THREE TIMES A DAY IN TURIN
Don’t tell your dog, but in the Italian city of Turin it is a legal requirement to walk your pet at least three times a day. In Wenvoe it seems, our love of pets has never been greater and we have no need for such a law with ‘walkies’ commonplace most times of the day, providing many an opportunity for owners to catch up on the latest gossip and escapades of their ca-nine charges.
With a population in 2021 of 2,752, a rough and ready calculation based on recent surveys, suggests that there could be 300 dogs in our village! A survey in March 2023, commissioned by ‘Dogs Trust’, revealed that around 27% of adults own a dog and 36% of households. Swindon had the highest dog ownership per thousand people in the UK with 316.48. The survey revealed that pet ownership levels generally peaked to an unprecedented high of 62% in 2022, likely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and increased time spent at home. The majority of owners (65%) ac-quired their pets when dogs were under 1 year of age. Less than 5% of dogs were acquired when considered ‘senior’ (around 8 years of age and older). Dog owners it seems are happy to pay top dollar for their new ‘best friend.’ The majority of respondents paid between £250 and £1,000 for their dog. However, just over 15% were prepared to fork out between £1000 and £3,000 for their new pet. Currently, the most common breeds are the Labrador, Cocker Spaniel/Poodle and Jack Russell terrier.
Did you know?
In an interview in 2013, Paul McCartney said that he added a frequency only dogs can hear to the end of the Beatles song ‘A Day in the Life’ which was by co-incidence also mentioned in last month’s front cover story about potholes. Anyway, watch your dog when you play the song!
Did you know that three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic; all apparently in first class? The dogs included a Pomeranian puppy – which her owner wrapped in a blanket to es-cape with, and everyone thought she was carrying a baby. Another Pomeranian and a Pekingese were also rescued.
Not only do we love our dogs, but increasingly owners are proudly entering them in dog shows. As reported in April’s What’s On, Wenvoe’s Carolyn Horton won the Dog Obedience category at Crufts in 2022 and came second in this year’s competition. The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show usually provides such an opportunity. This year’s show returns to Penllyn on Wednesday 7th August. Further afield the South Wales Kennel Association has its four day show at the Royal Welsh Show ground, Builth Wells on 10th October.
Not everyone of course loves dogs. Dog fouling tops many people’s list of concerns regarding problems found on the streets. Responsible dog owners do not need reminding that it is an offence not to remove any faeces deposited by their dog. The Vale council warn that if you fail to pick up after your dog you could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 or be prosecuted which could result in a fine of up to £1,000.’ Clearly, dog faeces as well as urine, can cause health issues for those who come into contact with it. Less seriously, though often annoyingly, it can have a bad effect on private lawns. Bitches in particular, cause the greatest damage, because they tend to urinate in one spot, rather than dogs who tend to mark many spots and pass small amounts.
Barking can also be a problem. However there is a solution. You can move to Little Rock, Arkansas where a local law prohibits dogs from barking after 6 pm!
