Yesterday I spent the day with Rod Mason, TVBC's Dog Warden, hearing about the work he does to help Test Valley residents and dogs.
Part of his role is to make sure all the licensed premises are up to date with their checks and I really enjoyed our visit to Country Pooch at Ridge, seeing the amazing facilities they have there for the dogs in "day care". With dog ownership having massively increased over the last few years there is more demand than ever for that sort of service, and it was great to see the effort that goes in to keeping the dogs entertained.
We also went over to Three Oaks Kennels in Bishop's Waltham to see some of the strays that have been picked up locally. There was a heartbreaking story of a little cocker spaniel bitch who had been used for puppy breeding and then abandoned. If I could have popped her in the back of Rod's van and taken her home there and then I would have done! It was very clear for the dogs in the kennels that it was no sort of life for them.
I am very conscious there has been an increase in dog attacks, and an explosion in the ownership of XL Bully type dogs, which to be blunt are no sort of pet. I am not necessarily a fan of breed specific legislation, and really do hold to the view that behavioural issues are more likely to do with owners than dogs. But there is more action needed to make sure owners are held accountable and helped to make better decisions about dog ownership.
