Sunday 4 May – JAMIESON PARK, NEWMILNS, AYRSHIRE – From 11.30 am

WAG are delighted that our event draws near and all plans are in place.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said "this event is important to our Group not only for the funds that it brings in or for the publicity to the cause but also to let people see that you can have fun with your dog. With the current climate where the canine world seems constantly under threat it is brilliant to see the other side of the coin. We look forward to the event and hope everyone has a great time."

At the AGM of WAG on Thursday 20 March 2008 the Secretary, Ken McKie, reported on the past year. He also commented on the campaign suffering from ‘ACNE’? Namely Apathy, Complacency and Non Enforcement.

Ken McKie said 'In my report I have highlighted the ineffectiveness of many agencies. Some of these are accountable to no one in what they do. We have organisations charged with the enforcement of new legislation who can give a thousand reasons why they cannot act but yet cannot give one reason why they can. In some cases the interpretation applied to the law is not what is written. Over and above this there are many wealthy organisations out there with the funds and political ‘clout’ to change this. In many ways the puppy trade can be identified with that of counterfeit goods. Money is thrown at this to stamp it out but yet little or no money is expended in ending the suffering and misery of the puppy trade. All of us should be ashamed of this. Many times I have received reports that certain breeds have appeared on the puppy trade and when this happens all I hear is ‘what is Ken McKie and WAG doing about this?’ But what are they doing about it? It should be every dog lover’s campaign!!!
To be effective we can only focus on one premises at a time whilst attempting to push for investigations and legal changes in other areas. It is time that everyone involved in dogs start looking round at their own politicians locally and nationally and challenging them to end this vile trade. When you get a poor response remember this when elections come round because we do!'

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday 18 March 2008 Mrs Baird of Hillbank Kennels was banned from selling puppies or dogs, which are not fit, healthy and conform to the breed at the time of purchase. Baird bitterly attacked those complaining about her business, singling out WAG for particular attention. Mrs Baird also complained to the court that she was the subject of a ‘witch hunt’ and that Trading Standards were carrying out a ‘personal vendetta’.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said 'Hillbank Kennels and the actions of Mrs Baird have been subject of numerous complaints and this case has highlighted this. As for being the victim of a ‘witch hunt’ Mrs Baird needs to look to her own method of conducting her business which the court, rightly so, have insisted that she changes. What has been amazing to our Group is that a person who is allegedly been declared as bankrupt is still trading. How can she offer refunds when things go wrong? However if WAG are going to be accused of being behind the troubles of any alleged illegal activities concerning the trade of puppy farming we will see this as a compliment. Further to that if anyone is involved in the business of selling sick and dying puppies then they should be worried about our interest. Until this vile trade is ended we will continue to pursue those who would illegally mistreat animals. The great pity about all of this is the length of time it takes for prosecutions to take place. We are also glad that Mrs Baird has chosen to continue her case to trial for other offences, as this will allow the public to judge for themselves as to how she ran her business. We will continue to monitor the situation and where necessary ‘stick our oar in’.'

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WAG welcomes the new Animal Health and Welfare Act. We are also delighted that a number of our submissions have been taken up. However if the current legislation is not implemented how will things improve?

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, 'whilst we are delighted that a new piece of legislation is now on enacted we still have reservations. Many of those charged with enforcing the current legislations fail miserably in this task and sad to say it will still be down to them to enforce the new legislation. How will things improve? We are anxious on this. The Scottish SPCA has mentioned that this gives them new powers to deal with puppy farms. However, they and other authorities have always had powers to tackle these problems. But sadly, they failed to do so. The situation is out of control. Not even local authorities can tell you how many legitimate or unlicensed premises are out there. On numerous occasions we have raised issues with premises where the law is being broken but yet those who are to enforce the law say ‘it wasn’t too bad!’ If you speed over 30 mph you are rightly charged with this. Did this mean ‘it wasn’t too bad’ if you were only doing 35mph? If it is illegal then it is illegal and we will monitor and report all instances where the legislation is not enforced. WAG will never accept ‘it wasn’t too bad.'

