26th January 2011

Yesterday I picked up a member of Welfare from Kings Cross station who was staying with us for the night to enable her to attend the meeting at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. I knew that although involved with SBT Welfare she was also an eminent show judge for Staffordshire Bull Terriers. What I did not know was that she had twice won Crufts for Best of Breed in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier category. Driving home, my mouth ran away with it's self telling her that I did not care if my dogs were not a Stafford, they were mine and I loved them. I know that they are not show standard but there are two types of Staffords those that conform to show standard and those that do not. Many of the dogs that come into rescue are those that are not of show standard but are never the less a Stafford. She confirmed,  that she has two hats her show ring judging hat and a breed hat.

Alison and I knew that there was another person attending the meeting who we had heard only deemed a dog a true Stafford if it was Kennel Club registered so it was good to hear that this was not her opinion.

The day had come for Alison and I to attend Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for the meeting on the  Staffordshire Bull Terrier problems. After trying to put Alison at ease on driving to Battersea, I found myself slightly apprehensive about travelling there by train, albeit not that far, something that I had not relayed to Alison so this will be the first that Alison knows about it!

Travelling by train I arrived first, followed shortly by Alison's text to say she was not far away. I saved the seat next to me but in the next seat to her sat ' The Person'. I was worried by this and when Alison arrived I silently mouthed to her who it was!

The meeting was underway The Chair opened with an out line for the meeting stating that it was called to discuss the current situation with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and how those attending viewed the situation.

Members of Stafford Welfare, East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, The Breed Council and Battersea were of one voice. The overwhelming numbers coming in, rescues full of Staffords, the lack of homes, the situation exacerbated with people unable to find rented accommodation that will accept a dog and local councils and housing associations telling owners that dogs are no longer allowed in other words the dog has to GO!

The discussion proceeded to the identification of a Stafford and Stafford X's. I for one get confused when looking at Battersea D&C Home re homing website as some I would deem  a Stafford that they call a cross, some I would say are a cross and they deem them a Stafford! This was explained that if they come in as a Stafford or as a Stafford X they have to remain as per their description due to the data base enabling owners to re claim their dog. However, it was agreed that many X's would benefit from the omission of  'Staffordshire Bull Terrier' due to the stigma and perception of those who do not know the breed.

 I do not recall as a child or throughout my life until recently that dogs were called a X of a specific breed, only that they were a mixed breed or mongrel. In fact growing up in London it was always deemed that a mongrel was the most faithful dog you could get.

Ali Taylor of Battersea informed us of their education program with schools, on dogs and anti social behaviour with dogs, showing us a video that they have produced including interviews from various people that have been affected. It was effective and those that live in a large city situation would be able to relate to it. I for one have seen certain aspects of what happens with young youths meeting up with their dogs on my local common all of which have been Staffies or X's.

The outcome of the meeting ended on a buoyant note with all agreeing to work in partnership creating a Staffordshire Forum with those present at the meeting, on a regular basis to move forward with momentum. Smaller rescues do not carry the weight or the resources that Battersea have, thereby opening doors to a far wider audience. Agreement by all, of all dogs to be micro chipped as a legal requirement. This could be used instead of a dog license as most responsible owners automatically have their dog micro chipped and would not therefore be penalised if this was to become law, where licensing would inevitably be. Battersea will undertake to put an article together for their Paws magazine, which is distributed to people that have re homed a dog, donate and is available on their website. The Stafford problem is now on such a large scale it cannot be rectified all at once but if we can chip away bit by bit hopefully we will see a light at the end of the tunnel.

To end the visit we were taken for a tour of the Battersea site visiting the various dog areas. Dogs taken in as strays and those being handed in by their owners are kennelled in a separate block here.They spend the legal required seven days before they can be placed for re homing, during which time the police will assess any dogs that could come under the dangerous dog's act. As we were walking through the corridors of kennels  none were barking most were happy to see us with tails wagging, paws up on the bars with eyes pleading for a kind word and a stroke, a few were confused and withdrawn and unsure of why they were there. It seemed endless and this was only one floor, there were two other floors just like this one it brings home the enormity of their workload.

 Any euphoria that I felt quickly diminished, a category one notice (Dangerous Dogs Act) was on the door of the pen here was a puppy aged 3 - 5 months still with its milk teeth, eyes so bright and happy yet it had a death sentence. The only way this young puppy a Pit Bull was leaving Battersea was not in the arms of a new owner but a lethal injection and in a bag to be cremated. I could no longer hold back the flood of tears I know that this is the only option for the puppy BUT this should not be happening. This dog did not ask to be born but bred by those for money,  who have no consideration that in doing so they already sentenced the dog to death, who will go on breeding with the mother for as long as there is a market or she can no longer produce a litter. Anger at the people responsible for breeding her. I question, is the Dangerous Dogs Act working? I have never seen a Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino or Fila Braziliero. Pit Bulls, yes, with the Dangerous Dogs act it has increased the breeding of these, including crossing them with other breeds. Whilst they remain banned some will want one just because they shouldn't have one and thereby the Dangerous Dogs act has created a status dog.

Battersea assess the dogs suitability to be re homed, this is not by one assessment if found that they have problems they will work with them and a more senior assessor will assess the dog before a final decision is made. Sadly some dogs do have to be put to sleep and it is not something that is done lightly.  Battersea is no different to any  rescue, they have a duty to the public and those people and families that they re home dogs to.

The re homing block are those dogs ready for a new home, here the problem is evident with the majority being Staffords and Stafford X's, other  pure bred breeds are increasing at Battersea but the main influx are our beloved breed.

Raised to elation and then deflated we all have had enough and depart our separate ways. For me even as I write this I can still see the little puppy in my mind and will always remember her. This time next week she will no longer be here. God bless you little one.

Alison and I thank Ali and everyone at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for arranging the meeting and their hospitality.

 Thoughts written by Valerie