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PET CEMETERY
Now the practice is making a comeback with an increasing number of pet owners seeking burials with their favourite cats, dogs and horses. Planners in Lincolnshirehave approved the latest in a series of joint animal and human cemeteries where masters can be interred close to their beloved companions rather than being cremated. A handful of joint cemeteries even allow pets and owners to be buried in the same plot. The trend has been accelerated by the growth in non-denominational 'natural' sites for humans that use biodegradable coffins and often have woodland settings without rigid lines of plots or fixed headstones; such layouts make it easier to add pets. Penny Lally, who runs a pet crematorium, cemetery and 'woodland burial place' in Penwith, west Cornwall, has laid to rest more than 30 owners alongside their animals since she began allowing joint graves in 2003 and has more than 120 forward bookings. Among her best customers is animal lover Carole Mundy, 54, who has reserved a plot for herself and her husband Robert right next to their 17-year-old golden retriever, Dylan, who was buried there in February 2008. She has also pre-booked a nearby space for Merlin, her Irish thoroughbred. "As well as being the best dog in the world, Dylan was a fantastic friend and I don't see why he shouldn't have the same resting place as me," she explained. "Nothing makes me more angry than people saying 'it is only a dog'. Animals give you unconditional love, they don't reprimand or judge you. "We are always taking in more. Merlin was rescued from Romania where he had been terribly mistreated." The human resources consultant, from south-east Cornwall, has spent £2,800 on the plot for Dylan, herself and husband Robert and £650 on reserving space for Merlin. Her other dogs Sir Lancelot, Queen Guinevere and Sir Galahad are also expected to find themselves in the same cemetery. "All the burials will take place in a wicker casket. I never wanted to be cremated and when you look at the cost of a conventional funeral it isn't a great deal different," she added. "Some think you're screwy but they need to realise what a difference animals can make to people's lives." Wendy Pratt, manager of the Tarn Moor Memorial Woodland 'natural' burial suite near Skipton, North Yorkshire, said one woman was interred in the joint pet and owner area because "she just liked cats". "There has been more interest in joint burials recently because people are starting to realise it is possible," she said. An estimated 1.5 million dogs and cats die every year, according to the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria. Some 300,000 are buried in the garden, 1,000 in pet cemeteries, 100,000 are individually cremated and the rest incinerated as clinical waste. Unlike human cemeteries, Britain's 19 pet burial sites require regular inspection by the Environment Agency acting on behalf of the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs. Only a handful of those offer joint burials, the first of which began in Rossendale in Lancashire in 1995. Cremation is a cheaper option, usually costing between £75 and £200 including the urn, and makes it easier for owners to be buried with their pet as no extra ground plot is required. Elaine Pendlebury, a veterinary surgeon with animal charity PDSA, said: "It is something that wouldn't have been considered 30 or 40 years ago but we are hearing of more occasions where owners want to be buried with their pet. "For many, the grieving process for a pet is no different to losing a member of the family, particularly given that pets bring such a structure and routine to people's lives and company for older people on their own." She added that bereaved pet owners could, for a suggested donation of £25, have a special tag displayed in the charity's Paws Forever Pet Tribute Garden in Ilford, east London. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt thought nothing of being buried alongside mummified cats, monkeys and birds because they believed animals shared an afterlife with humans. Anglo-Saxon nobles were usually interred with their possessions, and warriors with their horses. A 1991 excavation at Sutton Hoo found a grave pit containing a young man and a stallion. The practice fell out of favour as the rise of Christianity saw pet rituals attributed to paganism, although the 19th century saw the creation of a pet cemetery in London's Hyde Park complete with tombstones. "The exemplary fidelity of the dog triumphed, in Victorian sentimental culture, even over death," said Dr Philip Howell, a fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, who is an expert on Victorians and their pets. He said Lord Byron had asked to be buried with his Newfoundland dog, called Boatswain, at Newstead Abbey but this never came about. The