The A.G.M. of Waterside Action Group will take place on 20 March 2008 in the Morton Hall, Main Street, Newmilns, Ayrshire.

The meeting will start at 7.30pm prompt when we hope to update our members on the ongoing fight against Puppy Farming.

Make a note of this date and attend if at all possible. Open To All W.A.G. Members

W.A.G. is again hosting a fund raising event at Jamieson Park, Newmilns, Ayrshire on 4 MAY 2008. We hope to have -

• Companion Dog Show – breed and fun classes ... (sponsor a class?)


• Companion Obedience Show - 2 classes ... (sponsor a class?)


• Car Boot Sale ... (bring your wares and set up your table!)


• Tombola ... (Donations welcome)


• Micro chipping ... (Hopefully (yet to be confirmed)


• Stalls, Childrens Play Area


• Catering

On Wedneday 20th June the Wicklow and Dublin SPCA were involved in the rescue and removal of over 76 dogs and puppies, a number cats and chickens from a puppy farm in South Wicklow.

Acting on a tip-off from a member of the public, staff from the Wicklow SPCA based in Sharpeshill Animal Sanctuary, Ballygannon, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, visited the premises in South Wicklow and were sickened and appalled by what they had found.

Realising the scale of the operation Fiona Gammell, Vice President of Wicklow SPCA contacted the Dublin SPCA and asked for assistance in rescuing these unfortunate animals.

At lunchtime on Wednesday 20th June 2007, Inspector TJ Myron, Anne Fitzpatrick, Fiona Gammell and Sandra Eyre of WSPCA from their sanctuary accompanied by Inspector Robert Kenny and Education Officer Orla Aungier from the Dublin SPCA arrived at the location where they removed over 76 dogs and puppies from absolutely appalling conditions.

The dogs were being kept dreadful conditions, ill and unkempt and filthy in their own faeces, held in wire crates or makeshift kennels in cold, damp farm outbuildings, some held inside in dark, wooden crates, barrels and even abandoned cars. The dogs, mostly Yorkshire terriers and crosses were in a very distressed state. There were four females with litters, one such litter of newborn babies were almost missed as they had been hidden in a foul, dark outbuilding that could only be accessed by crawling in a small hole in the wall. Most of the animals did not have access to light, food or clean water.

The dogs are suffering from a combination of health problems, flea and lice infestations, mange, cataracts, overgrown and diseased teeth, bone problems, ear infections and mites, overgrown nails, mammary tumours, dietary problems and a host of other problems.

A number of cats and kittens were also removed from the premises; one mother and her young baby were sealed into a water barrel lying on its side. There was faeces and filth in the barrel and no evidence of food.

It is a disgrace that this grim industry ranks as one of Ireland's darkest, and most shameful secrets. Ireland is one of puppy farm capitals. Here, cheap, poor quality purebred dogs are mass-produced by the hundreds in cages, bitches bred and bred successively until they drop.

All the animals are currently in the care of the Wicklow and Dublin SPCA and are being cared for and assessed by veterinary teams.

The documented problems of puppy mills include over breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality of food and shelter, lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals. To the unwitting consumer, this situation frequently means buying a puppy facing an array of immediate veterinary problems or harbouring genetically borne diseases that do not appear until years later.

Sadly, some dogs are forced to live in puppy mills for their entire lives. They are kept there for one reason only: to produce more puppies. Repeatedly bred, many of these "brood Bitches" are killed once their reproductive capacity wanes.

Once again this appalling episode of dogs bread in this dreadful condition just for profit highlights the very urgent need for proper animal welfare legislation, which animal welfare groups have been demanding and asking for year after year, yet promised but never delivered by this or any other government. This legislation is urgently needed to protect and eliminate this unwanted cruelty and suffering of dogs used just to generate large sums of money for greed puppy farm owners, most of whom we believe don’t pay tax.

