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Croydon and Crystal Palace RSPCA offers free neutering for Staffordshire bull terrier breeds

10:30am Wednesday 3rd June 2009 in


The RSPCA is offering free neutering to all owners of Staffordshire bull terriers and other bull breed dogs throughout June.

Rosemary Hosking, from the RSPCA Croydon, Crystal Palace & District Branch, said they will accept any dog regardless of their owner’s income.

She said: “The problem with these types of dogs is getting much worse. I am hearing more and more horror stories.

“The main problem is with young teenage males who can't cope with these dogs and of course it is also the young men who are involved in dog fighting.

“As a branch of volunteers there is not a lot we can do apart from trying to get as many dogs neutered and prevent more unwanted animals being born.

“We want to get as many dogs neutered as possible, both male and female.

“Neutering a boisterous male dog calms him down and makes him easier to live with and of course females no longer come into season and so are protected from accidents.”

For more information call the branch on 020 87719040.

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.

Comments(10)

Bob Peel says...
10:53am Wed 3 Jun 09

Be doing the world a favour by doing the owners too.

Go on - you know it makes sense!

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chloec1 says...
11:54am Wed 3 Jun 09

I think its a great idea, however It would be great if the free neutering service could be offered for a longer term and not just for June. I think vets bills are far to expensive and deter lots of people to neuter or spey their dogs or cats. I have been quoted £54 by a certain vet in Addiscombe to spey my cat and £35 for both injections. This a ridiculous amount. I also wish the Police could do more to tackle dog fighting.

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Lehan says...
4:40pm Wed 3 Jun 09

I cannot see how this is going to solve anything other than end the breed. The problem is not the dogs its the owners. The responsible owners will take their dogs to be neutered if they haven't already, the others, the ones who use this breed as a status symbol, for fighting, or as a weapon to intimidate will not.

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Fenris says...
10:57pm Wed 3 Jun 09

Responsible owners will not take their dogs to be neutered on the say so of animal rights fanatics whose aim is the end of all human animal interaction.

Responsible owners will know that putting an animal through major invasive surgery such as ovio-hysterectomy and castration should never be undertaken unless there is an overriding veterinary need.

Every time an animal (or a human) is given anaesthetic there is a chance something will go wrong, including death.

Some female dogs end up with spay incontinence and are either put down or kept outside the house as a result.

Removing the glands that produce hormones can also have a devastating effect on dogs. It can make them more, not less, aggressive. It can change their entire personality. It can alter their growth pattern. And it can make them far more susceptible to diseases that occur at the beginning of life, not at the end.

The only reason there are perceived problems with staffies and other bull breeds is the RSPCA publicity persuading more people to complain.

It is a self fulfilling prophesy that is teaching youngsters that they ought to have 'status symbol' dogs.

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Lehan says...
9:19am Thu 4 Jun 09

Fenris, where do you get your information from. I used to work in a vetenary centre for many years and in all those years never saw any of what you have stated. I worked for a reputable vet and would advise that anyone looking for a vet do their homework before taking their animal to one. The RSPCA are a charity to protect animals, they would never advise owners to un-necessarily harm their animals. Neutering animals especially cats as they tend to roam free, is what is best for the animal. Cats can breed from a very early age and get pregnant after pregnancy after pregnancy it would be cruel and irresponsible for any caring owner to subject their loving pet to that kind of tourment. To neuter your dog not only leaves that dog happier because its not constantly trying to run away to find females that are driving them mad with their scent, they can be left more passive and easier to control. Contrary to some peoples belief dogs are happiest when they are made to feel like they are NOT top dog. I personally believe that it is cruel not to neuter your dog. Most dogs who's owners allow those dogs to keep their bits don't give them access to another dog and is often the reason why some get aggresive. How would you like that.

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trasie says...
8:59am Fri 5 Jun 09

At the end of the day if it helps to reduce the number of stray and unwanted dogs I'm all for it. I would agree to an earlier comment about extending the time to maybe 3 months. I have a staffie and she is in season now so it would not be right to have her spayed now. Hormones and all that.

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Fed up in Chase says...
9:25am Tue 9 Jun 09

Sadle it makes far much more sense to neuter the owners!. Its the owners that are the problem, NOT the dogs. A dog will take its pattern of behaviour from the owner.. NOT the other way around. Take the agressions out of the owner & you will have a much easier time!

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I hope not says...
8:37am Wed 10 Jun 09

Neuter both the animals and the owners, offer a two for one deal.
I have never heard of any problems with neutering animals and would rather they be neutered than be churning out pup after pup.

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Madeleine & Pixie says...
2:05pm Thu 11 Jun 09

Fenris, responsible owners want to do the best for their animals. This includes not letting them breed to the point we're at now - thousands of dogs being put down because there aren't enough homes. The risks you mention are MINIMAL. You are exaggerating ridiculously. I don't know any dogs that have had those problems, but I do know dogs that have had pyometra, mammary cancer and testicular cancer - all could have been prevented by neutering. Neutering male dog aggressive dogs does tend to make them a lot better. I would rather spay a young, healthy dog (an indeed I have done - the pros far outweigh the cons) than an old dog dying of pyometra.

My dog is a Staffie by the way. She was a stray. I am grateful to have her as she is a wonderful dog (despite being accused of wanting to end all human-animal interaction) but think of and worry about all her littermates who may not have been so lucky as to find a responsible owner.

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claire d says...
4:58pm Mon 15 Jun 09

to Trasie Mitcham and other readers
as long as the voucher itself is dated June you can still get her done when she's halfway between seasons! phone the number in the article and Rosemary will send one to you!it's too good an opprtunity to miss! vets want £160 to spay! I have a voucher coming for my 8 month old male Archie and for his 2.5yr old mum Sasha who i'm adopting from the breeder who's circumstances have sadly changed. it's an excellent idea.it's only the people who want to exploit this beautiful breed that wont do it and they're the ones who have ruined the staff's reputation in the first place.

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