North Canterbury News: November 14, 2019

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ANIMAL CARE 18 North Canterbury News, November 14, 2019 KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED ALL PUPPIES SHOULD HAVE TAILS This month, Rangiora VetCentre celebrates the one-year anniversary of the banning of tail-docking in dogs in New Zealand. In certain breeds, like the Fox Terrier, Corgi and Rottweiler, breeders had previously docked puppies’ tails so that they conformed to adesired look. Docking was carried out in young puppies, usually without any anaesthetic or pain relief. Apart from the obvious pain this caused, docking puppies’ tails also frequently gave rise to ongoing pain from changes to the nerves caused by severing them. Tails help dogs with balance and communication, and while they do occasionally get injured, studies show that around 500 dogs need to be docked to avoid one tail injury. Given the benefits of having atail, the risks associated with docking, and the lack of serious injury to tails, the benefits of tail docking for nontherapeutic purposes just didn’t stack up for organisations which have fought for this ban for nearly 3decades –the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the Veterinary Council of NZ and the RNZSPCA. By 2014, there was mounting scientific evidence against the practice due to an increased knowledge of pain perception in neonates, and the argument had moved away from determining if the practice was painful to determining if the practice was necessary. In 2017, then Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, decided that it was time to prohibit non-therapeutic docking of dog tails and this came into NZ law on November 1 st ,2018. Recently abreeder of Rottweilers was prosecuted under the new rules, after amember of the public saw pictures of puppies for sale missing their tales. All puppies available for sale should now, bylaw, have their tails. If you see docked puppies, please call your SPCA. It is areal joy tothe vets, nurses and support staff of RVC towitness the puppies and dogs of those breeds who were previously docked, now coming into our clinics and being able to fully express their delight in seeing us, and to communicate with the other dogs they meet in amuch more natural way. CARING FOR THE ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS Expert and knowledgeable staff, friendly welcoming service you can rely on. RANGIORA • KAIAPOI • WOODEND Shared custody ... Two of Jane Buckingham’s chickens are happy to establish acoparenting arrangement for the care of achick. PHOTO: RACHELMACDONALD Chickensdecide on co-parenting deal By RACHEL MACDONALD Chickens are notoriousfor not beingvery nice to each other, especiallywhen it comestootherhens,and their nestsand babies. It’s all part of thepeckingorder. However, at Summerhill’s Hilo Farm, there’sawee chick —atiny orpington barnvelder cross —that has three mothers. One is its humanmum, Jane Buckingham,who dishes outthe food. The othertwo are hens,who are busy coparenting the little one. More usually, the adoptive mother wouldhave killedthe chick when she movedinonits nest and, in the process, the twoadult birdswould havefought. Jane feels things haveworked out in this more unusual manner because she sold some of her layers, leavingroom for the others to be abit more flexiblethan usual. ‘‘I used to have 10 layers, but Isold six, whichmeant Ihad room to leave the broody hens in the chookhouse,rather than transferring them to crates to hatch theireggs, as Iusuallywould,’’ shesays. ‘‘I ended up with one hen sitting on 12 eggs in anest she had builtinthe hay on the ground under the nestingboxes. Three of the eggs hatched, but onlyone chick survived. In the nesting boxes above,Ihad two other broodiescontemplating families, and when the chick’s mum got off her nest to go to eat and drink, one of those broody hens jumped downand sat on thechick.’’ When the chick’smum returned, she simply hopped into the nest too, to sit on her remainingeggs. ‘‘So Iendedupwith two hens in the same nest,’’ Janesays. ‘‘I can’t thinkofabetter outcomefor the chick. It cheepstoboth for help and comfort, and both respond. And usually, my chicks would be keptsafe in the barn untilthey’re big enough to see off predators, but nothing’s goingtoget through these girls.’’ Mazey takes pet day in her stride www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz Best buddies ... Millie Kelman,aged 10, of Loburn,with herSuffolk ewe, Mazey, during the Loburn School (incorporating Okuku School) 150thJubileecelebrationslast Friday. Story, page 19. PHOTO:SHELLEY TOPP