Minister Martin Cullen set up a review group about 2 ½ years ago to make recommendations on Puppy breeding, that completed report sat on his desk, until he left the Department of the Environment, and Minister Dick Roche sat on that report also and did nothing with it whatsoever, the Dublin SPCA has already written to Minister John Gormley asking him to act and pass in to law the recommendations as outlined by the review group.

The Dublin SPCA and Wicklow SPCA are urgently looking for permanent homes for many of these animals. If you are interested, please contact Wicklow SPCA at 0404-44783 or Dublin SPCA at 01 –4935502

It came as no surprise that once again East Ayrshire Council failed to do the decent thing and granted a licence to Hillbank Kennels despite their being a number of welfare and trading complaints. More than this there is an allegation that the owner had declared himself or herself bankrupt! The story does not end there. At the original meeting of the licensing committee only four, yes four, councillors remained to discuss this matter. True to form when the vote was split the chair used his casting vote, where have we seen this before? It is worthy of note to the voters of East Ayrshire that Councillor Jim O’Neill, with the casting vote, and Councillor George Smith, who according to the minutes had left the meeting?, pushed for this licence whilst the only other Councillors, who stood up to be counted, John Weir and Isabel Macrae opposed this. Whilst we would not comment on who anyone should vote for but with past history with this Council it would seem that a vote for certain Councillors is a vote in support of puppy farming!!!! We will remind the voters of this

However the audacity of the local authority does not stop there. In an email to councillors an employee, Peter Hessett he advises Councillors that the Local Authority and not they will respond to correspondence sent by WAG to each Councillor, and we thought censorship was dead! When the public elect Councillors they expect the Councillors to respond to them and not the employees. Worse still legal advice was given that the full council meeting could not overturn the decision of the Licensing panel as at a Sheriff Court it was ruled that the full Council could only approve minutes and have no say in decision making. Why bother then with free speech and free elections? Why did no one challenge this ruling or was it that such a ruling suited the employees? It is long overdue that the electorate run the country and not the employees and any Councillor who does not wish to stand and be counted after May 3 is not worthy of your vote!

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said 'we are not surprised at such action as it has always seemed that no one in Council is willing to deal with issues at hand but rather hide and allow employees to decide decision making! The said same employees record the minutes by stating that the seconder to the motion had left the meeting. Worse still a full Council meeting then adopts these minutes! How can anyone who is allegedly bankrupt be allowed to run a business let alone be issued a licence? How do they carry out day-to-day transactions? Further still we hear of more allegations about sick and dying animals where the purchaser has been told to have no dogs in their home for over three months and yet the seller continues to trade?'

'We will never take a political stance as politics have nothing to do with what is right or with true animal welfare however in the case of East Ayrshire Councillors perhaps the electorate should question their candidates as it would appear that some care nothing about animal welfare. We would also thank the decent two, two!, Councillors who tried to do the decent thing, John Weir and Isabel Macrae, and at least their voters will know how they consider these issues.'

Once again WAG is looking for a change in the law. It is not the intention of WAG to bog down the country with legislation but too often many so called puppy farmers can escape justice or making recompense as the law is dedicated more to goods than to animals.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, "As a group we do not wish to prolificate more legislation but we feel that this section of legislation badly needs reviewed. At present anyone buying a puppy requires to make a complaint and have it fully investigated within one year of date of purchase. However many puppies can bear poor resemblance to the breed in question and it is only after a period of time that this may become obvious to the purchaser. Also in many ways to comply with the law the seller only requires to take the property back and give a full refund. These are sufficient and meritable when it comes to a toaster or cooker but not when you are dealing with a living breathing animal, especially when many families may have already built a bond with the animal. In this call for the change to the law we will be hoping that other animal welfare groups take up this challenge with us. For Scotland we should remember that there are elections due and perhaps it is time for the electorate to challenge those standing for election as to their position on all animal related matters. We must remember that votes do count!"

