Steve

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columni...mal-owners.html RSPCA: End this cruelty to animal owners The animal charity is spending too much time prosecuting innocent animal owners, believes Christopher Booker Last week I reported on the tragic story of Alan Brough, the retired builder who became so depressed, after the RSPCA had taken the herd of 90 semi-wild ponies he had looked after for 30 years on the Cumbrian moors, that he hanged himself. This week’s story, again passed on to me by SHG (the Self-Help Group set up to advise victims of RSPCA persecution), concerns Michael O’Neill, an Anglesey horse breeder. For three years he was dragged through the courts by the RSPCA, after one of its officials had in 2007 seen sores on two horses he had bought from Ireland for £10,000. The RSPCA instigated criminal charges against Mr O’Neill, claiming that the sores must have been caused by collars round his horses’ necks. Mr O’ Neill’s vet had already diagnosed their cause as a rare bacterial infection called strangles, for which he had been treating the animals. As the case dragged on, threatening the closure of his business, Mr O’Neill became so stressed that his health deteriorated. At one hearing last year, he had a stroke in the courtroom. Last week, when the trial finally concluded, the magistrates acquitted Mr O’Neill of all charges, saying he could leave the court with “an untarnished reputation”. Such stories should be brought to the attention of all those generous folk who still provide the RSPCA with an income of £115 million a year in donations, without realising what a change has come over that once admirable organisation – and how much of its activity, according to critics, is now devoted to prosecuting innocent animal owners in order to generate the publicity that keeps those donations rolling in.

Thats O.K. by me - come anyway. Id like to meet you too.

We are tied up all day with the RSPCA thing but that finishes at 4pm and we arent leaving until the following day so we have that evening to meet up. We are staying at Forrest Hotel & Apartments 30 National Circuit Forrest ACT 2603

Lesley and I will be in Canberra on the 17th of August for a couple of days to attend the roundtable meeting with the RSPCA for the MDBA. While we are there it would be good to meet up with anyone who might be even a little bit interested in being involved with MDBA Pacers. In case you are not aware as yet we are in the process of helping people to set up and be involved in their own clubs under the MDBA Pacers banner as chartered clubs. [sort of similar structure to Rotary or apex etc] This will mean we can help people more effficiently and effectively when they strike natural or personal disasters. It also means we can keep the fundraising from the local communities within those communities. The vision is to have an MDBA Pacers club close to you to help out with you and your animals no matter where you live or what happens. So please if you have even a glimmer of an interest in being involved or if you just want to come and say good aye in person please put your hand up now.

Lesley and I will be in Canberra on the 17th of August for a couple of days to attend the roundtable meeting with the RSPCA for the MDBA. While we are there it would be good to meet up with anyone who might be even a little bit interested in being involved with MDBA Pacers. In case you are not aware as yet we are in the process of helping people to set up and be involved in their own clubs under the MDBA Pacers banner as chartered clubs. [sort of similar structure to Rotary or apex etc] This will mean we can help people more effficiently and effectively when they strike natural or personal disasters. It also means we can keep the fundraising from the local communities within those communities. The vision is to have an MDBA Pacers club close to you to help out with you and your animals no matter where you live or what happens. So please if you have even a glimmer of an interest in being involved or if you just want to come and say good aye in person please put your hand up now.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/08/06/tibeta...00000-in-china/ Meet the Tibetan mastiff. This breed can measure up to three feet tall and weigh up to 180 pounds. And in China, these dogs are all the rage. The pups are considered holy — legend dubbed them the guardian dogs of Tibet. Their presence is said to help humans' health and security. But mostly, they seem to be a status symbol for Chinese millionaires, according to a report on The Today Show. (See pictures from behind the scenes at the Westminster dog show.) One couple said they forked over $600,000 for their mastiff, named Yangtze River Number Two, and transported him to their home via a fleet of Mercedes sedans. Their dog was worth the price, they said, because of his pure bloodline, which is extremely rare. (Wonder how Yangtze River Number Two would look with multicolor fur.) After all the money spent, these dogs may not have the qualities to be a perfect pet. Though loyal to their owners, they can be vicious to strangers — and all that hair must shed like crazy. Plus, they're used to breathing at high altitudes, which is a problem for those living at sea-level locations in China. Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/08/06/tibeta.../#ixzz0vs0uBHSF

Regarding Jaxx’sbuddy. I just wanted to say about a year ago I received a phone call from Jaxx’sbuddy who gave me some basic advice on strategic planning and how we could implement some things with MDBA Pacers and this had a powerful impact on how we have moved forward. So Jaxx’sbuddy I’m quite sure you would have no idea of the impact you had on me and how that made a difference to the way MDBA Pacers has grown and developed. Because of that conversation we have literally been able to move mountains I never even had an idea existed.We have been able to help a lot of people and their animals and we have set the scene for us to one day have thousands of MDBA Pacers clubs throughout Australia. You asked me that day where I wanted it to go and what our goal was and my answer was I wanted MDBA Pacers to be the animal welfare charity of choice and now I can see it really is achievable and I wanted to say thank you. Thank You Julie

Introducing a mandatory licensing scheme means that anyone who wants to breed a dog and be able to sell one will need to be licensed. Historically this means that a high percentage of these people will play the game in order to get what they want but they will already be devising ways of dodging what they have agreed to do. Data coming from the UK would back this up as they are saying there has been minimal impact since the beginning of their licensing system some 10 years ago and those who are less likely to comply with the law have found more ways of avoiding detection. Licenses would cause a person who is breeding one or two litters per year to come under the same fees and require the same set up etc as someone who breeds hundreds of litters each year. A more preferable method of tracking who is breeding how many and where is available via the microchip system. We see breeders who only vaccinate one male and one female from each litter and photocopy the certificates to go home with all of the puppies, we see breeders who forge vet signatures, change dates etc and some breeders vaccinate their own dogs and issue their own certificates of vaccination. Some breeders register an extra bitch for every pup they keep to enable them to breed every season and still register their litters. These issues need to be taken into account with any regulation of sale proposals as anyone who wants to circumvent the laws will find ways of doing so. Again make it law and only those who are already doing the right thing will do the right thing. 3.Tightening of export provisions for sale of puppies overseas Currently breeders who sell puppies en masse’ to overseas export do not own the dog at the time it is exported. This is why even though ANKC codes of practice state that puppies should not be exported until 12 weeks of age thousands of registered purebred pups go our annually to an overseas pet shop at the age of 8 weeks. The breeders sell these pups to a dealer [ in this case Transpet] who then owns the animal and the pup is exported via Sydney the following day. It enables the registered breeder to remain within their codes of conduct and still be able to utilize this as a method of moving their puppies in bulk for high profits. Purebred and cross bred puppies which are sent out via a dealer in Perth to Asian pet shops are purchased without any paper work ever showing who the breeder is, with the agent paying for air fares from the eastern states and payments made via a bank account to get them to Perth with no requirement for microchips etc. Dealers who visit the breeders’ properties in at least NSW and Victoria that I am aware of and take out litter loads of puppies pay cash and on sell the pups to export. No paper work ever changes hands. These dealers make it very easy for those who are breeding dogs without wanting any involvement in the sale to the owners and who want to remain under the radar to make a very lucrative living. These breeders are the most likely to be those who do not and will not comply with any laws or codes as they avoid selling to the public, advertising or selling to pet shops. Some may also sell to pet shops but in limited numbers in comparison to those which are sold to dealers. It is our belief that the export of puppies to overseas pet shops is the most contributing factor in animals being produced for sale in bulk without the need for anyone knowing where they come from or how they are produced. This is a multi million dollar enterprise with everyone involved having the potential of making large profits. The breeder, the dealer, the transport company, the vets, aqis and the various State Canine Associations all make a lot of money from exportation of puppies each year. It will be a huge task to try to introduce legislation which would see no puppies being exported until 6 months of age and impact so much on the ability for these to trade freely in an international market place. In this month's canine journal one breeder exported 9 litters. The CC wont issue the export pedigree tyill they are 8 weeks old - big deal! By then they are already in their new homes. The Solutions. 1. The microchip system. We believe that part of the solution lays in tweaking current microchip laws which are now in place in NSW and introducing that nationwide. We feel that whoever is responsible for the dog at the time it whelps should be recorded on the microchip details including those who whelp puppies from a rescue situation as well as breeders. Currently anyone who sells a pup to a pet shop, or dealer is able to sell the dog without a chip and therefore the breeder’s details are never entered on the registry. The dealer or the pet shop do not ever show on the chip details either as the dog is not chipped until it is chipped into the new owners’ name. If these exemptions were removed council could then see who is breeding dogs, whether the numbers they have registered ads up of registered parents to puppies produced and it would enable accurate statistics to be available. This would tell the dog’s story from birth to death and enable us to identify who is breeding dogs most likely to be dumped, who is breeding dogs which are sold to pet shops and export etc. It would give us addresses of breeders and owners and has the potential to do that much better than a licensing system ever could. Buyers could be fined for purchasing dog without a chip and breeders fined for selling them. When puppies and dogs are advertised they should be advertised with their chip numbers. Those breeders who are members of groups such as the MDBA and AAPDA which have an opt in membership with entry criteria, codes of conduct and methods of policing their members should be supported and given the same opportunities for recognition by government bodies as is now conferred on the purebred show dog breeding associations even though their focus is on the people who breed dogs rather than a stud registry. The MDBA also have opt in rescue members who are accepted after they meet certain criteria, agree to a code of conduct and are watched and policed which ensures our members are not part of the other problem which sees dogs suffering under the banner of rescue [and breeding] where hoarding is part of the risk factors. However, no law, will do what it is intended to do unless there is the ability and motivation to police it and considering mandatory micro chipping was introduced in NSW in 1998 and there are still breeders from all groups who sell puppies without microchips to the public and dogs which are not chipped still coming into NSW pounds this does not instill confidence that any new laws will be much more than scoff laws for the people it is most aiming to control.