ANIMAL CARE The North Canterbury News, November 14, 2019 19 Jumping day popular By RACHEL MACDONALD Oxford Pony Club, once the training ground of Olympian Tim Price, runs two annual fundraising events ayear. There’s aOne Day Event at the start of the season, and then ashowjumping day, which was held last weekend. The club was pleased with the turnout for Sunday’s event, treasurer Jill Stevenson said. ‘‘Pony club is open to riders aged under 24 years old, and this year we had 109 horserider combinations competing across three rings. ‘‘They comprised the joint pony and hack classes, then the ponies and the hacks individually.’’ The club has about 20 members this year, and is growing, Jill says. However, competitions like this are open to allcomers, even those not affiliated to the pony club network —it’s just a case of filling in abit of paperwork. The outing was held at the club’s permanent quarters at the Carleton Domain, where it has set up base and installed an arena. ‘‘At the moment, for events like this, we have to beg, borrow, and steal jumps and poles that provide new experiences for our members and their ponies. It would be ideal if we had more of our own, and that’s what we’re fundraising for this year,’’ she says. Winning duo ... Jade Wills ridesTiger Twin LS to firstplace in the pony 105cm class atlast Sunday’s Oxford Pony Club showjumping day. PHOTO CREDIT: WWW.OLIVIASKIDMOREPHOTOGRAPHY.COM. ‘‘For example, one jump on Sunday had big butterflies on the side of it, and many ponies had no idea what to think about horseeating butterflies and baulked. ‘‘However, at apony club day, it just takes one brave pony to give something like that ago, and others will follow. ‘‘The same goes for our members; there are things they won’t try at home, but here, they support each other into new confidence.’’ Riding coach Justine Robinson agrees that things are looking positive for the club. ‘‘We have agreat vibe — everyone works well and we all put in. Even the younger riders who aren’t competing pitch in on days like Sunday, picking up fallen poles and restoring the course,’’ she says. ‘‘Another highlight is our New Year camp up at Quartz Hill Station, near Windwhistle, which is achance for members to get out of the arena and into big wide open spaces on treks, bond with each other and their ponies, and try news things.’’ Family friend ... QuinnSmith,aged 5, withhis family’slabrador/huntaway cross, Kitt, during lastFriday’s Pet Day at Loburn School. PHOTO:SHELLEY TOPP Animals hoof it to pet day Loburn School’s annual pet day took on special significance this year when it was incorporated into the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The traditional family day was held at the school last Friday on the opening day of the celebrations, which incorporated Okuku School, which closed in 1987, with many former pupils from both schools attending. Alarge selection of animals were on show during the day, including dogs, pigs, sheep, goats and horses. The Johnston family’s friendly poodle/boxer cross Rosco attracted alot of attention. So did the three weekold Boer goat kids owned by Madeleine Bint, aged 9, of Loburn. Madeleine said goats made great pets because they were friendly and loved cuddles. School principal Stuart Priddy likened the pet day to the ‘‘Royal Show’’ of pet parades in his opening speech. Loburn contract shearer Rowan Nisbett gave asheepshearing exhibition during the day and the AMI Fire Safe yellow fire engine was apopular attraction among the children. Devonshire teas, made by the Loburn Women’s Institute, and served on vintage china, proved popular. NOW THIS IS ACHRISTMAS BONUS * . ® PURCHASE 1x5L GET AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL VETERINARY PRACTICE www.alleva.co.nz GET GET BOSS® is aregistered trademark of Alleva Animal Health Limited. BOSS® Pour-on is approved under the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10817. BOSS triple combination mineralised drench for sheep is approved under the ACVM Act 1997, No. A11614. *Complimentary ham, Barkers gift box and Premium Game salami pack available only while stocks last. Complimentary ham received may vary from the advertised image. Qualifying purchases: Purchase 1x2.5L ofBOSS pour-on and receive 1free ham. Purchase 1x5LofBOSS pour-on and receive 1free ham and 1Barker’s gift box. Purchase 1x20L ofBOSS triple drench for sheep and receive 1Premium Game salami pack. 1x2.5L xPURCHASE 1x20L xPURCHASE
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North Canterbury News: November 14, 2019

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