Category: Dog News

According to police data, instances of dognapping increased by almost 20% in the six months preceding October 2021. In September 2021, a law was passed which recognises pet theft as a separate crime to other forms of property theft. A study by K9 Patrol has revealed the most dangerous places to be a dog owner in the UK.

K9’s study analysed local search data for terms frequently searched by victims of pet abduction over the last six months.

Northamptonshire ranked top, with residents searching the terms  “report dog theft”, “dog stolen” and “report a stolen dog” more frequently than any other county in the UK.

Top 20 dog theft hotspots

Position	County
1	Northamptonshire
2	Somerset
3	Gloucestershire
4	Devon
5	Derbyshire
6	East Riding of Yorkshire
7	East Sussex
8	Herefordshire
9	Cambridgeshire
10	Bedfordshire
11	Berkshire
12	Bristol City
13	Lincolnshire
14	Greater Manchester
15	Cornwall
16	Warwickshire
17	Worcestershire
18	Leicestershire
19	Greater London
20	Shropshire

Methodology

Their method analysed the number of impressions each search term had in each location. It then calculated the percentage of residents this accounted for, by using the most recent population data for each area. This data is not based on crime reports, but on search terms specifically related to topics discussed by the victims of dog theft.

Vice President of the RSPCA, Peter Egan, joins Ricky Gervais in calling for the Government to release registered animal charities from a policy which forbids them to end cruel animal experiments.

MPs gather today Monday 25th October, in Westminster Hall, to debate a petition which cites the 90% fail rate of animal-tested drugs, but only calls for these medically failed and horrific experiments on dogs, and other animals, to be merely ‘phased out’.

Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan are supporting protestors who will gather outside Westminster Hall, from 4-7.30pm, to call for the science hearing outlined by Parliament EDM 175 – to ban animal experiments quickly.

Ricky Gervais says: “I’m shocked to hear that Priti Patel is only planning a gradual “phasing out” of horrific experiments on dogs, and other animals, which could take many decades. Such experiments are now proven to entirely fail the search for human treatments and cures, a position reported by the British Medical Journal, the FDA and the US-based National Cancer Institute. We need an immediate ban on this shocking animal cruelty, which is clearly holding back medical progress too. That’s why I support the rigorous public science hearing, as called for by Parliament EDM 175. This can help create a legal ruling to stop the funding of the outdated practice of animal experiments, and quickly redirect funding towards human-based methods, which have a proven track record of success. Please join my campaign with rescued laboratory dog Scarlett Beagle: help us accelerate the arrival of this fair science hearing, to end cruel animal experiments, once, and for all.”

82 cross-party MPs have signed EDM 175, calling for the Government to mandate a rigorous public scientific hearing, on claims that results from animal experiments can predict human responses, in medical research and safety testing.

The EDM’s science hearing is unique because it will be judged by a panel of independent experts from the relevant science fields – including evolutionary biology, complexity science, chaos theory, clinical research, drug development, basic research and philosophy of science.

Never before has such an indepdently judged science hearing been mandated by the Government; previous inquiries into animal testing have been overseen by many with a clear vested interest in animal experiments.

Registered charities are in chains

The National Anti-Vivisection Society is the oldest anti-vivisection society in the world, but it is not a registered charity because charity status would prevent it from ending animal experiments.

Says the NAVS: ‘The NAVS is not a registered UK charity because the law does not allow for charities to campaign to end animal experiments. Founded in 1895, the NAVS was a charity until 1947, when the Inland Revenue challenged charitable status for groups opposing animal experiments and the narrow terms of charity status worked against us at that time. Since then, charity law has been amended to include activities which would fall naturally within a charity´s core work, but would still not allow the NAVS to campaign to change the law to end animal research.

NAVS continues: ‘In order to take up charitable status, the NAVS would be obliged to give up our work to change the law on animal experiments, including drafting legislation, working with government departments and educating legislators around the world, in addition to our public education work. In our view, this work is the most important thing we can do to achieve lasting protection for animals and so our members have made the decision that the financial benefits of charitable status must be sacrificed, in order to do what is right and necessary for animals.’

