Cardiff Canine Citizens

12/02/2024

Caroline's family express their heartfelt thanks for all of the kind messages received.

If anyone would like to pay their respects, please join us for Caroline's funeral at 11:45am on Tuesday 20th February 2024 at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff. The wake will follow at Ffynnon Wen, across the road.

15/01/2024

Caroline Cowan
8/11/1969 – 10/1/2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Caroline Cowan, a beloved and highly respected figure in the canine community of South Wales. Caroline departed this world recently, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, expertise, and tireless dedication to the well-being of our four-legged friends.

Caroline was widely known for her exceptional skills as a dog behaviourist, earning the respect and admiration of countless pet owners throughout the region. Her passion for understanding and improving the lives of dogs led her to become a trusted resource for those seeking guidance in training and behaviour modification.

As a trustee of charitable organisations such as Friends of the Dogs (Wales) and Kim’s Home for Elderly and Abused Dogs, Caroline extended her commitment beyond individual consultations, working tirelessly to advocate for the welfare of dogs on a broader scale. Her contributions to these charities have had a lasting impact on the lives of countless animals in need.

Caroline's compassion was particularly evident in her recent support for owners of XL Bullies, who faced increasing challenges due to evolving legislation. She spent her final months dedicating herself to offering guidance, empathy, and practical assistance to these owners, ensuring that they and their beloved pets received the care and understanding they deserved.

Caroline Cowan's legacy extends far beyond her professional achievements; she leaves behind a community profoundly touched by her kindness, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of dogs. Her passing is a loss that will be deeply felt, but her impact on the canine world will endure, a testament to a life well-lived in the service of others.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Caroline's family, friends, and the entire community she touched with her passion for dogs. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the gratitude of the countless lives she touched during her remarkable journey.

We kindly ask for your understanding and patience with regards to business enquiries and information about future bookings. Please bear with us as we navigate through this difficult time. Further information will be posted on our website cardiffcaninecitizens.com in due course. Thank you for your patience.

31/12/2023

I would like to wish all my clients, friends and family a Happy New Year. It is going to be a difficult year for anyone with an XL Bullie type dog and many dogs will needlessly lose their lives due to the way they look. The next 'in' dog is already here, waiting to take the Bullies place. These laws simply do not work. The dog is always the loser.

31/12/2023

I have been so busy over the last few months helping owners with their XL Bullies in advance of the ban. I have been implementing a “pay what you can” policy, even if that means me not being paid at all! The thought of loads of beautiful dogs being destroyed, breaks my heart. I will be back to offering my usual appointments from the 3rd January 2024 onwards.

20/12/2023

***Please Share***
Classes - P.A.L.S. Nursery Level ***
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Dates for our next available puppy classes;
Wednesday 10th January to Wednesday 14th February 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm - 6 Weeks
Give your puppy the very best start possible!
Contact Caroline at [email protected] for enquiries or to book a place.

20/12/2023

***Please Share***
***Prickly Pooches ***
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Dates for our next available classes;

Next Dates (February 2024)
Introductory Session
To be advised.

Practical Sessions
Saturday 4th February 2024: 08:30am – 10:00am
Saturday 11th February 2024: 08:30am – 9:30am
Saturday 18th February 2024: 08:30am – 9:30am
Saturday 25th February 2024: 08:30 – 9:30am
Where: Willows High School, Mervyn Rd, CF24 2YE (Get directions) NB Please use the Mervyn Rd entrance and not the Willows Avenue entrance.

Contact Caroline at [email protected] for enquiries or to book a place.

06/12/2023

***Christmas Hours***
We will be taking a break over Christmas but still have a few appointments available before Christmas and between Christmas and New Year. We have added some days in to try and reduce our waiting list prior to the New Year. Please contact Caroline at [email protected]

22/11/2023

What is the best thing about dog walks in the winter and what is the worst?

15/11/2023

The exemption link is now live. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog?fbclid=IwAR3tVSCSt_yNWXR1CZq3pB0P7o10q0_cioMX-MkYik4_y4vPAmpoRwZD_8s

Use this service to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep XL Bully dogs.

02/11/2023

We are offering discount on 121 sessions for XL Bully type dogs until the 31st December. This is for Saturday sessions only and you would need to travel to our venue in central Cardiff. Sessions will be reduced from £65 to £45. We hope that we can help owners at this worrying time.

31/10/2023

So this is what we have been waiting for, the breed standard for an XL Bully. What are your thoughts? I think many dogs who are not XL's will fall under this standard.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog?fbclid=IwAR3EyJmbCbOivfdnIX2kfLv9wC3PUldtDHuRNMUgibIawSHLmCLAOp-3Imk

31/10/2023

***Please Share***
***Prickly Pooches ***
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Dates for our next available classes;
Saturday 11th November 2023: 08:30am – 10:00am
Saturday 18th November 2023: 08:30am – 9:30am
Saturday 25th November 2023: 08:30am – 9:30am
Saturday 2nd December 2023: 08:30 – 9:30am
Contact Caroline at [email protected] for enquiries or to book a place.

