Have just watched what could be the worst TV ever – the Keith Lemon Lemonaid show.

Who in their right minds thinks that is acceptable to give away a puppy as a prize to kids on a Saturday night prime slot TV show?

At one point Keith did say to the parents this was a big commitment and were they ready for it – like they were going to change their minds on TV with their kids so hyped up that they might win a puppy.  In response to “why haven’t you got your child a puppy” one of the parents said because they had never been in a position to afford one – so how are they going to be able to afford the ongoing costs over years of a puppy – or perhaps all food bills, vet visits & insurance were also part of the prize – I think not.

Never having really thought about it I would have hoped that it would be illegal to give away a live animal as a prize on TV but apparently not – unless the parent has not concented – however in Scotland it is.  Given the programme was also aired in Scotland as well then surely ITV have broken the law

We have just watched what could be the worst TV ever – the Keith Lemon Lemonaid show.

Who in their right minds thinks that is acceptable to give away a puppy as a prize to kids on a Saturday night prime slot TV show?

At one point Keith did say to the parents this was a big commitment and were they ready for it – like they were going to change their minds on TV with their kids so hyped up that they might win a puppy. In response to “why haven’t you got your child a puppy” one of the parents said because they had never been in a position to afford one – so how are they going to be able to afford the ongoing costs over years of a puppy – or perhaps all food bills, vet visits & insurance were also part of the prize – I think not.

Never having really thought about it I would have hoped that it would be illegal to give away a live animal as a prize on TV but apparently not – unless the parent has not consented – however in Scotland it is. Given the programme was also aired in Scotland as well then surely ITV have broken the law?

If you like us are outraged by this then please complain.

Firstly to Ofcom: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/
(Keith Lemon’s LemonAid broadcast ITV Saturday 28th April at 18.15 on ITV – you’ll need this for your Ofcom complaint.)

For anyone in Scotland then please visit this site: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/11/section/31 – specifically ‘A person commits an offence if the person offers or gives an animal to another person as a prize.’ and cc the RSPCA, the SSPCA in Scotland and Dogs Trust

You can also complain directly to ITV their email address is: viewerservices@itv.com

Keith Lemon’s production company email address: lemonaid@talkback.co.uk

If you’re on Twitter then you can contact Keith direct about this: @lemontwittor

There are also a couple of Facebook groups which you can join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/163117710484642/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KeithLemonsPuppyPrizeProtest/167266606732141

We at Puddle Pet Care will be complaining loudly to everyone we can about this and hope that you will join us. Programmes like this completely trivialise the responsibilities of dog ownership comparing it to winning a TV or holiday. If ITV are allowed to get away with this there is no knowing where live animals may turn up next as prizes.

There has been a lot of talk about the Governments plans to introduce compulsory microchipping in England as part of the Tackling Irresponsible Dog Ownership– however this is not yet law and is only at the consultation stage.  Consultation is due to finish on June 23^rd so there is time for lots of views to be taken into consideration.

There are a number of options being put forward from compulsory chipping of all puppies to chipping of all dogs regardless of age.

It appears that sometime ago there was talk that tattoos would be given as an alternative to microchips but this appears now not to be the case.

The proposed legislation also includes changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act.  One change that appears significant is that there is a proposal to remove the need for the police to seize and kennel dogs seized as a suspect of being a Dangerous Dog until after any court case.

 

Puddle Pet Care would urge all dog owners to read the full details on the Defra Website –http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/04/23/dangerous-dogs-1204/

and in particular the PDF document Annex A – Consultation Document (this is 19 pages long but is clearly written.)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/files/dangerous-dogs-annexa-condoc-120423.pdf

Anyone may reply to this consultation. Defra would like to hear from anyone with an interest in responsible dog ownership, including: enforcement agencies; people working with dogs; animal welfare organisations; dog keeping orgainsations; and the general public.

You can complete the survey on-line at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/dogsconsultation2012

So if you have concerns about this proposed legislation then we urge you to make your feelings known to DEFRA

 

A new series airs on BBC3 tonight at 9pm entitled  ‘Don’t Blame the Dog’.  Running for 6 weeks this unique series challenges young dog owners with bad attitudes to spend a week living with people who depend on dogs – some for their survival in extreme environments around the world and others who depend on them for their jobs.

In tonight’s episode Holly, who paints her dogs’ nails and puts diamantes on them, and Mikki, who is bite training his dog for protection, leave their dogs behind and travel to South Africa to spend a week with dogs that are trained to track down rhino poachers. Rhinos are endangered and one is killed by illegal hunters every day.

Sounds like an interesting experiment but will it really make any difference? The aim of the programme is that the experiences they have will help them re-evaluate their own lives and that of their pets and help them become better pet owners.

We at Puddle Pet Care will be watching tonight, will you? Be great to hear what you think of the programme.