In 1950, a High Court precedent ruling, by senior judge Harold Danckwerts, ruled that NAVS is not eligible for charity status because “suppression of vivisection is contrary to the benefit of the community and therefore not a charitable purpose in law” – please see ‘Resources’ at the close.

In 1950, one could be forgiven for stating that animal experiments save human lives. Not today. Medical doctor Ray Greek says: “recent developments in evolutionary and developmental biology, genetics, gene regulation, gene expression and gene networks gained in large part as a result of the Human Genome Project, in addition to advances in understanding complex systems, have significantly increased our understanding of why animals have no predictive value for human response to drugs, or the pathology of human diseases.”

Peter Egan says: “As Vice-President of the RSPCA, I am shocked to learn that this, and other registered animal charities including Animal Free research, are forbidden to support the science hearing called for by EDM 175, and prevented by law from ending cruel animal experiments. The petition being debated by MPs, on Monday 25th October, cites the 90% fail rate for animal tested drugs, but merely calls for this catastrophic human medical failure to be gradually ‘phased out’. This doesn’t make any sense. Even though today’s debated petition cites the 90% fail rate of animal tested drugs, it describes human-based research as an ‘alternative’ to animal tests. This is clearly nonsense – and is typical of registered charities confined to an outdated policy called the 3Rs, established in 1959 for ‘humane experimental technique on animals’. Animal tests have a 90% fail rate – as the petition correctly states – whereas human-based research, such as gene-based medicine, comes with a fantastic track record of success. Human-based research is the opposite of animal experiments, these are not ‘alternatives’ for each other. It is time for the Government to allow registered charities to campaign with up-to-date medical knowledge so they can support the science hearing called for by EDM 175, make sense in their public petition statements, and ban the now proven practice of animal experiments quickly.”

Dr. Lisa Cameron MP says: “I’m delighted to be the primary sponsor for Parliamentary EDM 175, calling for a fair and rigorous public scientific hearing on animal experiments. Dogs are man’s best friend, yet thousands of Beagles are bred every year in the UK, for painful toxicity experiments that are today widely reported to be failing the search for human treatments and cures. Please join me in asking the Government to mandate this vital science hearing: ask your MP to sign EDM 175 to stop the funding of a failed practice and accelerate funding for human-based research, such as body on a chip and gene-based medicine, which comes with a track record of success.”

[bctt tweet=””If research conducted on animals continues to be unable to reasonably predict what can be expected in humans, the public’s continuing endorsement of preclinical animal research seems misplaced”.” username=”k9magazine”]

Dr. Fiona Godlee, Editor in Chief of the British Medical Journal quotes a report, in her Editor’s Choice: “If research conducted on animals continues to be unable to reasonably predict what can be expected in humans, the public’s continuing endorsement of preclinical animal research seems misplaced”.

Award winning oncologist Dr. Azra Raza says in her tweet: “Why are we continuing to invest 100s of millions of dollars into animal studies, with the delusion that they will provide clinical guidance for humans? Why are we, the public, not demanding more accountability? Who is benefitting?”

 

Every dog is different – from laid-back labradors to cheeky chihuahuas – but the one thing that unites puppers and their humans is the unconditional love they share every day, that can be made even stronger through the power of listening. Music streaming service, Spotify has dug into the ways that dog owners across the world use music and audio to entertain and relax their doggos and puppers.

Over 5 million pet owners have visited Spotify for Pets since it launched in early 2020, so disco-loving dogs (as well as cats, hamsters, birds and iguanas) can get their paws a tippy tapping – with the pets playlists proving most popular with listeners from the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Netherlands and Poland.

In fact, a survey of just under 4,000 dog owners globally showed that one in five dog owners (20%) currently play their dog music during the day to keep them company, with a further one in four (23%) saying that listening to music helps to keep their dog relaxed.

