Dublin SPCA And Ulster SPCA Warn Of Potential Canine Brucellosis Epidemic

national | miscellaneous | other press Wednesday May 06, 2009 19:36 by Kat - none none none

- PUPPY BREEDER CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF DISEASE – DEPARTMENT MUST TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO PREVENT ITS SPREAD

I would just like to forward this article from the Dublin SPCA website.
I feel this issue is not getting enough media attention. see story below.

Dublin SPCA and Ulster SPCA warn of potential canine brucellosis epidemic
3rd May 2009

DUBLIN SPCA AND ULSTER SPCA WARN OF POTENTIAL CANINE BRUCELLOSIS EPIDEMIC

- PUPPY BREEDER CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF DISEASE – DEPARTMENT MUST TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO PREVENT ITS SPREAD
Dublin, 3 May 09: Information received from reliable sources has led Dublin SPCA Animal Welfare personnel and their colleagues from the Ulster SPCA to visit a puppy farm in Offaly to investigate reports of a potentially devastating outbreak of a virulent disease amongst animals kept on the premises. Canine Brucellosis (Brucella canis) poses a public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Humans may develop a serious liver impairment or arthritis.

The farm, near Moate, is one of Europe’s largest mass breeding establishments and churns out thousands of so called ‘pedigree puppies’ each year to meet demand in Ireland and the UK for ‘designer dogs’.

Dublin SPCA and Ulster SPCA are jointly issuing warnings to their colleagues in the RSPCA, Irish and UK Kennel clubs and Veterinary Council of Ireland as well as Government Departments. Minister for the Environment John Gormley must introduce dog breeding regulations first promised by the department in 2006.

More at link
http://www.dspca.ie/news_item.php?number=1771&type=News&archive=No