romantic poet wrote Epitaph to a Dog for the animal, which died of rabies in 1808. The most notable example is that of Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful terrier that kept constant watch over his master's grave in the yard of Greyfriars Kirk for 14 years. When Bobby died in 1872 he could not be buried within the cemetery itself, since it was regarded as "consecrated" ground, and was instead laid to rest just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from his owner John Gray's grave. APPEAL REJECTED SAN FRANSISCO USA September 2, 2010 Appeals court upholds murder conviction in 2001 San Francisco dog attack A state appeals court has upheld the second-degree murder conviction and sentence of 15 years to life for a San Francisco woman whose dog fatally mauled her neighbor in 2001. A Court of Appeal panel ruled Friday that Marjorie Knoller, 55, "deliberately engaged in behavior that was a danger to human life" when she took her two powerful Presa Canario dogs into the hallway of her Pacific Heights apartment building on Jan. 26, 2001. The dogs, Bane and Hera, attacked and killed Knoller's neighbor, lacrosse coach Diane Whippple, 33. Whipple suffered 77 wounds on her body and lost one-third of her blood, according to trial evidence. The finding that Knoller had a conscious disregard for human life provided the basis for a judgment of second-degree murder and the sentence of 15 years to life. Knoller was convicted of second-degree murder in a 2002 trial, but the original trial judge, Superior Court Judge James Warren, granted a new trial on the ground that it wasn't clear that she knew her conduct was likely to result in death. After further appeals, the California Supreme Court weighed in on the case in 2007, saying that the correct legal standard in such cases should be whether a defendant had a conscious disregard for human life. A new trial judge, Charlotte Woolard, then ruled that Knoller's conduct met that standard and affirmed the original conviction. In Friday's ruling, the appeals court said Knoller's dogs were dangerous to human life and acted with a conscious disregard for human life" by taking uncontrollable dogs out into the public. Knoller and her husband, Robert Noel, who were law partners, were caring for the dogs for a prison inmate, Paul "Cornfed" Schneider, and had registered themselves as owners in early 2001. Schneider, whom the couple adopted as their son three days after the attack, was a member of the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood prison gang and was planning a guard dog business to be called "Dog-O-War." Noel, who was not present at the attack, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Knoller could appeal again to the California Supreme Court and then in the federal court system. Her lawyer on appeal, Dennis Riordan, was not immediately available for comment. Deputy California Attorney General Amy Haddix, who represented prosecutors in the appeal, said, "I think the court did a good job of disposing of the issues." TAKE A TOUR WARWICKSHIRE ENGLAND September 1, 2010 TAKE A TOUR OF THE KENNEL CLUB BUILDING |
RESTRICTED ACCESS Irish propose laws to restrict dog walking access A PROPOSED law giving local authorities the powers to restrict dog walkers’ access has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This means that councils will be able to make an order for a standard offence to apply to land within their area. “Now is the most effective time for dog walkers to make their views known. BRITAIN'S NAUGHTIEST DOG UNITED KINGDOM September 2, 2010
Do you have Britain’s Naughtiest Dog? Whether you have a boisterous Boxer, a snappy Shih Tzu or a lunging Labrador, Bark Busters is here to help. The world’s largest and most trusted dog training company is launching a search to find and train Britain’s naughtiest dogs. Renowned for its dog friendly positive training techniques, voice tone and body language, Bark Busters is launching the campaign in a bid to help educate the UK’s dog owners on responsible dog ownership. To enter all you have to do is describe in 200 words or fewer why your dog is ‘Britain’s Naughtiest Dog’ you can even send in a video of them at their worst! Simply log onto “Britain’s Got The Naughtiest Dog” www.bgtnd.co.uk to find out more and for full terms and conditions. Nine regional finalists from the North, South and Midlands will be selected by a panel of Bark Busters experts and three will be put forward to the national final where one will be crowned ‘Britain’s Naughtiest Dog’. The winner will receive: • Gold Training Programme with a lifetime guarantee, worth over £450 Two regional finalists will receive: • Silver Training Programme with 12 months guarantee, worth over £300 Six regional shortlists will receive £100 voucher to be redeemed against Bark Busters Home Training. The closing