News archive - 2011

MP Mary Creagh today expressed her concern over the growing welfare crisis surrounding Staffordshire bull terriers during a visit to The Blue Cross.

The shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was given a behind-the-scenes tour of our Victoria animal hospital.

One of the most significant issues we face is the growing number of bull breed dogs coming through our doors, with over 4,100 staffies treated this year. 

Our adoption centres have been forced to turn away over 700 so far in 2011 – nine out of ten – due to a lack of space or available homes.

Steve Goody, Blue Cross head of external affairs, says: “The huge numbers of bull breeds coming into our adoption centres and hospitals indicate the scale of the welfare problem facing these dogs.

“Too many are being bred and taken on for the wrong reasons, while many are left homeless or abandoned on the street with nowhere to go.”

The Blue Cross is concerned that the large numbers of these dogs are being fuelled by ‘backstreet breeding’ by irresponsible owners hoping to make money from selling litters of puppies. 

While we actively encourage neutering and our clients are forbidden from commercial breeding, around two-thirds of bull breeds treated at our hospitals and clinics are unneutered.

The Blue Cross is calling on the government to review the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act (1999) and introduce stricter licensing laws and regulations for dog breeders. 

During her visit, Mary met Trixie, a five-year-old staffie cross who is recovering from life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with pyometra – a serious infection of the womb. 

The condition, which can be fatal, only occurs in unneutered female dogs.  Prevention of pyometra is just one of the benefits of neutering.

Read our factsheet to find out more about neutering and its benefits.