected without placing unnecessary burdens on the breeders or purchasers of dogs.”

The new legislation will be fully consulted on during a 12 week period.

On June 24th a two year old Greyhound called Highview Pilot was seriously injured, and subsequently “put down” by the track vet, after crashing into the rails at the second bend. Then, just last Saturday, three year old Townbrow Sioux suffered a fatal injury when he fell badly after colliding with another dog at the first.

These latest deaths have led to increased support for Greyhound Action’s call for an end to dog racing at the stadium, where the group’s local supporters already hold regular demonstrations.

Tony Peters, Greyhound Action’s UK Co-ordinator, said: “These tragic deaths are just the continuation of a long list of greyhound fatalities at Belle Vue Stadium.

“We were informed of the incidents by an official at the track, who has become increasingly concerned about the suffering and slaughter of dogs caused by the Greyhound racing industry.

“He also told us that some spectators were getting upset at how Greyhounds were being roughly handled and sometimes literally thrown into the traps prior to races.

“The fatal injuries to Highview Pilot and Townbrow Sioux come in the wake of reports of a large number of Greyhounds being “put down” at Belle Vue Stadium and has prompted animal protection campaigners to renew their calls for an end to dog racing there.

“Thousands of injuries to Greyhounds, many of them serious, occur every year in Britain. The main reason for this is that the shape of the tracks, with fast straights leading into tight bends, creates a very dangerous environment for dogs to run in.

“In addition, hundreds of other Greyhounds, bred because of the demand created by Belle Vue, are put to death as puppies or young dogs, before they even make it to the track, after being judged unsuitable for racing.

“According to recent research, more than 12,000 Greyhounds, bred for the British racing industry, are ‘put down’ every year, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their ‘careers’ on the tracks come to an end.

“An RSPCA report on Greyhound racing has stated that ‘at least 20 Greyhounds a day – either puppies which do not make the track, or retired dogs aged three or four – simply disappear, presumed killed’.

“Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending dog tracks or betting on GHreyhound racing, so this appalling industry fades away through lack of financial support.”

For more information, please visit Greyhound Action’s website at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk

Existing legislation has failed to reduce the number of dog bite incidents in the UK, which have risen in the past five years by 79% in London and 43% nationally*. Meanwhile costs have continued to rise; it was revealed that 10 million pounds has been spent by the Metropolitan Police alone in the past 3 years simply to implement Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, relating to the seizure, kennelling and euthanasia of banned breeds.

The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG) has lobbied against the inadequacies of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for many years and members of the group are now backing a new Dog Control Bill proposed by Lib Dem Peer Lord Redesdale, which will receive its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday (9^th July).  This Bill would consolidate previous legislation and better protect the public by targeting the cause of dog attacks – dog owners themselves.

Lord Redesdale commented: “People deserve to feel safe around dogs and this Bill goes a long way towards protecting the public through tougher action against irresponsible dog owners. The current law has done nothing but make banned breeds and their lookalikes more appealing and created the issue of status dogs because they are a status symbol.

“Owners of aggressive or violent dogs of any kind would be brought to account with this Bill, which in turn will prevent a large number of attacks by dealing with problem behaviour at the first signs of aggression rather than when an attack has taken place, as in current legislation”.

Can you spot the dangerous dog? The answer lies with the owner holding the lead.

If passed, the Bill will introduce major changes to current dangerous dog legislation, which is widely considered to be one of the most ineffective pieces of government legislation ever brought into force. These changes include:

• More emphasis on the owner’s responsibilities – the Bill supports the principle that it is the owner who has the potential to make a dog either well-behaved or badly-behaved. It gives authorised officers the powers to place Dog Control Notices on irresponsible owners at the first signs of dog aggression.

• Attacks which take place on private property would also become a criminal offence – a large number of dog attack incidents occur within the home and on private property. The Bill includes various exemptions such as being attacked by another animal, provocation, and attacks on individuals committing an offence for which they could be imprisoned.

• Legislation will no longer be breed specific – since the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, public money and resources have been wasted by already overstretched police authorities seizing dogs simply for being of a particular breed or type. Research now overwhelmingly supports the principle of ‘deed not breed’, and proves that genetics (breed) play only a limited part in the temperament of an individual dog, with environment and training having a far greater effect.

The DDASG has been working closely with Lord Redesdale in support of his Dog Control Bill and has long been calling on the government to repeal the current legislation. The Group believes that the breed specific nature of current legislation has caused it to fail, and that focusing on individual breeds has failed to prevent a large number of dog attacks, or reduce the number of Pit Bull Terriers in the UK.

DDASG Chairman Chris Laurence, Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, said: “We firmly believe that the Dangerous Dogs Act needs to be overhauled to better protect the public and that a new dog control regime that emphasises responsible dog ownership should be introduced.

“The Dog Control Bill supports the principle that it is people, not the dogs themselves that make dogs dangerous. Lord Redesdale’s Bill would allow people to be better protected from dangerous dogs with tougher action taken against irresponsible dog owners.”

The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group has also launched a petition supporting Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill which already has almost 10,000 signatures. The petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/repeal-and-replace-the-dangerous-dogs-act.html