As you may have noticed in recent years the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become an incredibly popular breed all over the UK for all different types of dog owners. But did you know that this great popularity has also brought great suffering?

 

Staffordshire Bull Terriers and SBT crosses are being over-bred meaning that every year thousands of them are left without homes, ending up in Council Pounds or Rescue centres and some suffering an even worse fate - being 'put to sleep' simply because they have nowhere to go.

 

 

In the UK, local authorities are recorded to pick up approximately 10,000 stray dogs every year. Luckily many of these are either re-united with their owners or are put in to Rescue care where they will be health checked and looked after until a new forever home can be found.

 

But Rescue spaces are hard to find for Staffies these days, as most are either already full of Staffies or are having to limit the amount they can care for at one time.

 

 

Around 7,000 dogs are euthanised every year in the UK (and over 10,000 in Ireland) after their 7 days in the pound is completed. Sadly, they are discarded like a waste product of our society.

 

It has become obvious to many people involved in dog rescue

that the majority of these 'death row dogs' are staffies.

 

But it's not the fault of the Local Council's or the Pound staff - the people who have to care for the dogs and call the vets in to give the dogs their final injections. It's the fault of the people in our society who allow their dogs to breed with no proper thought or care given to where those puppies might end up, and the people who take on a dog without thinking seriously about whether or not it is right for their lifestyle.

 

 

What can you do to help save the Staffies?

 

>> READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP

 

 

 

 

 

 

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URGENT APPEAL!

July 2009

 

HELP TO BRING BRUCE HOME

 

 

This dog desperately needs our help.

Check out the links at SaveTheStrays.co.uk for more information

 

 

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Just a Staffy Cross.

Today is just another day - to me they're all the same
I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the "Staffy" shame.
The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home.
Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels all alone.
My mum was "just a Staffy", my father - well who knows?
Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.
And then begins the process, of money-making deals
A life of "moving on" unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?
If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours

But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.
You brought me for your image, thought I'd make you look more tough
But you'll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.
If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise
You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.
I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see
You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.

And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime
The retail on an adult staff - not worth the waste of time.
So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know?
Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?
Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffy now?"
The "Staffy" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.
Me, I was put into a car and driven far away

The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.
It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you
You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.
I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.
Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.
Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim
The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.
This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up
If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup
As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh
I'm sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.



- by Trudie James, Doris Banham Dog Rescue