And a tip for those owners whose pupper or doggo struggles to be the goodest boi: 15% of dog owners say that listening to music helps their dog to be better behaved in general. In fact, nearly one in five dog owners (18%) plays their dog an average of at least an hour of music per day – with a lucky 6% of dogs having more than 12 hours of music a week played to them by their owners!

Gen Z are one age group leading the way in pampering doggies with music. One in 10 Gen Z dog owners (10%) has created a playlist especially for their dog, with another one in 10 (11%) believing that their dog has similar music taste to them.

Meanwhile My Dog’s Favourite Podcast, created in partnership with animal experts and features a mix of soothing music, dog-directed speech and original sound design to provide comfort for dogs and to help them both during and beyond lockdown, has been streamed over half a million times. Most popular with female listeners (c.60% of streams) and 28-34 year olds (a third of streams). The top ten countries tuning in globally are the UK, US, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Spain and Mexico; when looking at listeners across Europe, the top ten countries are the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, France and Switzerland.

With millions of user-generated dog playlists on Spotify, pop songs are the most popular music genre for dogs with artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X setting tails wagging, with other fun furry facts including:

• Dog Days Are Over, the 2009 feel-good track by UK artist Florence + The Machine, is the most popular song added to user-generated dog playlists on Spotify, followed by hit-maker Olivia Rodrigo’s good 4 u.
• Other top canine-titled songs appearing on user-generated dog playlists on Spotify including Beggin’ by Måneskin, Black Dog – Remaster by Led Zeppelin and Who Let The Dogs Out by The Baha Men

Top 5 songs added to user-generated dog playlists on Spotify globally during 2021

1. Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
2. Olivia Rodrigo – good 4 u
3. Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license
4. Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
5. Doja Cat – Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have conducted the largest ever study into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on puppy purchasing in the UK. Some of the findings revealed that some ‘pandemic puppy’ owners were less likely to have sought credible breeders, less likely to have viewed their puppy in-person prior to collection and more likely to have paid in excess of £2,000. This was in comparison to owners of puppies purchased during the same period of the previous year.

The survey unveils how high demand over the past 16 months has increased the risk to puppy health and welfare. While many ‘pandemic puppy’ owners were likely making well-intentioned purchases, unbeknownst to many, these buying behaviours unfortunately heighten the threats to puppies from being sourced from poor welfare environments, bred or raised on puppy farms, and illegally imported. Therefore, enhanced support mechanisms for owners and greater welfare efforts for this vulnerable puppy population are needed now more than ever.

The RVC’s national study, which gathered the views of 5,517 owners, sought to understand the pre- and on-purchase motivations and behaviours of UK owners. In line with the first official lockdown period, it focused on puppies purchased between 23 March – 31 December 2020. It then compared these to responses from owners of puppies purchased during the same timeframe in 2019.

When compared with 2019 owners, ‘pandemic puppy’ owners were found to be:

• less likely to seek out a breeder that performed health testing on their breeding dog(s) or was a member of the Kennel Club ‘Assured Breeders Scheme’
• more likely to be motivated to purchase a dog to improve their own/their family’s mental wellbeing
• more likely to pay a deposit without seeing the puppy, and pay more than £2,000 – an increase from average prices of £955 in 2019 to £1,550 in 2020
• more likely to be first-time dog owners
• more likely to have children in their household
• less likely to view their puppy in-person prior to purchase and more likely to see their puppy without their littermates
• more likely to have collected their puppy from outside a breeder’s property or have it delivered
• more likely to buy a younger puppy, in comparison to the recommended guidance of over eight weeks

Owners of ‘pandemic puppies’ also answered a set of questions exploring COVID-19 specific impacts. More than 10 per cent of ‘pandemic puppy’ owners had not considered purchasing a puppy before the pandemic. More than 86 per cent felt their decision to purchase a puppy had been influenced by the pandemic, most commonly by having more time to care for a dog.