The news that East Ayrshire Council Licensing Committee has again approved a license to a so-called puppy farm, despite complaints, was received with stunned silence and then anger. The licence for Hillbank Kennels was up for renewal despite allegations that the applicant had declared themselves bankrupt! Further there are unconfirmed reports of a large number of complaints yet these were also ignored.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, "to say we were surprised at this turn of events is the biggest understatement ever. The operator of these premises had allegedly failed to pay a refund to a customer by allegedly declaring themselves bankrupt but then apply to continue to run a business. It was our impression that a bankrupt could not obtain credit, hold a cheque account or operate a business and the council is now supporting this. The applicant was apparently represented by a QC, which, if true, is causing further bemusement, where did this money come from? Why do Councils ignore issues such as complaints? Why does it take so long for investigations to be completed? Does this mean that anyone can declare themselves bankrupt and carry on to operate with the blessing of the Council? I hope that those who have been dealt with differently by Councils note these matters and take advice of any action they can raise in respect of these decisions. If further problems were to prevail does that mean the Council can wash their hands of these? It is long overdue that the authorities take heed of such issues and not run and hide at what seems the slightest challenge. What do they have to fear? We will be highlighting this to the voters of East Ayrshire Council and make sure they remember those who appeared to support this. This matter has to be ratified at a meeting of the full Council on 26 April 2007 and we are calling on all concerned public and voters to make their opinion known. Let us see who could be the elected members of East Ayrshire Council that can actually tackle serious issues effectively and not throw their hands in the air and run and hide at the first challenge."

Source: www.victoriastilwell.com

Following the recent death of Ellie Lawrenson and other dog attack victims, there have understandably been concerned calls for more to be done to prevent these tragic situations. I am a mother, and nothing in the world comes before the well-being of my child, so I join in the chorus calling for change. My deepest sympathies go out to Ellie’s family as they cope with this unimaginably tragic loss. I am dismayed, however, by many of the‘solutions’ being considered by local and national authorities which are being encouraged by the media.

As has been proven by recent events, the Dangerous Dogs Act is not an effective piece of legislation. It was a hastily written, ill-conceived, kneejerk reaction to a similar spate of dog attacks in the early 1990s, and is misguided in its well-intended efforts to curb dog aggression towards humans. Most aggressive dogs are aggressive because either their owners want them to be aggressive, or because their owners haven’t provided the environment, training and tools necessary to raise and care for a well-adjusted family pet. Therefore, any government legislation regarding dangerous dogs should first target the true root of almost all dog behaviour problems – irresponsible owners.

I’m not a lawmaker, nor do I profess to be familiar with the intricacies of governance, but I do know that certain general aspects of the Dangerous Dogs Act should be drastically revised. The most important change I think needs to be made is that owners of aggressive dogs should be forced to take far greater responsibility for their dogs’ actions, both in public and private. Imposing stiff monetary penalties, mandatory behaviour modification regimens with accredited trainers, and ultimately removing the dog (without euthanasia) from the delinquent owners are just some of the owner-targeted revisions that should be considered. These types of changes would not only serve to modify the behaviour of already aggressive dogs, they would prevent future dogs from becoming aggressive by forcing more responsible dog ownership. More must be done to severely punish those owners responsible by giving any new dog-related legislation ‘teeth’, unlike the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Another major flaw in the Act is that it focuses on breed specific legislation, altogether outlawing four ‘types’ of dogs in Britain. Any breed of dog can bite. Any breed of dog can be a good pet. It is true that over the years certain breeds have been bred for fighting, herding, and hunting, and unfortunately, certain groups of people seek out these dogs as ‘pets’ specifically for this purpose. For a small, sad, and dangerous sliver of society, it has become ‘macho’ to own one of these dogs, as they consider the animals a status symbol and celebrate and encourage the dogs’ aggression. These people should be the target of the Dangerous Dogs Act, not entire breeds of dog. Having dealt with a large number of drug dealers in the South Bronx who owned pit bulls and other ‘fighting’ dogs, I am aware of how big a challenge it is tackling this issue. Therefore, however, I am also firmly of the belief that if you ban certain breeds, these people will simply move further underground and/or choose yet another breed to glorify, rendering breed-specific legislation useless as it spirals towards outlawing more and more breeds. I’ve fostered and trained countless rottweilers and pit bulls in America (where they are not illegal), and have found them to make very good pets, provided (as with any dog) that their owners are responsible. To continue to support breed-specific legislation is not only unfair to owners and dogs who happen to look like a certain breed, it encourages legislation that ultimately does very little towards achieving the goal of reducing the number of dog attacks in our society.

