Government & Legislation

Jun- 2018 -

13 June

New import rules on Caudata to come in July

New EU rules on the import of Caudata amphibians such as newts and salamanders are being introduced to the UK on 1 July. The new rules seek to stop the spread of the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). The European Commission had initially proposed introducing a complete ban on the…

13 June

Dog owners face £75 fine as beach walkers banned

A new rule has been brought in to stop dog walking on the UK’s busiest beaches with those ignoring the rule risking a £75 fine. Individual councils have set their own rules regarding which beaches can and can’t be walked on. It is thought that the new rules have been…

8 June

Disciplinary committee suspends Republic of Ireland-based vet from register

The disciplinary committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has suspended a Republic of Ireland-based veterinary surgeon from the register for a period of two years after he was convicted of 34 charges related to prescribing veterinary medicines. Gary Adams was convicted at Gorey District Court, County Wexford,…

8 June

London Assembly votes for mandatory scanning of run over cats

The London Assembly unanimously agreed on a motion to ask the London mayor to push for the mandatory scanning of all deceased cats collected from the roadside. This motion follows a campaign by feline road safety charity CatsMatter which proposed to see a change in law to fine drivers who…

1 June

‘Good dog’ to be put down following court ruling

A dog deemed ‘dangerous’ by Worcester Magistrates Court has been ordered to be put down after it escaped through a hole in a garden fence and attacked another dog. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s teenage owner was heard during the ruling, sobbing: “He is a good dog. I can’t believe they’re…

May- 2018 -

30 May

Pets’n’Vets Family backs bill to stop irresponsible dog breeding

The Pets’n’Vets Family, the network of veterinary practices with surgeries around Glasgow and surrounding areas, has backed the launch of a member’s bill to the Scottish parliament aimed at calling a halt to puppy farming. Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, has called for tighter regulations to…

25 May

Tech startup ‘staunch’ supporter of Lucy’s Law to go to war with puppy farmers

A new tech startup has been awarded £200,000 from Jenson SEIS and EIS Fund 2017/18 in early stage investment in order to launch a new platform that will combat puppy farming. Tailwise, will match dog buyers with responsibly bred dogs in order to “improve animal welfare in the UK through…

24 May

Three quarters of recruiters ‘don’t see any value’ in apprenticeship levy

According to new research three quarters of recruiters see ‘no value’ in the apprenticeship levy. The research conducted by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) also found that fewer than half are currently using their levy funds, or planning to do so in the next 12 months. Samantha Hurley,…

24 May

RCVS disciplinary committee tells college to remove ‘dishonest’ vet

The disciplinary committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has told the registrar to remove a Suffolk-based veterinary surgeon from the register for “dishonesty, clinical failings and poor record keeping”. Dr Horia Elefterescu appeared before the committee from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 17 May 2018 with seven charges…

24 May

Dog theft sees sharp rise

The number of dogs stolen across Britain has risen by 6.8 percent in just 12 months, according to new research. Direct Line figures show an average of five dogs are stolen every day in the UK. Last year 1,909 dogs were reported as stolen to police, compared with 1,788 reported…