Howls of fury as Kennel Club bars blind dogs from contests

BLIND dogs have been banned from taking part in competitions after the Kennel Club ruled that the activities cause the animals too much stress.

The unexpected ban has angered dozens of owners – who say their pets have long enjoyed taking part – but the club claims the disciplines involved cause “anxiety” for the animals.

The leading body for the protection of dogs’ welfare said: “It was felt that the stress of a busy, unfamiliar environment and the inability to see other dogs and their body language may potentially lead to hazardous situations and could cause anxiety and stress.

“The Kennel Club is committed to the health and welfare of dogs competing in its various activities and considers this is in the best interest of those dogs.

“It is not in the best interests of blind dogs to compete in activities’ disciplines.”

The club added: “Following consideration by the activities committee and the board it was considered that for the health and welfare of such dogs, they should not compete in any [of the] activities’ discipline. This specifically relates to those dogs which have no sight whatsoever and does not directly apply to dogs with partial vision.”

Angry owners of blind dogs are calling on the club to scrap the ban.

Nearly 1,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the ruling to be revoked, claiming it discriminates against blind dogs.

Protest organiser Joanna Holmes said: “Each and every dog is different. There are many dogs that find any of the activity competitions held by Kennel Club-registered activity clubs stressful. There are often dogs, we have witnessed ourselves, that find some of the aspects of the competition environment stressful.

“We have witnessed blind dogs at complete ease in the noisy and busy competition environment,” she said. “If you were to ban all the groups of dogs that ‘could’ find the competitions and the competition environment stressful then all dogs would be banned for welfare reasons.we feel that the rule is discriminatory and stops blind dogs from enjoying the stimulating activities that sighted dogs enjoy.”

One owner of a blind dog said: “They accept their handicap and can continue living a full life. Not for one minute do they feel sorry for themselves.”

Another owner, called Wendy, said: “A blanket ban like this is sheer discrimination. The owners of dogs know their dogs and what they are capable of. Please re-think this poor decision.”