With 40 per cent of ‘pandemic puppy’ owners also having no previous dog ownership experience compared with 33 per cent of the 2019 owners, greater levels of support and education may be needed to maintain the welfare of the puppies. Vets in practice and canine behavioural professionals could therefore need to play a greater role in helping to reduce factors such as behavioural challenges, health problems and relinquishment risk. This includes owners’ inexperience of typical dog behaviours (which could then be perceived as problematic if not managed appropriately), unrealistic expectations around the roles pets play in children’s lives, and the expense and time required for dog ownership and caretaking.

Focusing on training and raising awareness of day care and dog walking services, for example, could help to reduce distress amongst dogs and decrease the amount of time they are left alone when owners return to work. All these efforts will ultimately minimise the risk of the dog needing to be rehomed (where this in the dog’s best interests).

Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and lead author of the study, said:

“The unprecedented demand for puppies combined with social distancing restrictions during the pandemic has led to the perfect environment for unscrupulous breeders and puppy dealers. This also includes desperate buyers willing to pay above the odds for puppies, and an easy excuse to conceal poor conditions puppies were raised in. From our results, we are concerned that many well-meaning owners who were looking to add a puppy to their family to improve their mental health during the pandemic may have fallen into this trap, and inadvertently encouraged this deplorable industry.

“For worried owners of ‘pandemic puppies’ – all is not lost. If you are concerned about your puppy’s health, behaviour or wellbeing, please contact your vet or a qualified behavioural professional who will be able to support you and your puppy to address any problems that have arisen in their early life”.

Dr Dan O’Neill, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said:

“This study reveals the debt we owe to dogs for getting so many of us as humans through the pandemic. But it also suggests that a terrible price is being paid by many dogs from our choices on which breed to buy, our long-term commitment to the dog and even whether we can afford to look after a dog. It reminds us to ‘stop and think’ about life from the dog’s perspective too.”
The study, funded by the Animal Welfare Foundation, was initiated following concerns that a huge puppy welfare crisis was unfolding during the pandemic. The RVC team, including Drs Rowena Packer, Claire Brand, Camilla Pegram and Dan O’Neill worked in collaboration with Dr Zoe Belshaw, an independent consultant, to capture data in order to offer solutions that would mitigate the harms.

A second paper is planned for later this summer, documenting the characteristics and early life experiences of ‘pandemic puppies’.

According to a study, four in five (85%) of dogs have been found to have some sort of fear, with one in five (21%) resulting in misbehaviours such as excessive barking, chewing, or chasing the appliance.

Of course, nobody wants to see their beloved dog afraid or unsettled, as well as having to fork out for new appliances due to damages, so why not consider helping them overcome these worries and avoid expensive costs?

• New research by comparethemarket.com reveals the home appliances that dogs are most afraid of, as well as expert tips on what pooch parents can do to help ease their fears
• Over four in five (85%) dogs are afraid of household appliances, with owners citing them becoming anxious, nervous, or afraid around them
• The most feared everyday household items include the vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, and lawnmower

Household appliances dogs find most frightening

• Vacuum cleaner (45%)
• Hairdryer (24%)
• Lawnmower (21%)
• Washing machine (15%)
• Food blender (13%)
• Sweeping brush (10%)

Looking into the level of fear experienced, the study found that nearly two in five (38%) will leave the room entirely until the appliance is no longer being used, whereas over one in five (22%) dogs will go and hide under something, such as a table or sofa.

Other reactions include shaking (21%), excessively barking, chewing, or chasing the appliance (21%), as well as crying or whining (20%).

Not only that but rather worryingly one in twelve (8%) dogs were found to pant in response to certain household appliances which is a rather serious fear reaction compared to leaving the area.

So, what can doggy parents do to help ease their dog’s fears? Dr. Heather Venkat, a veterinarian consultant, says that fear-related accidents in the home are not uncommon but that it is possible to help avoid them. Here are her five top tips:

• Pet owners can ease their dog’s fears by giving them space to move away from the noise. If your dog chooses to avoid the appliance, leave them be.
• Should your dog be part of the 21% that become destructive and cries or chases after the appliance then further separation and boundaries may be needed, such as putting your dog in a kennel or X-pen.
• Extremely noise sensitive dogs may need further attention including natural supplements such as probiotics or even anti-anxiety medication from your veterinarian.
• Pet owners can also play calming music when using loud appliances to try to drown out the scary noise and help their dog to not worry as much.
• To avoid dogs becoming afraid of home appliances when they’re puppies, pet owners should gradually introduce their pups to noises at a low volume or from further away. Pairing the noise with a treat also helps the puppy associate the noise with something positive.

