Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th January 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Petition to reconsider electric shock ban
Couple urge Welsh government to lift ban on shock fences

 A pet-owning couple are calling the Welsh government to amend its ban on electric shock fences, made illegal at the same time as electric shock collars.

The ban on both devices came into place in Wales in 2010, following controversy over using shocks to train animals. Anyone caught using such a fence or collar in the country can now be fined up to £20,000 or jailed for up to six months.

Campaigners Monima and Martyn O'Connor said they support the collar ban, however, they believe pet owners should still be allowed to install the fences, which send a shock to animals if they get too close to a boundary.

Mrs O'Connor took an interest in the use of the invisible fences last year, after two of her cats died outside her home in road traffic accidents.

Her husband, while adding that the shocks are mild, said animals soon learn not to approach the boundary.

"Nobody really considers it to be dangerous or harmful to pets in any way and it's certainly not as intensive as livestock fencing," he commented.

The couple have submitted a petition to the Welsh government that holds 500 signatures.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.