Rspca Comes Knocking

[angelsun]

An RSPCA officer came knocking at my door yesterday after having been given a complaint about me. It involved a photo posted on Facebook of a dog bred whilst living in Canada, with cropped ears, and wearing tapes, sitting on my back deck. The information attached to the photo said who the dog was (litter brother to another very well known dog in my breed). This pup was born in 2006.

Through a series of events, this photo was taken to a vet (clearly one working with the RSPCA) who said that the dogs ears had not been cropped, and that the 'popsicle' sticks in the ears were to make the ears stand up. The story also was that the dog came from Texas to Australia and in the mind of the person that submitted the complaint, I had illegally cropped this dogs ears.

Now this whole thing was in fact quite funny and I'm not bagging the RSPCA officer as he's just doing his job.

First off....the dogs ears WERE in fact cropped. Not sure how ANY vet could miss that....The sticks were actually boning used in the making of corsets..a popular material those of us that cropped, used to train the ears to stand, as it was light weight and flexible. The dog was born at my home in Canada (litter brother to the famous one) and was in fact sold to a lovely man in Texas who was starting Uni. His parents ended up looking after the dog and falling in love and when 'son' graduated and had to move, they kept the dog. When the father's work presented a move to Australia, I was contacted to ask if I thought the dog would handle the flight and quarantine. To my knowledge, two years or so ago, this dog lives now north of Sydney.

When the officer was invited around to inspect, we showed him our four large dog yards. (about 30meters square) and the large shelters in each one. Two of my dogs are in yard four, because they are in season and need to be separated to avoid any accidental matings. Both are docked as both are imports. We gave him copies of the import pedigrees and vet records showing the tail procedure. We invited him into the house, which he first decline but we insisted...as he warmed by our wood heater, he commented on my series of double decker crates for sleeping, and when he was told that 7 dogs slept inside (five at the moment as the two in heat had to stay in the yard with their kennel enclosure, multiple blankets, raised beds and a heat lamp on 24/7) he commented that the house didn't have any smell of dog.

Upon leaving, he stated twice, and most strongly that should there be another complaint, he will not return to our home....clearly he assumed there would be as many that issue idle complaints, if they don't get the answers they want, will try again.

The man was polite and commented that we had shown him and given him far more access than most would. He's just doing his job, and I had nothing to hide.

There was no cropped ear dog on the premises, nor where there any docked dogs without the appropriate paperwork. What a shame that the person that complained ends up with no satisfaction....

For the person that submitted the complaint, and although I don't have 100% proof of your identity, I'm well on the way to getting it.....sorry to spoil your 'trashing' party....you, like anyone else is more than welcome to come and visit my dogs, see how they are homed and cared for.

I was advised to remove the photo in question from my FB kennel page..I declined. In fact, I"ve since posted more photos of dogs I"ve bred with *gasp* cropped ears and/or ear tapes showing. I have never hidden the fact that I like a cropped ear and docked tail. Many wrinkle their nose with disgust, but for generations of never either living with a dog like this, nor even in most cases seeing one in the flesh, these people truly have no right to chastise me for my choice in look. I believe in the historical look of my breed. It's animal right fanatics that have taken MY breed and changed it's look which has been so for hundreds of years because THEY feel they have the right to tell me that I am cruel and uncaring.

Never once, in the time I cropped (and remember, this was ALWAYS done with a vet in sterile conditions and with the best of equipment available) unlike some currently still doing it in the states with outdated meds and on the kitchen table, did I have any ear infections, and wound infections or subsequent ear issues at any point in the dogs life....the same can not be said for others that negate the procedure and are running to the vets for drops and ear canal surgeries.....

Anyway, at the end of the day, I had to giggle about the visit and the purpose why.....once again, a person with both too much time on their hands, and too much vindictiveness in their heart. I am slightly concerned however that a vet working with the RSPCA did not recognise a cropped ear as such....if something so simple as this was missed with this photo (shown below) what else would this vet misdiagnose when involved in a rescue or abuse case?

[Wazzat Xolo]

An RSPCA officer came knocking at my door yesterday after having been given a complaint about me. It involved a photo posted on Facebook of a dog bred whilst living in Canada, with cropped ears, and wearing tapes, sitting on my back deck. The information attached to the photo said who the dog was (litter brother to another very well known dog in my breed). This pup was born in 2006.

Through a series of events, this photo was taken to a vet (clearly one working with the RSPCA) who said that the dogs ears had not been cropped, and that the 'popsicle' sticks in the ears were to make the ears stand up. The story also was that the dog came from Texas to Australia and in the mind of the person that submitted the complaint, I had illegally cropped this dogs ears.

Now this whole thing was in fact quite funny and I'm not bagging the RSPCA officer as he's just doing his job.

First off....the dogs ears WERE in fact cropped. Not sure how ANY vet could miss that....The sticks were actually boning used in the making of corsets..a popular material those of us that cropped, used to train the ears to stand, as it was light weight and flexible. The dog was born at my home in Canada (litter brother to the famous one) and was in fact sold to a lovely man in Texas who was starting Uni. His parents ended up looking after the dog and falling in love and when 'son' graduated and had to move, they kept the dog. When the father's work presented a move to Australia, I was contacted to ask if I thought the dog would handle the flight and quarantine. To my knowledge, two years or so ago, this dog lives now north of Sydney.

