Ethos Public Relations Manchester

A dog is for life

by Ethos public relations

Social landlord Hyndburn Homes is urging residents to be responsible pet owners after it was recently involved in the rescue of some very badly neglected dogs.

“In this particular instance the neglect was brought to our attention by a concerned neighbour,” said Jayne Brignall from the company. “The RSPCA carried out an emergency rescue and the animals are now on the way to recovery.”

50% of homes in the UK include a pet of some description and Hyndburn Homes allows its residents to keep domestic pets providing they are kept under control and do not cause a nuisance.

“We take any reports about noise or nuisance from pets very seriously,” adds Jayne. “We also work closely with other agencies to monitor any potentially dangerous dogs reported in our properties and it’s important that all pet owners take their responsibilities seriously.”

Owning a dog for example can cost around £5,000 over its lifetime – and that’s assuming there are no major vet bills. In May this year animal charity The Blue Cross reported a 19% increase in stray and abandoned animals and said that higher insurance premiums, rising vet bills and rocketing pet-food prices were to blame.

“One of the most common complaints we receive is around dog mess,” said Jayne. “If you have a dog, you should be prepared to clean up after it.”

The UK dog population is about six million which produces a staggering 1000 tons of faeces a day and over 350,000 tons of dog excrement is deposited each year in children's playgrounds!

“Apart from being horrible to look at, this unpleasant material very often contains a parasitic roundworm, Toxocara Canis, which can cause blindness in humans,” adds Jayne. “Over 100 people each year are known to catch a disease resulting from this problem, and many of these victims are children. Make sure you take your pooper scooper when you take your dog for a walk.”

Finally warm weather can also cause problems for pets. You should ensure dogs and cats always have access to plenty of fresh water and can go into a cool, shady place.  You should never leave your dog in a car or any pet in a conservatory or even a caravan if it is very hot – the inside temperature can soar very quickly over a short space of time.

Jayne adds: “The Animal Welfare Act means that all pet owners form a legal duty of care to their pets.  If you need help or advice about caring for your pet then contact the RSPCA”

For more news from Hyndburn Homes click here.

Posted at 30^th August 2011