Several local authorities throughout the country are considering an amnesty, allowing owners of potentially banned dogs to voluntarily turn in their pets to be euthanised. While I assume these authorities believe they would be serving the public’s best interest, I adamantly oppose such amnesties. The Dangerous Dogs Act itself has a difficult time defining which ‘types’ of dog should be banned (the American Pit Bull Terrier is not even a recognized breed in the UK), so what level of competence to correctly determine a dog’s breed can be expected of those local officials overseeing these amnesties? Since news of the tragic death of Ellie Lawrenson, vets are reporting a surge in the number of requests they’ve had from the public to put family pets to sleep, afraid that their dog might suddenly become aggressive as well. An amnesty would undoubtedly accelerate this practice and lead to the death of many well-adjusted, non-aggressive pets. Further, do those proposing these amnesties really believe that those who celebrate the aggression in their truly dangerous dogs will come forward? Common sense tells us that the only ones who will surrender their dogs to the amnesty are those whose dogs have probably shown little or no aggression. I also call on the UK media to begin to frame their coverage of this and other similar stories in a balanced manner, allowing for all viewpoints to be heard and read. Too often, only the loudest, most inflammatory opinions are the ones the media chooses to cover, leaving their audience with misinformation and bias. More care should be taken by news editors and producers to ensure that the ‘experts’ they invite as guests to debate dog-related issues are truly experts, and that all sides of an argument are represented.

Another major problem that we have in this country is puppy farming. Medically and behaviourally unsound dogs are being sold to unsuspecting owners through this despicable practice. Classified ads in the back of newspapers and magazines, some major department stores, pet shops and a few disreputable ‘rescue shelters’ are selling puppies that have been bred from bad lines and have been kept in unclean, isolating conditions which negatively affect the dog for the rest of its life. Like children, puppies need to be socialized, nurtured and prepared for adult life, and if this doesn’t happen, major problems can arise. Puppy farmers have no interest in their puppies – they are merely a vehicle for making money – and the breeding bitches are kept in an environment of filth with little human contact. Local authorities must do more to prosecute these puppy farmers.

While dog licensing and/or registration would be a step in the right direction, it’s not the final answer. Difficult and expensive to coordinate, dog licensing is a process easily circumvented by those owners unconcerned with their dogs’ best interest. Further, dog licensing would not deter one of the primary ingredients of this problem – those who breed and encourage aggression in dogs.

There are indeed dogs in our society that are dangerous. But the vast majority of these dogs are dangerous either because their owners are irresponsible or because their owners don’t have the tools necessary to modify their dog’s behaviour. When trainers like myself say that it’s the owner’s fault when a dog is aggressive in public, it’s not always because of something the owner is doing wrong at the moment of aggression. More often, that aggression is a byproduct of an owner’s irresponsibility or ignorance in general as a dog owner (i.e. at home).

All dog attacks are upsetting, especially when they are include children, and we as a society need to do far more to prevent further tragedies from occurring. Hopefully we can avoid the pitfalls which affected those responsible for the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act and find the courage to target and attack those truly responsible, leading to healthier dogs and safer environments everywhere.

