The work of the Dog Welfare Review Board has moved forward on three fronts since our exclusive story in last week's issue.

Firstly, a new website has been created which sets out the Review Board’s objectives and its plans for the development of the non-statutory advisory board, which the Bateson Report suggested as being the best way forward to ensure that all parties involved had access to the best advice on dog breeding.

Secondly, work is also proceeding on a formal constitution. It is envisaged that the Advisory Council will be established as a company limited by guarantee. As it will be a non-statutory independent body, the intention is that it will be funded by donations collected and managed on behalf of the Advisory Council, probably by a separate charitable body, similar to that used for the Companion Animal Welfare Council. Discussions regarding this are underway.

Thirdly, arrangements have been made to advertise for a Chairman of the new council. The information regarding the appointment on the website tells us that both the Chairman and members will be appointed to the Council for their personal knowledge and expertise, and not as representatives of any interest groups. The member’s range of skills and expertise likely to be required will include the practice of dog breeding, quality assurance and enforcement schemes applicable to dog breeding, the epidemiology of inherited disorders in dogs, the genetics of disorders in dogs, small animal veterinary practice, dog behaviour and socialisation issues and the effective communication to, and education of, the public and other parties in order to encourage desired behavioural change. The post has been advertised in The Times.

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