the bill wasn't going to include registered breeders and the goverment was completely by-passing us all, so the VCA set up a govt liaising area/department or whatever you want to call it to be up with all government policies and bills so we get included in on current laws being written and being in the loop. no the bill wasn't stopped but it was modified to include us. yeah it included you alright!

Well perhaps they should re consider how much money the CC's make each year from export certificates which are issued to their breeders to send whole litters of puppies out to over seas pet shops.

O.K. Here's a start. Here

Not yet - want to have a go at it?

Sparky Im coming after you now.

My concern is that even if a miracle happened and a new Canine Association were to set up - by the time they get enough umph its going to be too late as they are sold out already. I stand back and I watch periodically how a couple make a move to making it happen and then it dies out because they fight to the death before they even get it off the ground. Purebred breeders have this crazy belief that they are better than anyone else and they are immune from being pushed out .They beat their chests about puppy farmers but they dont see that they are held in as much if not more contempt than those they think are the targets. The MDBA is doing all we can to best defend our members but they wack into us and beat us about to try to chase us off too as if we are the enemy. Give them a new org and they wont join anyway.

There is something going on in the back ground. The Bateman report in the UK was being watched with much anticipation and the recommendations in it were welcomed by all of the welfare orgs I'm aware of. In that the main recommendation was for an independent body to oversee all canine related activities. This would see the CCs answering to an independent body which assessed what could and could not be used in breed standards, what could and could not be done pretty much across the board - not just in breeding but showing, training and all other things we do with our dogs. Pretty much the basic message was - its time now for the CCs to sort out whether they are going to be nothing but a stud registry - which is what they started out to be or whether they would be more focused on welfare. The threat of course is that if they dont show they are making decisions based on welfare that they will be considered incapable of making decisions on whats best for dogs and they will answer to a higher power. So what is happening now which seems to be in quick succession across the board may be about showing that they are able to take these things into their own hands. However, this is folly and its kind of like feeding crocodiles where they get a little bit closer each time and make you think you're safe before they eat your arms off.

You know for me breeding has been a passion almost like a religion. Ive enjoyed the thrill of it all and the opportunity its given me to grow a little ,learn about science and nutrition, natural pet care and I have had a fair buzz out of knowing Ive made so many families happy as well as being able to brag about the occasional champ. Maybe Im just getting old but it sure doesn't feel like the hobby of breeding dogs is anywhere near the fun it used to be. I truly believe that rather than making it more difficult to be a registered breeder it should be made easier. I think the more we breed - well the less demand their will be for pet shop pups and the like. My dogs live as well as my kids do and I'm arrogant enough to believe I'm capable of making decisions on what is best for my dogs without every tiny detail being dictated to me by people who seem to be on a mission to shrink the gene pool of our breeding purebred dogs and control us more with our dogs than we are with our kids. Its bad enough when a bunch of idiots in government think they know whats best for my dogs but its starting to erode my passion to know that the very people who should be standing up to them are backing us into a corner.