Victoria Stilwell
Dog Trainer
“It’s Me or the Dog”, Channel 4

Watch Victoria Stilwell on Channel 5's 'The Wright Stuff' Here

WAG has received reports that John Walsh has been evicted from his farm, Denton Hall, Low Roe Brampton. It appears in fact that he may have been evicted three times! The reports state that he was evicted by bailiffs for non-payment of rent but when they called at the farm a few days later Walsh had returned and it is alleged that he was again evicted. Not satisfied with this Walsh was reportedly found a few days later back in the farm. Again it is reported that he was evicted again and this time extreme security measures had to be put in place to prevent his return.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, “once again it would appear that Walsh has flouted authority and the courts. It is rare that someone can be happy that people have been evicted from their homes, especially at this time of the year, but in the case of Walsh I would make an exception. If these reports are true then there is no way in which Walsh can be involved in keeping, breeding or having animals cared for by others on his behalf. With allegations of having directed violence to his wife, total disregard for the welfare of animals, his demeanour when seen with his child and is total lack of apparent humanity in short Walsh is a blight on society and we can only be delighted that for the time being he is no longer able to carry out his vile lifestyle and perhaps someday he will end up in prison to pay for all of his alleged crimes! We do have concern that he may not have yet made payment towards the costs awarded against him and can only hope that the RSPCA can pursue him to that end.”

Kilmarnock Standard, 20th October 2006

The recent news report on this matter comes as no surprise to WAG. The alleged actions and statements made by the puppy seller if true are typical of those that we would like to see have nothing to do with dogs. We would hope that the local authority should be investigating with the question of a possible breach of the Sale of Goods Act.

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, "Unfortunately allegations such as these are not rare. What is that someone has the courage and the willing to pursue their rights when things go wrong. It came as no surprise that the purchaser did not get their money back as many such operators seem to think that they can hold on to someone’s money until they have sold the puppies when the law would appear to be in complete conflict with this. We will be monitoring this matter and will wait to see if the local authority actually does act!"

WAG welcomes the new Animal Health and Welfare Act. We are also delighted that a number of our submissions have been taken up. However if the current legislation is not implemented how will things improve?

Ken McKie on behalf of WAG said, ‘whilst we are delighted that a new piece of legislation is now on enacted we still have reservations. Many of those charged with enforcing the current legislations fail miserably in this task and sad to say it will still be down to them to enforce the new legislation. How will things improve? We are anxious on this. The Scottish SPCA has mentioned that this gives them new powers to deal with puppy farms. However, they and other authorities have always had powers to tackle these problems. But sadly, they failed to do so. The situation is out of control. Not even local authorities can tell you how many legitimate or unlicensed premises are out there. On numerous occasions we have raised issues with premises where the law is being broken but yet those who are to enforce the law say ‘it wasn’t too bad!’ If you speed over 30 mph you are rightly charged with this. Did this mean ‘it wasn’t too bad’ if you were only doing 35mph? If it is illegal then it is illegal and we will monitor and report all instances where the legislation is not enforced. WAG will never accept ‘it wasn’t too bad’

To all those at W.A.G.,

I would be honoured to become a patron of the Waterside Action Group and join in the fight against puppy dealers and puppy farming. It appalls me that this despicable practice still exists and it needs to stop. People must be made aware that these dealers and farms exist and that puppies suffer needlessly because of human greed. These puppy farmers must be stopped and the public needs to know the truth.

As a trainer and behaviour advisor I have encountered many dogs that have come from such places. Apart from the medical problems from which many of these dogs suffer, the isolation, lack of crucial socialization and in many cases removal from the mother before weaning causes physical and mental scars that can affect the dog for the rest of its life.

Peaceful protest and education is the way to go and that is why the Waterside Action Group is so vital.

I support this group because puppy farming needs to stop now!

Victoria Stilwell
Presenter, 'It's Me or the Dog'