From past experience we know that we cannot rely on our European neighbours.

In 2005 Germany was accused of negligence & incompetence by France for failing to tackle a massive outbreak of rabies that began in the state of Hessen.  The Germans wrongly assumed that the River Rhine would form a natural barrier to stop foxes migrating east. 

The French were furious, having spent millions of Euros on an eradication program.  Other German neighbours were horrified that, having invested heavily in vaccination programs, the rabid animals were free to cross their borders and re-infect/re-introduce this lethal disease. 

Having admitted, just two months after the first reported case, that they had lost control of the situation Germany was told, in no uncertain terms, by the Head of the French rabies laboratory at the Agence Francaise de Securite Santaire des Ailments, that this was just one of a series of mistakes.

Germany, unlike its neighbours, had been using a rabies vaccine that had not been approved by the World Health Organisation.  Not only was the vaccine so temperature sensitive that it easily became ineffective, but it was also known to cause ‘vaccine rabies’ cases, in which the animals actually got the virus from the vaccine.

Vaccine baits were dropped from aircraft and hunters were paid to distribute vaccine blocks by hand.  Neither of these methods proved as effective as the approach taken by the French who dropped the blocks by helicopter allowing the bait to be spread more precisely & also into suburban areas, which is essential.

Despite French concerns the Germans persisted with this approach.  Over nine million baits were dropped & it was believed that Western Europe was no longer at risk.

Despite this belief, there have regularly been confirmed cases in France & surrounding countries.  

Reproduced by kind permission of Dog World 

Very interesting telephone call

I

I contacted DEFRA to ask their advice on how they would deal with a case of rabies.  When I eventually got through, it was obvious there was some consternation at the other end & I was asked to repeat my question.  I spoke slowly, explaining the reason for my request & asked “What will happen if a dog or cat gets rabies?  Will all other dogs & cats in the area have to be culled to stop it spreading?”  The agent on the line asked if I meant “Would we not be allowed to leave the area?”  I explained that the word ‘cull’ meant ‘to kill’, and repeated my question so that it was perfectly clear.  He asked if I would wait while he sought advice from his manager.

Eventually he came back and told me I should go to my vet for advice.  I explained that surely, with DEFRA being responsible for introducing & monitoring the new regulations, they should have plans in place for this eventuality &, as the new law had been in place for some days now, surely somebody must know the procedure?  He asked me to hold again whilst he sought further advice.

When he returned he reiterated that his manager had said to seek advice from my vet as they were not aware of any plans in place. 

So the question begs to be asked:  “What will happen when – and I stress the word WHEN and not IF – we have a case of rabies in the UK?  I guess we shall just have to wait & see……… 

Reproduced by kind permission of Dog World

Views from an ex army dog handler

 A MESSAGE FROM AN X ARMY DOGHANDLER.
I was an army dog handler for 15 years, came out in 1990 and have lived in Denmark, Germany and Norway.  Our borders were tight then.  When we came back to the UK all dogs had to go into quarantine, and these were army dogs. If you lived in Germany you could not take your pets across borders.  There were tight rules in place.  I am sorry but I do not believe in the EU, since the EU rules changed on the continent the borders came under attack by these so called animal traders because they knew the borders were wide open. We are an island and if rabies take should here in the UK our pets and livestock will suffer.   My second dog, I had in Denmark, caught rabies and I had to shoot her.  Please believe me we do not want it here.  I will sign this petition.

Can you help this sweet little chap?

Noname is currently being cared for at Baytonlodge Quarantine Kennels.  So far he has been microchipped, started his vaccination course against rabies & his puppy vaccinations, been wormed & Frontlined.  He will need to be in Quarantine for 8 weeks.  Baytonlodge are willing to cover some of the costs but there is still around £800 needed.  Please contact Baytonlodge at baytonlodge@hotmail.com if you are able to help in any way.

The little fellow that caused the stir

this is the malamute pup that came in to UK and alerted us to the fate of him and his fellow travellers. He is being looked after and vaccinated and will need a home soon. He is the lucky one. He is so young. If you can give him a home contact baytonlodge@hotmail.com Due to how he arrived he is costing money to cover his vaccinations and quarantine. The kennel will ride some of the costs so if you are interested please be aware of this. Good luck little Noname I hear you are very cute and full of character. sign our petition to stop this happening now.   http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27096
read his whole story - scroll down and see what has happened in just 12 days.