06/10/2023

***Please Share***
Love this poster that Gatto, our new assistant trainer made.

04/10/2023

04/10/2023

Fireworks! Do you have a dog who is scared of fireworks? Have you started planning how you will manage? There is so much help available nowadays, in the form of over the counter or even prescription medications. Or there are natural aids, behavioural assistance or even a combination or belt and braces approach. Different dogs need different approaches but if you have a dog which is terrified, you owe it to them to try something and sooner rather than later ideally. If you would like our help contact Caroline at [email protected]

30/09/2023

Message from Angela, the Kim's Home Chief Fundraiser, about the upcoming auction. Please if you have anything - not necessarily dog-related, that you think would be attractive to a bidder, please contact Angela - details below. Books tend to be heavy and therefore expensive to post - so I would avoid those.

And I've added a pic of one of the Kim's Home dogs to get your attention. :-)

Hi all, the 2023 Kim's Home auction will take place from Friday 20th October 2023, starting at 7.00 pm and finishing on Friday 27th October 2023 at 7.00 pm. If you have any donations for our auction we would be very grateful. Details can be emailed to [email protected] or sent through facebook messenger which is accessed through Kims Home Auction page. We will need a photo and details of the item plus a suggested starting bid and if you will be covering postage (if not, how much postage will be as we do understand it can be expensive).
Kim's Home is so grateful for all the support given and the dogs live a very happy and stress free life with all needs taken care of by Wendy, who does everything for them, from medication, feeding and ferrying to the field multiple times daily to ensure they have the freedom to run and exercise in their own safe space.
Thank you all for your support, we look forward to seeing you all at the auction.

And here is the Boss, tiny Teasel

24/09/2023

Just sent out information of the FREE Muzzle Training sessions to those who have been in contact! We can't wait to meet your lovely dogs and help you.

22/09/2023

***Please Share***
Classes - P.A.L.S. Nursery Level ***
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Dates for our next available puppy classes;
Saturday 21st October to Saturday 2nd December 2023
10:30am – 11:30am - 6 Weeks
Give your puppy the very best start possible!
Contact Caroline at [email protected] for enquiries or to book a place.

21/09/2023

This is what many of you are waiting for and hopefully this will provide clarity. Worrying times but remember we are providing free muzzle training.

The importance of the EFRA Committee’s current inquiry into issues around pets has been highlighted by the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that bully XL dogs will be banned by the end of the year. In response to the ban announcement and the recent reports of attacks by these dogs...

21/09/2023

Free Webinar not to be missed if you own an XL Bully!

XL BULLY BAN: FREE WEBINAR!!

We're continuing to receive enquiries at Cooper & Co Solicitors from worried dog owners and rescues about what might happen when the XL Bully ban comes into force at the end of the year and, in particular, how the exemption scheme / amnesty might operate. I suggest we get together online on Sunday afternoon at 3pm for up to an hour to chat through what we know. Doglaw specialist Solicitor Trevor Cooper, together with representatives from our friends at Deed Not Breed, will answer as many of your questions as we can. We also hope to have a dog warden and someone from a dog rescue to help us answer your queries.

In order to attend, we shall be using Zoom and so you will need a link from us. You can enrol (free) on the link below. Places will be limited and so it is first come first served. If you have specific questions, it would be appreciated if you could send them in advance (via the form).

If you cannot attend, we shall aim to record this webinar so it should be available next week.

https://forms.gle/59EfhUbiyZPNstxJ6

21/09/2023

The importance of the EFRA Committee’s current inquiry into issues around pets has been highlighted by the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that bully XL dogs will be banned by the end of the year. In response to the ban announcement and the recent reports of attacks by these dogs...

19/09/2023

Excellent advice as always!

XL BULLY BAN: WHAT WE CURRENTLY KNOW

On 10th September 2023 the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, posted on her Twitter page:-

“The American XL Bully is a clear and lethal danger to our communities, particularly children. We can’t go on like this. I have commissioned urgent advice on banning them”

This was followed on 15th September 2023 by the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who said he would ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 “by the end of the year”. DEFRA subsequently issued a statement that evening saying that the Environment Secretary will:-

1. Convene experts to define the American XL Bully ‘in the next week’
2. The Government will then lay a Statutory Instrument to ‘add it to the list of dogs banned under the Act. This will make it an offence to own, breed, gift or sell an XL Bully’ by the end of the year

DEFRA went on to say that there will be a transition period requiring owners to ‘come forward’ and that details of this will be provided ‘in due course’.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, is quoted on the BBC as saying on 16th September 2023 that the transition (which she called an “amnesty”) will require owners to register their dogs and take action including requiring the dog to be neutered, on a lead and muzzled in public, as well a requirement for the dog to be insured.

It's hard to be too precise about the next steps but the following is our ‘best guess’, pending further Government announcements:-

Q) Do owners of XL Bullies have to do anything now?
A) No, but it would be advisable to get your dog used to wearing a muzzle, as well as to get it trained, neutered, and insured.
N.B. When your dog is neutered, please ask the vet to make a record of your dog’s microchip number. For insurance it is likely to be third-party liability insurance required, not healthcare.