Also commenting, Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, says: “As our research highlights, one in five dogs misbehave and can become destructive in response to various common household appliances, something many pooch parents will have experienced.

“It has been found that 62% of owners said their dogs had caused damage to their home at some point, averaging a cost of £165.47 each year! In fact, a fifth of homeowners (20%) haven’t even informed their home insurance provider about their dog, meaning they risk their claim being rejected should their pooch cause any damage.

“Ultimately, it’s inevitable that your dog is going to be near these items daily, so owners must try to ease their worries and avoid any potential accidents or damages that may arise due to them being frightened. Therefore, having the right home insurance policy in place and checking what is and isn’t covered will give you that extra peace of mind, just in case.”

A new guidance-led approach to microchip scanning of dogs ahead of euthanasia, supported by the UK’s leading veterinary organisations, has this week been approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The guidance follows a public campaign known as ‘Tuk’s Law’ which called for measures to ensure dogs were not euthanised without the microchip database first being checked for a ‘rescue back up’ – a rehoming charity that could take responsibility for the animal.

In response, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) agreed that more could and should be done to prevent occasions where a dog might be needlessly put to sleep, but voiced concerns that a legislative approach could undermine a vet’s clinical judgement, unfairly involve veterinary surgeons in ownership disputes or potential criminality, and leave vets unfairly exposed to financial sanctions.

In consultation with Defra, the RCVS and BVA jointly agreed a way forward for key guidance for veterinary surgeons to be strengthened. The new guidance, which underpins the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct that all UK-practising veterinary professionals must follow, will require veterinary surgeons to scan for a microchip in dogs prior to euthanasia where, in their professional judgement, destruction of the dog is not necessary on animal health or welfare grounds.

It will also support existing best practice in terms of discussing alternatives to euthanasia with clients, and give vets flexibility where, in their professional judgment, scanning is not appropriate; this might be if scanning would itself cause a welfare problem, or where a vulnerable client might be involved.

The RCVS Standards Committee recognised the difficulties experienced by veterinary surgeons in dealing with the current microchip database system, but felt that introducing these provisions into the guidance was a more proportionate response than the alternative of legislation with substantial fines. Both the RCVS and BVA were pleased to note that Defra’s new Action Plan for Animal Welfare included a review of existing database systems, with a view to introducing improvements.

George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers and the Government is committed to further strengthening our world-leading animal welfare standards. We have worked closely with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and British Veterinary Association to develop this new guidance, which honours the Tuk’s law principles by requiring vets to scan the microchips of healthy dogs to help ensure they are not put down unnecessarily.”

RCVS President Dr Mandisa Greene MRCVS said: “We are grateful to Defra for helping find a workable solution to a challenging problem that will support animal welfare while underpinning the central role of a veterinary surgeon’s judgement, in what is often a very difficult moment for both the client and the vet. We are confident that our new guidance will significantly reduce any risk of unnecessary and unwanted euthanasia, while continuing to help veterinary surgeons help animals under their care to the best of their abilities.”

BVA Senior Vice President Dr Daniella Dos Santos MRCVS said: “One of the most important jobs as a vet is having those difficult conversations with clients about euthanasia where we talk through all the options that are in the animal’s best interests. But where the vet doesn’t consider that euthanasia is necessary, the new guidance clearly sets out the steps we need to take. We support this constructive approach that addresses the campaigners’ concerns without undermining veterinary judgement.”

With April seeing both National Pet Month, and the lifting of lockdown restrictions allowing domestic holidays for one household, a new study has revealed just how much dogs enjoying holidaying with their humans. 

The research found that a dog’s heart rate increases by 51% on average whilst on holiday, with experts recommending that taking your four-legged friend on a UK break could help them overcome lockdown induced anxiety and stress.

• Canine expert, Nick Benger, says holidaying with your dog reduces behavioural issues
• UK travel for families (and pets) is set to resume from 12th April
• Heart rate data reveals that a trip to the beach can increase a dog’s heart rate by 74%

To find out what makes having a holiday home so beneficial for dogs, pet-friendly holiday park operator, Park Leisure, conducted a study using heart rate monitoring technology², and partnered with Nick Benger, a leading dog behaviourist starring on the Amazon Prime show The Pack. 

Nick says, “For dogs, getting away and appreciating new scents and experiences can reduce stress and strengthen their relationship with their owners. It’s also extremely important that puppies (especially lockdown puppies) are exposed to different situations, people and dogs – holidaying with your pet is a great way to do that. As for older dogs, a change in environment is a great chance to improve their training in a neutral space without the baggage of past learning at home.” 

After establishing an average resting heart rate for the dogs using a pulse monitor, researchers then tracked their heart rates during a visit to Park Leisure holiday home park, to reveal exactly how a break in an idyllic beauty spot affected them. 

As the dog’s heart rate rose, their excitement levels also increased. The dogs took part in various activities to reveal what excited them the most: 

1.       Being on the beach – increased heart rate by 74% on average 

By far the biggest draw for the pooches, a trip to the beach certainly got their tails wagging, raising the dogs’ pulses by a huge 74%. Combining the excitement of a wide-open space, the unpredictable waves, and an unfamiliar landscape, the beach offers a multitude of stimuli for canines. 

Nick commented: “The beach is such a fantastic place to walk your dog. They can run in the open space of the beach and enjoy the different texture of the sand or the sea which gets some dogs so excited. The beach brings with it a whole new array of smells, which dogs love to spend time exploring. I’ve never met a dog that didn’t love the beach!”  

2.       Paddling in the sea – increased heart rate by 62% 

Having a splash in the sea was a close second when it came to getting the pooches excited. Getting wet and padding in the water increased heart rates by 62% suggesting once again a completely new experience will arouse a dog’s interest.  

3.       A country walk – increased heart rate by 58% 

Getting out in the fresh air also proved to be a favourite. While it’s well known that going for a walk is always a popular activity for pups, a new walk in the countryside raised heart rates more than a regular walk at home (45%), suggesting that being out in nature is beneficial to our furry friends. 

4.       Playing fetch in a field – increased heart rate by 57% 

Playing fetch with the dogs served to raise their heart rates by 57% on average. Exercise is essential to a dog’s well-being and playing fetch, or any similar running game, is an ideal way for a pooch to blow off some steam and have fun. 

5.       Arriving at a holiday home – increased heart rate by 39% 

The anticipation of arriving at a new destination had a huge effect on the dogs, as exiting the car and entering the holiday home saw an average increase of 39%. A chance for a pooch to explore a new location and get to grips with their new space is very exciting for them. 

6.       Relaxing by the fire – increased heart rate by 11% 

A much more relaxing activity, sitting by the fire increased the resting heart rate by 11%. While a very calming activity, being cosy by the fire with their owner creates a sense of pleasure and contentment in dogs. 

Nick’s top tips on how to tell if your dog is enjoying its holiday are: 

1. For older, more relaxed dogs they may seem more contented and spend more time sleeping by the fire, like a person might visit a spa to destress.  
2. Young and excitable dogs can become bouncier and fuller of energy and excitement at the prospect of different walks and adventures.  
3. No matter what your dog’s energy levels are, loose relaxed muscles and a wagging tail are good indicators that your dog is enjoying their holiday. 

Lisa Williams, director of marketing and holiday sales at Park Leisure, says, “So many of our holiday homeowners and visitors have told us how much their furry friends love staying at our parks, so it’s really interesting to see the data to back it up.  

“The results show how different holiday activities excite our pooches, whether at the beach or enjoying our stunning countryside. We have a range of locations to suit any pooches preferences from the stunning coastline of Cornwall to the beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire and North Wales.  

“All our locations are pet-friendly, and we’re introducing measures in all of our parks to go the extra mile to accommodate them. This includes facilities such as dog bowls, washing and poo bag stations, doggy treats at reception, and handy resources to give visitors important information about the local area, such as emergency vets, good walking spots and dog friendly pubs and cafes. These are already a key feature at our Pentire, Amble Links, Chantry and Yorkshire Dales parks, and will become standard in all locations by the end of summer. 

“Pets aren’t so different from us really, and most of the benefits we get from taking a staycation are just as helpful for our pups, whether the fresh country air or fresh sea breeze, the chance to switch off and relax, or just the change of scenery. 

“There are so many reasons to treat yourself to trips away regularly and now our study proves that your dog will love it just as much as you do!” 

For more information on the research and video diaries of the dogs who took part, visit: https://www.parkleisure.co.uk/news/study-reveals-dogs-love-holidays-just-as-much-as-we-do  

To find out more about Park Leisure’s holiday homes: visit this link

A lucky man from Milton Keynes is celebrating after he won the £500,000 top prize on an online Instant Win Game from The National Lottery, and all while his 16-week-old puppy spent a penny.

Gareth Bradley (41), a supermarket store manager, was running a series of job interviews from home when, in a break between calls, he logged on to his online National Lottery account and started to play the online Instant Win Game, Mega Cashword. He said,

“I’d actually gone onto the National Lottery app to play Lotto but decided as there was a little more in the account than I realised, I’d treat myself and play an online Instant Win Game too. I’d pressed the final letter to be revealed in the game when Ruby, our springer spaniel puppy, made it very clear she needed to spend a penny. In a situation like that you don’t mess about, so I quickly put the phone down and immediately took her outside.

“Ruby’s penny spent, we came back into the house and as I picked up my phone saw it was flashing £500,000. I just couldn’t work out what had happened, so I logged into my National Lottery account where I saw a balance of £500,000. Turns out, the last letter I pressed was the top prize-winning M!”

Not knowing whether to scream or cry with joy, Gareth instead rang his partner of eight years, Connor Dennis (28), to share the news. Connor said,

“Gareth sounded really shaky as he fought back the tears, saying to me ‘you won’t believe what’s happened’. Given the times we are living through I assumed the worst and that something dreadful had happened. I ran out of the open plan office thinking I needed to find somewhere private to commiserate with him, only to discover I needed somewhere private to let out some whoops of delight, but only after he’d sent me a video of the winning message to prove he wasn’t winding me up!”

Gareth comes from a big and loving family but clearly has a reputation for the odd wind up because his three sisters and brother all asked for video evidence of his win when he rang to share the news. He said,

“All my siblings thought it was a joke but now they know it’s real, they are over the moon for us, news of this win has given so many people a boost. We are a really close-knit family who love a laugh and a joke, but we’ve had our tough times too. We lost my mum and dad five years ago, mum in the May and dad in June, so of course we are sad they are not here to be part of this moment.”

For Gareth and Connor, who have been working throughout the pandemic, their £500,000 National Lottery win is the culmination of a busy few months. In September, Gareth, who has twice been a proud ‘donor dad’ for very close friends, celebrated the birth of his second son, this joyful event was closely followed by a new job for Gareth, the purchase of their first home together and finally welcoming Ruby into their lives. Gareth said,

“It’s been a crazy time all round, but I think winning £500,000 while your puppy spends a penny has to be the craziest of them all!”

The pair have no plans to give up work, instead they will set aside a lump sum to pay off the mortgage. Connor said,

“We can’t get our heads around how lucky we have been, we’ve only had to pay the mortgage for three months and now have the funds to never have to pay it again.

“We know we’ve been lucky and while we do have a few frivolous plans – a Rolex for me and a Range Rover to replace Gareth’s Kia – we are not going to waste this luck. We have lots of plans to really make the money work hard so that it’s there for our families in the longer term.”