Common culprit

I have a two-year-old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier who scratches a lot and her skin is a bit flaky. She just looks so uncomfortable, poor thing. My vet has confirmed she doesn’t have mange and has suggested it might be an allergy to an ingredient in her food, so I have changed brands but this hasn’t had much affect.

A friend at training suggested I try an elimination diet to see what the cause might be. Could you tell me if you think this will help, and if so, what are the common culprits as I think I should begin with one of those?

Ms Sanders, by email

Gone with the wind

I know this is not a nice subject but I do need some help for my dog and the ambiance inside my house! She is prone to passing wind quite a bit and it really does not make for a nice environment. I already feed her a premium range canned food.

Please help!

Mrs B. Coles, Edinburgh

If you’re on the banned list, you’re not coming in

We’re looking at going camping this summer for our family holiday in Europe, either in France or Germany and have started the process of getting our Staffie a pet passport. A friend has says she thinks Staffordshire Bull Terriers might be a banned breed in Germany. Is this true, and if so, where can in the EU can we take our soppy dog, who is very well socialised, camping with us?!

Karen Parks, by email

All aboard?

My husband has been offered a job in Australia. It’s something we’re having to think long and hard about as a family, and one of the considerations is our five-year-old Pug. I’ve heard it’s difficult to travel with a Pug and other brachycephalic breeds due to airline restrictions, but she is part of our family. Can you tell me my options?

Dogs Today reader, via Facebook

Cabin fever

When I was delayed for nine hours (!) at a Tenerife airport after a summer holiday, I saw a lady boarding a plane bound for Madrid holding a carry case containing her dog. It was toy breed-sized, but I’m not sure of the actual breed. I’ve never seen a dog in the cabin on a flight in the UK. Are the rules preventing this? This lady was going from Spain to Spain, so perhaps Spanish internal flights have different rules. I’d be interested to know.
Thanks,

Kate Conway, by email

Falling foul of the law?

I attended a seminar by a dog law specialist who said not all assistance dog were exempt from clear up after their dog and that it is only Guide Dogs. How can someone in a wheelchair clear up after their dog? I have an assistance dog and most times I find it totally impossible.

It seems unfair that assistance dogs registered by one particular charity should receive special treatment over those trained by other, just as reputable charities.

Can you clarify the law?

Name supplied, via Facebook

Philip Biggs, Assistance Dogs (UK) Access Group, advises…

Dog Control Orders are made under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

Dog Control Orders replace the previous system of byelaws for the control of dogs, and also the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, which has been repealed.

The Dog Control Orders (Prescribed Offences and Penalties, etc.) Regulations provide for five offences which may be prescribed in a dog control order:

(a)   Failing to remove dog faeces;

(b)   Not keeping a dog on a lead;

(c)   Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer;

        (d)  Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded;

        (e)  Taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land.

Dog control orders provide exemptions in particular cases for registered blind people, and for deaf people and for other people with disabilities who make use of trained assistance dogs.

Anyone with any type of assistance dog is not subject to a Dog Control Order excluding dogs from specified land (d) in respect of his or her assistance dog.

Anyone (assistance dog user) other than a registered deaf person (whose disability will not prevent him or her from being aware of and removing dog faeces) is similarly exempt from a Dog Control Orders on the fouling of land (a)

These exemptions are not relevant to the other three offences which can be the subject of dog control orders.

It can be seen from the above that all assistance dog users are exempt from removing their dog’s faeces other than deaf people who use trained hearing dogs (this is assuming the deaf person is not also registered blind or has any other additional disability that would prevent him or her from removing their assistance dog’s faeces).  All assistance dog users are exempt from any Dog Control Order which excludes dogs from specified land.  Assistance dogs spend a very substantial part of their day under close lead control or in harness, it is vital for their wellbeing that they are able to have free running exercise during the day. Exclusion from land may place assistance dog users at a substantial disadvantage if they are unable to travel to land which is not subject to a dog control order.

All assistance dog users are not exempt from (b) (c) and (e) above.

Assuming liability?

Is it true that dog coats designed to warn others that a dog is nervous, in training, or aggressive, for example, could be seen as an admission that an owner is aware there is a problem, and could be used against them in the event of an incident?

Or, would it work in the owner’s favour and be seen as an attempt by the owner to improve the dog’s sociability and warn others away?

Does it make a difference if the only signs are a yellow ribbon or blank coat, as opposed to a coat or lead that states ‘warning’ or ‘dangerous’?

Where does the law stand on all this, and will it change when the new laws come in?

Ren, via Facebook