Kennel faces threats af ter row over ‘ugly’ bull terriers
Police investigate hate campaign
TO some, they’re loveable and gentle. To others, they’re a public menace.
But now a row over the reputation of the Staffordshire bull terrier has resulted in a police investigation.
Trouble began when Conalter Boarding Kennels, near Crieff, Perthshire, declined to accept a booking from the owner of a Staffie, because of the breed’s supposed aggressive nature.
When the dog owner posted a complaint on the kennels’ Facebook page, a response appeared, branding Staffies ‘ugly, aggressive animals, much like their owners’.
The remark, which was accompanied by a smiley face symbol, attracted the ire of Staffie owners when it was shared on Twitter and Facebook.
Nearly 3,000 people have now signed an online petition urging Perth and Kinross Council to close down the kennels.
One signatory and Staffie owner, Paul Scott from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, said: ‘It makes you wonder how safe any other breed of dog will be if [the kennel owners] don’t have the skills to handle a dog as soft as a Staffie.’
Natalie Holmes, who started the campaign, wrote: ‘Due to the unprofessional approach and the lack of knowledge and integrity, this boarding kennels deserves nothing less than to be shut down.’
Shena Hogg, 60, who runs the kennels with husband Nigel, claims the comment was left by a hacker and has nothing to do with her – but she has maintained her stance against boarding Staffies.
She said: ‘I know there are some that are lovely but I won’t take the risk because I have children and grandchildren here. It’s a blanket policy.
‘I would absolutely never write such a thing. It does not reflect my opinion or that of the business. I am distraught that so many people have been offended and I can only apologise for that.’
Since the comment appeared more than 200 people have left the kennels one-star reviews on Yell, an online business directory. Its website has crashed due to the number of people trying to access it to post comments.
Mrs Hogg, who says she has ‘more than 30 years’ experience of working with animals, has received threats online and has had to close her personal and business social media accounts.
She said: ‘We’ve been receiving threats and malicious phone calls at all hours, which the police are now pursuing.
‘It’s admirable that people care so much for their pets. But to persecute me and attempt to destroy my livelihood because of this is cruel and unjustified.’
The spat has re-ignited an ongoing debate about whether Staffies are suitable pets for families with children or other dogs.
Rachel Fletcher, 36, of charity Save the Staffy, which provides legal representation for Staffie owners, said: ‘I have had Staffies all my life, and think they’re the softest breed i n the world. They’re completely fine with my eight-month-old baby. I think it’s appalling that someone in this position would say this.’
A spokesman for Save a Staffie Scotland added: ‘Staffies are one of the calmest, friendliest breeds. It is disappointing that someone working within the i ndustry would be happy to perpetuate myths.’
While Staffies are one of three breeds The Kennel Club ‘particularly’ recommends for families with children ‘because of their loyal and affectionate nature,’ they have been involved in violent incidents in recent years.
A nine-year-old girl was left with
‘I won’t take
the risk’ ‘Perpetuating
myths’
deep wounds on her arms, legs and back after being attacked by a Staffie in Ayr last April.
In September 2014, a Chihuahua was almost decapitated, and later died, after being mauled by a Staffie in Perth.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: ‘We only investigate kennels when licence conditions have been breached and animal welfare is considered to be at risk.’
Police Scotland have confirmed that they are investigating the threats.
A spokesman said: ‘ Police Scotland is aware of the matter and is making enquiries.’