Q) How do I know if my dog is going to be on the banned list?
A) We shall have to wait to see the definition that is adopted.

Q) How can I get my dog exempted?
A) We’re not sure yet, but it seems as though it’ll be by an owner-led registration scheme which will probably require you to complete an application form, provide evidence of compliance with the conditions and pay for the details to be on the Index of Exempted Dogs.

Q) What if someone misses the deadline to have the dog exempted?
A) The owner (+ if different the person in charge of the dog) will be committing an offence punishable by a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or an unlimited fine. The dog will be seized by the Police and there is likely to be a presumption that it shall be put down unless you can prove that it is not a danger to public safety. You may also be required to prove that there was good reason why you failed to comply with the amnesty.

Q) What will be the conditions.
A) If it follows the current position for an exempted dog, the requirements will be:-

• The dog is neutered
• The dog is microchipped
• Third party insurance is obtained (+ continues to be in force)
• A certificate of exemption is issued
• Keep the dog at the same address as the registered keeper except for up to 30 days in 12 months
• Notify the Agency of any change of address
• Notify the Agency of the death or export of the dog
• Keep the dog muzzled and on a lead when in a public place
• Keep the dog in sufficiently secure conditions to prevent its escape

Breach of any of these conditions will mean that the dog is no longer exempted.

Q) What are the offences likely to be?
A)
• Having possession or custody of the dog if it has not been exempted within the amnesty period
• To breed (or breed from) the dog
• To sell or exchange the dog
• To make or offer to make a gift of the dog
• Allow the dog to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a lead
• Abandon the dog or allow it to stray

Q) Will a rescue be able to rehome an XL Bully?
A) When the ban comes into force, unless the existing rules are changed, a rescue won’t be able to rehome an XL Bully unless it is going to someone who already has or has had responsibility for the dog, and in any event this would have to be approved by a Court.

This summary was produced on 16th September 2023 but this is a fast changing situation so you must not rely on it as legal advice.

18/09/2023

Huge response to the free muzzle training and I will be in touch with all who have emailed later today! We can't wait to meet you and your dogs.

17/09/2023

PLEASE SHARE!

In light of the recent news, we are offering free muzzle training to responsible owners of Bully XL's. Please contact Caroline at [email protected] to be added to our waiting list.

15/09/2023

Below, you can read our press release following the government's announcement of their intention to ban the XL Bully by the end of 2023:

“THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF HISTORY, NOT REPEAT THEM”

Doglaw specialist Solicitor Trevor Cooper from Cooper & Co Solicitors in Whitfield, Dover who has acted for dog owners since the 1990s (www.doglaw.co.uk) today expressed his dismay that the Government has announced its intention to ban the American XL Bully under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 by the end of the year.

Mr Cooper said “Breed Specific Legislation has not worked. Just adding another type of dog onto the list of banned breeds is not going to protect the public. The Government needs to learn from the mistakes of history, not repeat them”.

He continued “Not every XL Bully is going to be dangerous and not every owner who has one is irresponsible. If the ban is introduced, I urge the Government to have an exemption scheme which will allow dogs that do not pose a danger to public safety to be exempted from the prohibition”.

“I shall need to consider the draft legislation and, in particular, will want to see how the Government is proposing to define which dogs this proposed ban applies to”.

15/09/2023

There are going to be strong feeling as a result of this news. If banning dogs isn't the answer, what is? What would you do?

It comes after a man died after a suspected American XL bully attack in Walsall on Thursday.

15/09/2023

What do you think about this?

15/09/2023

I have been asked by so many people, what my thoughts are on banning American Bullies or Bullies XL's. I am usually not in favour of banning certain breeds as there are many other breeds that will then replace them and often these cause more issues.

The Pitbull's I have met, have been really lovely dogs on the whole, great with people but not always with other dogs. Although one of the very first dogs he played with was a Pitbull and she was amazing. I have also met some lovely Bullie XL's.

My concern is dogs being bred for colour, size etc and not temperament, soundness etc. Often these dogs are co owned by several people and passed around to different homes and not treated like pets. Yes, I do know that there are exceptions but this is my personal experience. All about the coin and not the canine!

I love bull breeds but attacks on people and especially children can lead to knee jerk laws which can have serious implications for all of our dogs.



Please read this and decide for yourself.
https://bullywatch.link/2023/08/01/finding-kimbo/?fbclid=IwAR2CYXUiLy5eygrQF1V3D_Kn0cldAXtya1v4Msitj45lHSQ4SmlopqtmDVQ

At Bully Watch, we began delving into the pedigrees—essentially, the family trees—of dogs from the most well-known Bully XL kennels across the UK. Our investigation steered us down a trail where on…

08/09/2023

Vet services survey. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-respond-to-the-veterinary-services-market-for-pets-review?fbclid=IwAR3cCHCQWpoEp9ZOrF8Gn6Y8yDJJwpzXIe2mg8R13s3jwMwQCNx5D5xLybI

The CMA has launched a review into the veterinary services market for household pets.