When the officer was invited around to inspect, we showed him our four large dog yards. (about 30meters square) and the large shelters in each one. Two of my dogs are in yard four, because they are in season and need to be separated to avoid any accidental matings. Both are docked as both are imports. We gave him copies of the import pedigrees and vet records showing the tail procedure. We invited him into the house, which he first decline but we insisted...as he warmed by our wood heater, he commented on my series of double decker crates for sleeping, and when he was told that 7 dogs slept inside (five at the moment as the two in heat had to stay in the yard with their kennel enclosure, multiple blankets, raised beds and a heat lamp on 24/7) he commented that the house didn't have any smell of dog.

Upon leaving, he stated twice, and most strongly that should there be another complaint, he will not return to our home....clearly he assumed there would be as many that issue idle complaints, if they don't get the answers they want, will try again.

The man was polite and commented that we had shown him and given him far more access than most would. He's just doing his job, and I had nothing to hide.

There was no cropped ear dog on the premises, nor where there any docked dogs without the appropriate paperwork. What a shame that the person that complained ends up with no satisfaction....

For the person that submitted the complaint, and although I don't have 100% proof of your identity, I'm well on the way to getting it.....sorry to spoil your 'trashing' party....you, like anyone else is more than welcome to come and visit my dogs, see how they are homed and cared for.

I was advised to remove the photo in question from my FB kennel page..I declined. In fact, I"ve since posted more photos of dogs I"ve bred with *gasp* cropped ears and/or ear tapes showing. I have never hidden the fact that I like a cropped ear and docked tail. Many wrinkle their nose with disgust, but for generations of never either living with a dog like this, nor even in most cases seeing one in the flesh, these people truly have no right to chastise me for my choice in look. I believe in the historical look of my breed. It's animal right fanatics that have taken MY breed and changed it's look which has been so for hundreds of years because THEY feel they have the right to tell me that I am cruel and uncaring.

Never once, in the time I cropped (and remember, this was ALWAYS done with a vet in sterile conditions and with the best of equipment available) unlike some currently still doing it in the states with outdated meds and on the kitchen table, did I have any ear infections, and wound infections or subsequent ear issues at any point in the dogs life....the same can not be said for others that negate the procedure and are running to the vets for drops and ear canal surgeries.....

Anyway, at the end of the day, I had to giggle about the visit and the purpose why.....once again, a person with both too much time on their hands, and too much vindictiveness in their heart. I am slightly concerned however that a vet working with the RSPCA did not recognise a cropped ear as such....if something so simple as this was missed with this photo (shown below) what else would this vet misdiagnose when involved in a rescue or abuse case?

aint that the truth! Thanks for sharing!! Vindictive people are everywhere, really they should volunteer for charity with all that time they have!

[Alyosha]

Very nice to hear that it went well and was conducted sensibly. From both sides...

The vet opinion is sadly not surprising. Sad how little basic knowledge of purebred dogs that some vets have. I know someone that took their Borzoi to a vet and when one of the staff asked what he was the vet replied "A staghound cross". Where's Mr Rolly Eyes when I need him.

[Jed]

There are some lovely people in the dog world, but unfortunately, there are toads too. Now there are memebers of the public who suspect that most things breeders do are cruel. But well done.

[Stolzseinrotts]

It is sad to hear this. There are some very sorry and sad souls in the dog world, and it is most disappointing.

Glad all went well and the RSPCA inspector had some idea and was happy to be educated.

However the Vet that had no idea is a worry....but honestly and sadly not surprising.

[indigirl]

That vet is a worry

After owning my first boxer who has repeatedly split his tail from wagging it too hard I am soo in favour if docking. My poor boy has had a bloodied split tail so many times yet the vet still won't dock it. How is it crueler to dock his tail than have him split it all the time?

[Dogsfevr]

The vet down the end of the street that is full of idiots was treating a friends pup.this pup had been docked legally & had all the correct paperwork.

Dog was been treated for some issue & this wasn't said persons normal vet but one of those rush to the closest vet kind of deal.

Vet said pup must stay over night & friend didn't think twice as logic said pup needed to be on fluids.

Friend went to collect pup next day .clinic said no ,friend was okay .

The next day came friend phoned up regarding pup & was told alot of porkies & she went down & insisted on seeing pup & wanted to now what was happening .

The clinic was holding the pup as it was docked,when friend got home 3 RSPCA cars where waiting .

Long story short these idiots thought they where above anyone else & could do what they felt like with a clients dog no questions asked.

RSPCA then escorted friend to clinic where all the paperwork was shown to vet staff who still weren't convinced they did anything wrong so don't even trust your vet or above all there staff to dob you in .

This clinic wasted the RSPCA time & embarrassed the owner & the pup was caught in the middle .Friend had to fit clinic over the bill & the clinic left pup on fluids to long & the leg was so swallon it wasn't funny.

We had a traditionally docked breed & fully support the practice if we could.

Indigirl there are vets that will do it problem is many vets have no clue how too ,Ask the boxer club if they have suggestions on a vet who is more open minded if it becomes a bigger issue.

After a while the tip will die to the point you can just snap it off by hand

Our Show Grey had to have her tip removed .

[Alyosha]

Indigirl in my last litter I had a pup born with a broken tail. No option but to dock it (or euth, but I wasn't prepared to). The vet docked it at a few days old when dewclaws were done.

The procedure was recorded on the vet's system. He then had to do a form for Dogs NSW to declare the dog "legally docked", which I was supposed to send to Dogs NSW to have his papers amended to reflect. Even though he was on Limit reg that was supposed to be done before sale or transfer. It wasn't complicated.

I actually didn't follow up on the Dogs NSW records as pup found a pet home in Hawaii where his tail is an oddity but certainly not an illegality. :laugh: