Dear Members and Potential Members
Several months ago The Utonagan Society were contacted by the RSPCA and Environmental Health, regarding a Utonagan breeder. Due to numerous complaints from the public they have been investigating this breeder, who turned out to have approx. 51 Utonagan dogs and puppies, many of which were in need of urgent veterinary care. Several adults and pups are only now receiving treatment because they were removed from this breeder by the RSPCA, under police escort.
Sadly at least one puppy has already died on route from the breeder to the RSPCA as a result of severe worm burden. Approx 3 to 4 litters of Utonagan puppies were housed in the breeder's house, and the RSPCA fear more have been born since.
Not all of this breeder's dogs were present when the police gained access for the RSPCA, as the breeder had been informed by some unscrupulous member of the public and had relocated several dogs and pups prior to the inspection.
After being reported to the RSPCA photos were sent to TUS committee, by a concerned member of the public, revealing some of these puppies with worms in both their vomit and faeces. Heartbreaking to say the least, but we thank them sincerely for their help and honesty in this situation. Three other dogs are still unaccounted for.
Due to this reprehensible situation and the inexcusable actions of those involved, TUS cannot and will not advocate our members being involved with two separate Utonagan groups. Even if they do purport to have the same goal. More than one breed group, as has been proved time and time again, only hinders communication, knowledge and thus progress for both owners and the dogs themselves.
The breeder under investigation by the animal welfare people is NOT a Utonagan Society member, but until RSPCA prosecution we cannot divulge their name. As much as it saddens us, this breeder is entitled to anonymity until Proven innocent or guilty.
In conclusion, we are sorry to say that it must be one Society/Club or the other. Anyone already involved in another Utonagan 'group' will be denied membership unless they choose to depart from the former group. Any existing members who are part of another group concurrent with TUS will have their membership revoked immediately.
The choice is yours - The members and Potential members. It's your decision. No arm twisting, no mud slinging, it's your choice.
We just wish we could be clearer so you could make a more informed decision.
Thank you
From the Utonagan Society committee.
Update for all Utonagan owners and TUS Members
As promised below is an update on the outcome of the Environmental Health case against Nadia Carlyle, the case was concluded on 30.8.07 and this official press release has been forwarded to us for inclusion on the Society website. This item will be featured in the Gloucester local press later today.
Would all interested parties please note that the RSPCA case against Nadia Carlyle is still pending and though related is a separate case to the Environmental Health case. Various users on various chat forums have got their wires crossed and incorrectly and misleadingly quoted that it is the RSPCA case which has reached a conclusion and for which a guilty plea has been entered, this is incorrect. We are still awaiting notification of a further trial date for this case and indeed whether the defence are pleading guilty or not!! Because of various delays, it is sadly unlikely this case will be concluded before the New Year.
Again we at TUS can only state that sadly the longer the RSPCA case is delayed, the longer all of the dogs concerned, have to remain in RSPCA kennels. Until such time that the case is finalised or the owner transfers ownership to the RPSCA for them so that they can be re-homed, the dogs will remain in kennels, something which deeply saddens us all.
In our view whether a person feels they are guilty or not, especially now that the courts have issued the CRASBO stating that they can only keep two dogs, then surely for the sake of the dogs' future and wellbeing, they should transfer ownership to the RSPCA and let them be placed in loving caring permanent homes where they'll get the individual attention and love they so deserve.
Regards TUS Committee
Update 10th Sept 2007
Further reports have been forthcoming from the thisisgloucestershire.co.uk website. For details visit the links below.