Look Im sorry but the fact is the law says when you find a dog you cant keep it and try to find its owner - you have to take it to the pound. the reason for that is that most peopel looking for a their lost dog will make the pound their obvious first port of call. Not much point it getting stuck into the Ranger. Like it or not its the law and its the Ranger's job to follow that. We cant have it both ways. We constantly complain because the laws we already have are not being policed and then when they are we have a howl about it. They didnt fine her - they told her what the law was and what she needed to do. O.K. I agree the end result is the council get more money for fining the owners if it goes to the pound but these are state wide laws and its not the council or the Ranger in this case who need to be under the gun - in my opinion. Ceilidh is right - she was beaten up when she came here to tell of how she had done the same thing as this lady . The laws says it goes to the pound

Colleen I think a group is definitely setting up in your area or at least your old area - not sure where you are now - so Im sure they will be able to use your help.

Ive sent you a PM

the fact that you want to have a go is good enough - we'll walk you through it The clubs will go in MDBA Pacers[Your Suburb] club

MDBA Pacers www.mdbapacers.org.au is an Australia wide professional charitable organization committed to preventing cruelty to domestic animals (mainly dogs, cats and horses) when they are in emergency situations as a result of their owner's hardship caused by personal or natural disasters. Our Company number is 134977334.We are registered as a charity and have deductible gift recipient status. There has been lots of work going on behind the scenes for MDBA Pacers with much to get through. As from the 1st of August 2010 membership to our Top Dog level of membership will be by invitation only. Those of you who are already there or who join before the 1st of August will be considered foundation members and not have to pay any further membership fees for as long as you want to remain members. This is happening for several reasons. One is that soon we will be setting up MDBA Pacers groups all over the country.We already have around 10 getting ready to go. We have almost finished the administrative things we need to be sure that we have covered all of the bases. As a result, the Top dog membership will be drawn on for group leaders and various other roles and help. Another is that we need to be able to be as sure as we can that those people who we bring in to be in our most responsible positions locally and at state level are of good standing within their local communities. On the whole these people will be chosen from the basic level of membership or nominated by people who are already. Top Dog Members.There are more reasons which will become obvious soon. So those becoming top dog members after the 1st of August 2010 will only become members by invitation and there will be a higher member fee and a yearly membership fee. Those already top dog members by the 1st of August will not need to pay yearly membership fees. If anyone has been thinking about becoming a Top Dog Member you only have today to do so to gain these benefits. Things you should know The goal is to have thousands of locally based MDBA Pacers Clubs. All autonomous but working as a huge team. These clubs will be helped to register as non- profit incorporated associations in their own states under the MDBA Pacers Charter. These clubs will be chartered by MDBA Pacers with particular requirements written into their constitutions and by laws. These pertain to the use of the MDBA Pacers name and logos, support and resources but they also ensure that the club will operate as a charity with the same core values and operating bases as the Parent group. It also streamlines such things as insurance protocols and legal issues to ensure everyone is covered and protected. One major requirement which should be noted is that clubs will be required to set up two bank accounts or to distinguish between deposits via their accounting process. • Funds for administration and activities must be kept separate through book-keeping or two accounts • Administration Account – These are funds from memberships fees, dues, fines, and internal funds and internal fundraising. – Funds can be transferred from this account to the activities account • Activities Account – These are funds raised from the public. These are funds which are raised where the public has a perception that these funds will be used for the sole benefit of the community – The funds in the activities account cannot be used for administrative purposes. – All money from the public goes back to the public – 90 % of net income generated from local fundraising is to be used for local community needs. – 10% of net income generated from local fundraising is deposited monthly with MDBA Pacers National Office to be used as a national disaster reserve fund for use for the wider Australian community where required in the case of a widespread natural disaster, for use in areas which as yet have not established a local community MDBA PACERS Club or where more funds than the local community currently hold are needed on a case by case basis to help your Club's local domestic animal owners in need. There is an election for an exemption for this if it is determined the particular club community is in a higher need phase. MDBA Pacers will not use this fund for any administrative expenses and 100% of these funds will held to be used for the public as the need arises. So now you have this basic info and you can see more clearly what we have in mind the question is – Is anyone interested in giving it a go ? Even a little bit of involvement is good.

