The UK Government has now, after twice successfully fighting the changes, succumbed to pressure from the E.U. to “Harmonise” us with their regulations. Why should we lower our standards – surely, they should be aiming to achieve our Rabies free status?
There is substantial evidence that 3-5% of pets fail the bloodtest. These animals are kept out of the UK. From Jan 2012 no bloodtest is required so they will be here!
The incubation period for Rabies is, on average, 35 days. After January 1st 2012 pets will be allowed onto our streets just 21 days after vaccination.
These new regulations don’t just mean changes for pets coming into the UK – it means drastic changes to all of our everyday lives, we need to be aware that pets we are meeting on our streets and in our parks may be carrying Rabies. Do you know how to spot it? Not the classic “Mad Dog” symptoms you automatically think of, those are not displayed until it’s too late for your pet to be treated.
A person does not have to be bitten by a rabid animal, transferal of saliva by a lick on a cut/graze/scratch will do it.
2010-2011 there were 6120 hospital admissions for dog bites. 1010 of these were children under ten. Minors are the most vulnerable to rabies – can our already overstretched NHS be expected to cope with inevitable additional demands?
Where did your cat go yesterday – Did he meet another cat that is incubating rabies?? Today you don’t worry – January 1st it could be fatal.
Where have the dogs come from that your dog plays with in the park, have they just got off a plane or ferry? Are they carrying rabies or some other nasty disease?
If we get a rabies outbreak – Even a suspected one – your dog can be seized and even destroyed.
What happens to our pets when they are seized – DEFRA won’t confirm.
There approx., 20 million dogs and cats in the UK. How would it be possible to vaccinate them all if there was an outbreak?
What would happen to those that couldn’t get vaccinated – Culled?
The general public need to know about this – they are being kept in the dark – it will be too late by the time they become aware.
A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST IS ALL THAT’S REQUIRED
- IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
1 comment:
If rabies should get into this country and it was in your locality can you imagine the chaos that would happen and how it could affect you. If it turns out to be like the debacle we had with foot and mouth the knee jerk reaction will be heartbreaking. Imagine your pet, that has never met with or had any contact with the rabid animal, but because it is in the same locality has to be culled. Just think about it. We are lucky the way it is now, under current rules, but if it changes it could be terrible. And remember we are all at risk, so will you be so free with your affections to pets - probably not if there is a risk. It will change our attitude to animals I am sure. I for one would hate that to happen.
4 September 2011 14:52
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