date for entries is 31st October 2010 and the winner will be announced no later than 15 November. “Dogs who misbehave need a strong leader. They need clear structure and boundaries to channel their natural pack instincts so it’s important that our family pets are trained to understand and respect the rules we set out for them by their owners. Bark Busters successfully trains and corrects the behaviour of hundreds of dogs and owners every week and we’re hoping the ‘Britain’s Got the Naughtiest Dog’ campaign will encourage greater responsible dog ownership. “Dog attacks have increased by 60 per cent over the last ten years and we are hearing more and more about ‘dangerous dog’ attacks in the media. Thankfully as part of this campaign we haven’t encountered anything like that but there is a serious message here; responsible ownership and training, for both owner and dog, can prevent these aggressive incidents and save lives.” For further information about Bark Busters dog training techniques visit the website at www.barkbusters.co.uk
For further information please contact Claire Murgatroyd or Rebecca Jones on 01772 421 442 or email claire@mtjpr.co.uk • Bark Busters’ dog behavioural therapists are renowned authorities in the area of correcting dog behaviour. VICTIMS OF WEAPON DOGS LONDON ENGLAND September 1, 2010 Victims of weapon dogs call for an end to 'horror story on London's streets' Two victims of suspected “weapon dogs” today told how they and their pets were savaged by the animals in separate attacks in London. Barrie Hopcroft, who is blind, was shopping in Elephant and Castle with his guide dog Bailey, a nine-year-old labrador-retriever, when they were attacked by a pitbull in July last year. Mr Hopcroft, 42, needed 24 stitches to his hand and was in plaster for eight weeks after trying to fight the animal off. Bailey suffered deep puncture wounds to the neck but survived. In another case, Munever Ibrahim, 57, was left lying in a pool of blood after trying in vain to save her Yorkshire terrier, Chippie, from a Rottweiler and Staffordshire terrier crossbreed that had attacked him three times before. Ms Ibrahim was working in her tailor's shop in Finsbury Park when she saw the dog grab Chippie by the neck and shake him “like a rag doll”. As she ran to save her six-year-old pet, she was bitten by the animal, whose owner, she claimed, was simply “standing and watching”. Ms Ibrahim said: “I was hysterical. My finger was hanging off and I didn't even notice. At first they thought they'd have to amputate. I was just so concerned about Chippie. I wanted to save him, but I knew he was dead — he died in my arms.” She spent two days in hospital after the attack in June. Mr Hopcroft and Ms Ibrahim were among the first to sign a petition today demanding action from the Government on dangerous dogs. Kit Malthouse, the deputy mayor for policing, is organising the petition, which calls for tougher penalties for owners of dogs that are out of control and legislation to let police seize dogs after attacks on private property. He said: “Everyone recognises there is a problem but, oddly, it does not seem to be a priority for the Government. "If you put all these cases of attacks together you get a horror story that is unfolding on the streets of London and other cities.” Animal welfare organisations, including Battersea Dogs Home, and park wardens attended the campaign's launch in Battersea Park today. Mr Hopcroft said the owner of the dog that attacked him was laughing during his ordeal. He said: “It took about three months before Bailey was back to work, meaning I was virtually housebound. Now every time I hear a pitbull bark I jump.” Ms Ibrahim said: “People shouldn't be allowed to have dogs that are weapons. Drug dealers and criminals use them to intimidate people.” The dog that allegedly killed Chippie was seized by police and its owner, a 34-year-old man, was last week charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act. It is not yet known whether or not the animal will be put down. The Government is reviewing the Act and has asked for views on how to improve the law.
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PDSA fundraising campaign THE PDSA has launched a new fundraising campaign to encourage animal lovers to donate their leftover holiday change to the charity. Collection tins bearing Carol and Jess’ photograph have been put in PDSA’s charity shops and PetAid hospitals across the UK, making it easy for people to donate their spare holiday change. NEW ACT NEEDED LONDON ENGLAND September 2, 2010
DUNDEE DOG ATTACK REAFFIRMS THE NEED FOR ROTTWEILERS ATTACK SCHOOLGIRL DUNDEE UNITED KINGDOM September 1, 2010 Rotties attack child A 33-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a rottweiler attack on a schoolgirl in Dundee.
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