There has been lots of work going on behind the scenes for MDBA Pacers with much to get through. As from the 1st of August 2010 membership to our Top Dog level of membership will be by invitation only. Those of you who are already there or who join before the 1st of August will be considered foundation members and not have to pay any further membership fees for as long as you want to remain members. This is happening for several reasons. One is that soon we will be setting up MDBA Pacers groups all over the country. We have almost finished the administrative things we need to be sure that we have covered all of the bases. As a result the Top dog membership will be drawn on for group leaders and various other roles and help. Another is that we need to be able to be as sure as we can that those people who we bring in to be in our most responsible positions locally and at state level are of good standing within their local communities. On the whole these people will be chosen from the basic level of membership or nominated by people who are already. Top Dog Members.There are more reasons which will become obvious soon. So those becoming top dog members after the 1st of August 2010 will only become members by invitation and there will be a higher member fee and a yearly membership fee. Those already top dog members by the 1st of August will not need to pay yearly membership fees. If anyone has been thinking about becoming a Top Dog Member you only have today to do so to gain these benefits. Join Now Things you should know The goal is to have thousands of locally based MDBA Pacers Clubs. All autonomous but working as a huge team. These clubs will be helped to register as non- profit incorporated associations in their own states. These clubs will be chartered by MDBA Pacers with particular requirements written into their constitutions and by laws. These pertain to the use of the MDBA Pacers name and logos, support and resources but they also ensure that the club will operate as a charity with the same core values and operating bases as the Parent group. It also streamlines such things as insurance protocols and legal issues to ensure everyone is covered and protected. One major requirement which should be noted is that clubs will be required to set up two bank accounts or to distinguish between deposits via their accounting process. • Funds for administration and activities must be kept separate through book-keeping or two accounts • Administration Account – These are funds from memberships fees, dues, fines, and internal funds and internal fundraising. – Funds can be transferred from this account to the activities account • Activities Account – These are funds raised from the public. These are funds which are raised where the public has a perception that these funds will be used for the sole benefit of the community – The funds in the activities account cannot be used for administrative purposes. – All money from the public goes back to the public – 90 % of net income generated from local fundraising is to be used for local community needs. – 10% of net income generated from local fundraising is deposited monthly with MDBA Pacers National Office to be used as a national disaster reserve fund for use for the wider Australian community where required in the case of a widespread natural disaster, for use in areas which as yet have not established a local community MDBA PACERS Club or where more funds than the local community currently hold are needed on a case by case basis to help your Club's local domestic animal owners in need. There is an election for an exemption for this if it is determined the particular club community is in a higher need phase. MDBA Pacers will not use this fund for any administrative expenses and 100% of these funds will held to be used for the public as the need arises. So now you have this basic info and you can see more clearly what we have in mind the question is – Is anyone interested in giving it a go ? Even a little bit of involvement is good. --------------------

Reminding you guys about this - so far we have 7 or 8 new clubs coming together !

Well said and I agree completely. We are slowly losing any ability to make decisions about our dogs or a breed, but isn't this what PETA wants? No more breeders/purebred dogs or pets at all? Food for thought..perhaps it's not RSPCA flag that is flying at Dogs Vic, but a PETA flag...... The Batemen report recommended that all dog activities should come under the banner of one independent welfare group and people who I had conversations with including some responsible for the pedigree dogs exposed issues are pushing for us to go that way. In other words an outside group which would dictate what we can and cant breed , what breed standards are acceptable and what breeds should be made extinct etc Im not going into how likely I think that all is but I think there are a lot of politics being played out behind the scenes in the dog world. Id also be interested to see a copy of what Sylvia powers address to the recent puppy farming meeting with the RSPCA and rescue groups in Victoria was.

There are two major factors here One is that Id like to see the evidence that this is associated with health risks. Just because some of us think it might be the case doesn't make it so. But the very biggest deal for me is that the decision on whats best for any bitch should be left up to the breeder and their vet. Every time you turn around there are more and more regulations which are bought in because of a PR campaign which make no scientific sense and it implies we are all idiots and cant make the best decisions for our own dogs. For me its like agreeing that we are a bunch of idiots and we need to be controlled.