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The
Kennel Club and Pro Dogs get ready for the launch of ‘UKDOG’
– for the benefit of all UK dog owners
The Kennel Club and PRO Dogs are pleased to announce the launch
of UKDOG at Crufts 2003, which will provide guidance to encourage
dog owners to form regional groups with a view to defending their
rights as responsible owners. Initially it will be the intention
of UKDOG to advise owners regarding the Countryside and Rights
of Way Act (CROW), although the remit will be extended to other
‘anti-dog’ issues.
This initiative follows the highly successful campaign in 2001
by the New Forest Dog Owners’ Group (NFDOG), whose proactive
committee gained significant progress and successes in lobbying
against the Forestry Commission’s attempts to implement parts
of the CROW Act on New Forest land, to the detriment of dog walkers
in the New Forest area.
The Kennel Club and PRO Dogs have been involved from the inception
of NFDOG’s activities and continue to share their concerns
about the effects of the CROW Act across England and Wales, if
dog owners do not have their say at the earliest opportunity of
the process. A similar stance will be taken in Scotland when access
provisions in the Land Reform Bill are implemented.
As well as advising dog owners, UKDOG plans to meet with various
bodies who have an interest in this issue such as the National
Trust and the RSPB, with a view to more clearly understanding
their position and working with them to ensure that as far as
possible, dogs are not further discriminated against.
UKDOG also aims to make the countryside more accessible to dog
walkers by exploiting provisions in the CROW Act, that can make
local councils take action against the thousands of illegal blockages,
restrictions and threatening notices that remain along public
paths.
Official figures from the Government’s Countryside Agency
show that dog walkers meet a "serious problem" on nearly
every mile of path they try to use; current delays in putting
things right particularly discriminates against the less agile
and people with assistance dogs.
UKDOG also intends to provide speakers for presentations on issues
of concern such as the CROW Act and will make available to newly
established UKDOG groups the training, information and tools to
help them cut through the red tape and make things happen. It
also welcomes contact from dog owners eager to establish their
own groups and will help them to do so.
Said Mike Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of PRO Dogs, "The
anti-dog lobby in the media was the primary reason for the founding
of PRO Dogs some 26 years ago and we see the setting up of UKDOG
as key to future local lobbying activity. There is a need for
vigilance and for information-gathering on a local level which
can then be used centrally in our continuing fight for dogs’
rights in the UK - locally, regionally or nationally. Of course,
every area and each group of dog lovers will vary, but it takes
just one motivated person to start the ball rolling.
.The first step is for dog owners to let us know the key issues
in their areas; we’ve devised a questionnaire that will be
available on the PRO Dogs stand at Crufts - Hall 4, Stand No 12
- to help them do just that, so that UKDOG can then best meet
their needs."
Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club added, "We would
encourage dog owners to take the time and trouble to set up a
local group as it will bring huge benefits to dogs and owners.
We have learnt from the experience of NFDOG that local politicians
and professional bodies will listen and act if the weight of protest
from local people is sufficient and we recommend that those interested
contact the UKDOG Secretariat between 9am – 5pm to find out
how they can become further involved. It will be the ultimate
intention of UKDOG to become active on a broad raft of issues
which will provide a voice for dog owners the length and breadth
of the country, so that we can protect and promote the rights
of dog owners."
Caroline concluded, "For all those attending Crufts 2003
with an interest in this issue, please do attend the PRO Dogs
stand to register your interest and we will then contact you after
the event."
If readers would like a ‘welcome pack’ from UKDOG, which
includes advice on establishing local Dog Owners Groups, please
contact the secretariat, UKDOG, 4 New Road, Ditton, Kent, ME20
6AD, Tel: 01732 848499, Fax: 01732 842175, e-mail: reception@prodogs.org
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