CANINE BRUCELLOSIS - Page 1

This is a very important subject we should ALL be aware of and how dangerous this is to our dogs and our families -

Dear Member

Please take the time to follow the link below and read the article. Wag has been warning the authorities about the potential threat of such diseases being brought into the country for the past 6 years. A Canine Brucellosis epidemic is without doubt a tragedy for the puppies concerned but the bigger picture is that these puppies could find their way, through the greed of vile beings, into the homes of our families here - yes here! Read the article carefully, this would not only be a canine disaster but a human one also. For your childrens sake, your dogs sake - for your sake, this trading must stop now! Write to your local council , show your concern, ask them why this trade continues. The Sunday mail has just highlighted Liz Baird, late of Hillbank, still selling puppies (South Ayrshire). Steven Hamilton has planning permission for boarding kennels (East Ayrshire). It is a disgrace.

Regards

Liz T

http://www.dspca.ie/news_item.php?number=1771&type=News&archive=No

Waterside Action Group (WAG) is a charitable organisation set up to eradicate the vile trade of puppy farming, through education of the general public and exposure of the perpetrators of this cruel practice. Scottish Charity No. SC034462. Web Site http://www.wag-ayrshire.org.uk
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The article is printed below -

Dublin SPCA and Ulster SPCA warn of potential canine brucellosis epidemic
3rd May 2009


DUBLIN SPCA AND ULSTER SPCA WARN OF POTENTIAL CANINE BRUCELLOSIS EPIDEMIC

- PUPPY BREEDER CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF DISEASE – DEPARTMENT MUST TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO PREVENT ITS SPREAD
Dublin, 3 May 09: Information received from reliable sources has led Dublin SPCA Animal Welfare personnel and their colleagues from the Ulster SPCA to visit a puppy farm in Offaly to investigate reports of a potentially devastating outbreak of a virulent disease amongst animals kept on the premises. Canine Brucellosis (Brucella canis) poses a public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Humans may develop a serious liver impairment or arthritis.

The farm, near Moate, is one of Europe’s largest mass breeding establishments and churns out thousands of so called ‘pedigree puppies’ each year to meet demand in Ireland and the UK for ‘designer dogs’.

The operators refused cooperation on the visit but reluctantly confirmed the presence of Canine Brucellosis. This is a highly contagious bacterial disease and will now be endemic amongst the hundreds of dogs and pups currently on the farm or recently exported from it.

There is NO vaccine or effective treatment for this disease and it is likely the farm will require depopulation. The outbreak clearly has potential welfare and economic repercussions in the Republic and it is imperative animals are not removed from this farm until their health status has been assessed. Both the Dublin SPCA and ISPCA have contacted veterinary authorities in the Republic to request an immediate quarantine of the premises.

In the absence of any effective welfare legislation North and South both the Dublin and Ulster SPCAs are constantly warning the puppy buying public of the pitfalls of buying dogs from unknown sources. This outbreak emphasizes our many warnings; the puppy farming industry in Ireland breeds both dogs and disease and must be properly regulated.

Jimmy Cahill, Chief Executive, Dublin SPCA said: “We are calling on the Department of Agricultur

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Jimmy Cahill, Chief Executive, Dublin SPCA said: “We are calling on the Department of Agriculture or Department of Environment to take immediate action and quarantine this puppy farm to prevent any further contamination of the canine population in this country. We anticipate that this breeder will start moving animals off his premises today thus escalating the spread of this virulent disease. Every hour increases the risk of a countrywide Canine Brucellosis epidemic. This health risk is an inevitable result of the antiquated legislation in this country which allows inhumane over-breeding to continue.”

Stephen Philpott, Chief Executive, USPCA: “Puppy farming in Ireland, unlike most European countries, has no regulations governing its practice. In the absence of effective legislation in both the North and South the USPCA is constantly warning the puppy buying public of the pitfalls that can lurk in an apparently innocuous looking ad offering them the puppy of their dreams. This outbreak underlines our countless warnings; the puppy farming industry in Ireland, fuelled by greed, breeds both dogs and disease and must be properly regulated.”

Dublin SPCA and Ulster SPCA are jointly issuing warnings to their colleagues in the RSPCA, Irish and UK Kennel clubs and Veterinary Council of Ireland as well as Government Departments. Minister for the Environment John Gormley must introduce dog breeding regulations first promised by the department in 2006.