Thursday, 8 July 2021, 11:05 am
SPCA is urging dog owners, particularly those living near
lifestyle blocks, to take extra care and keep track of their
pets at all times, as early lambing season gets
underway.
Every year sheep and lambs are injured or
killed by roaming dogs in attacks that are not only
traumatic for animals and people involved, but are often
completely avoidable through responsible dog
ownership.
With 175,000 lifestyle blocks nationwide
and rural properties continuing to grow in popularity, SPCA
Scientific Officer Dr Alison Vaughan says it’s important
for dog owners – particularly those living in rural areas
– to make sure their dog is secured and unable to
SPCA is urging people not to smoke or vape near their pets, as research shows second-hand smoke and nicotine from e-cigarettes can have serious health effects on animals, just like humans. New Zealand’s largest animal welfare charity is warning .
A veterinary clinical pathologist, who has looked at cases in New Zealand, agrees, and wants owners, especially of small dogs, to know the risks. “Even if it can save one dog or prevent one dog from needing hospital treatment,” says Dr Julie Tomlinson. The issue first emerged about 10 years ago when animals in the United States and Australia got sick after eating imported dried jerky dog treats. Products imported from Asia and sold in New Zealand include dried beef, chicken, duck and turkey jerky treats.
David Unwin/Stuff
Dr Nick Cave, an animal nutrition specialist at Massey Veterinary School, says he doesn’t feed the treats to his own dogs.