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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Issue: 22/03/2024

Getting around crufts

I always enjoy Crufts both as a chance to show my dog and as a good day out looking at things that may be new for my dogs and as a chance to replace things like grooming equipment. 
The only problem I have with Crufts is that it’s very difficult to get around if you use a mobility scooter and there are a few exhibitors who seem to resent those of us who have to use a scooter. Believe me, we wish we didn’t have to use them and that we were capable of getting around without them, I’d be in extreme pain by the end of the day without mine. 
Perhaps next year people could be made more aware of disabled people and also mobility scooters users could be asked to make sure they use the scooters carefully as I do. 
Some people get a bit bloody minded and tolerance should be exercised on both sides.
Yours etc
Julie White

Not alone

I am sure I am not alone in supporting for the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recent decision to launch a formal market investigation into the veterinary services sector. As a concerned owner, I believe this inquiry is crucial for ensuring fair pricing and transparency within the industry.
The CMA’s preliminary review has highlighted several concerns that I am sure resonate with the experiences of many owners. The lack of accessible information on pricing and prescription costs has often left me feeling uncertain about the financial aspects of my pet’s care. The potential overpayment for medicines and treatments due to weak competition in certain areas is particularly troubling.
When I go into a shop to buy something or even when I am paying a tradesman for a service I will know, or they will tell me, how much it is going to cost. It seems like madness to me that a vet can get away with not letting you know how much they will charge. They know that an owner will pay whatever they ask because they will do anything for their dog.
The consolidation of the veterinary sector has caused so many problems and my vets, which was an independent, has been taken over by one of these large groups and you can see how their attitude changed. Suddenly, it became more money driven and less about caring for the animals.
It was good that the CMA chose to engage with pet owners and veterinary professionals, gathering over 56,000 responses that underline the public interest in this matter. It is evident that the regulatory framework needs to be revisited to reflect the current market dynamics and ensure it serves the best interests of both consumers and the veterinary profession.
I urge the CMA to consider the implications of concentrated local markets and the practices of large corporate groups that may be detrimental to competition and choice. A thorough investigation is necessary to address these issues and to develop measures that will enhance transparency, affordability, and fairness in the veterinary services market.
Vets argue that there is no NHS for pets and as private health providers they have to charge for their services. As someone used to the NHS for my care (I even have an NHS dentist!) I do appreciate that argument but I do feel that they do overcharge and make the most out of their customers.
Yours etc,
Fred Purtill

TV for the masses? 

I do not know what others think but we got an excellent “behind the scenes view” on social media from Vince Hogan’s videos on Sunday evening interviewing Crufts BIS Judge Ann Ingram and Crufts Chairman Tom Mather, and it was great. 
Lovely to see how Ann was to the point about how so many Terriers were of such good quality than it could have been of any of 5. And that when she walked in to BIS, she actually said she was not sure whom should get BIS so it proves the quality of the dogs from all over the world that we have at Crufts when someone as experienced as Anne is having to really think.
But I always feel each year that the TV coverage is more for ‘the masses’ and it’s a shame that the Our Dogs team are limited in what they can show at Crufts by the TV companies, as OUR DOGS speaks our language.
It reminds me of an incident at Westminster a few years ago when a Group winner in BIS was owned in a consortium as is the way in US, exited the ring. The BIS Judges wife co-owned the dog. They entered the ring and did the lap of honour and shook all each other’s hand and they left the ring. The US TV Channel who owns the rights to WKC tried to stop this until it was explained to them by the AKC about “Showmanship”. The channel did back down.
In my view, the Vince interviews were great to watch with two knowledgeable individuals talking and many informed individuals would be watching and not have it dumbed down for the TV Channels. 
As Ronnie Irving said the other week, Crufts is still just a dog show where they give out CCs etc and we get Vince and crew wandering round doing video interviewing us and taking photos for our world at just about every other show in the world… why not allow some of this during the show? 
So great to see a behind the scenes view for us dog people, exhibitors, that we would never see if it was ONLY done by the major TV channels.
Yours etc
Joseph Palamedees 
Lee-Brown

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