1.2 Kennel design
a) Many kennel designs are very barren. Sleeping platforms can
increase kennel complexity and three-dimensional space as
well as offering insulation from the cold and a vantage point
- so where possible, a platform should be provided.
b) The design and layout of kennels should allow dogs to
be able to control their visual access to their surroundings
and dogs in other kennels, where this is appropriate for the
individual dog, individual circumstances, and it is safe to do
so. This can be achieved in two ways:
i. in an open kennel, by having an area that the dog can
move into to avoid visual contact with other dogs,
and
ii. in a visually restricted kennel, by having a raised area,
e.g. a platform, to enable visual contact.
c) The layout of kennels should minimise the number of dogs
that staff disturb when removing any one individual, and
should also ensure the safety of staff when passing other
dogs with a dog on a leash. For example, staff can minimise
disturbance by choosing a route that passes the fewest dogs
(see section 5.3f) or by placing reactive dogs in a kennel
where few dogs need to go past.
d) Kennels should be designed and laid out in such a way as to
reduce noise (see section 1.7, below).
e) Every dog must be provided with continual access to a
comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet place to rest.
f) Every dog must be provided with somewhere he/she can
go to avoid things that frighten him or her. This could be the
sleeping area or underneath a sleeping platform, however,
to ensure safety for humans and dogs, platforms must be
hinged on one side to allow easy and safe access to the
animal if needed. Or a short partition wall across the activity
area could be provided, behind which the dog can retreat.
g) Bedding of a suitable material, e.g. shredded paper or fleece
material, must be provided. Chewing or destruction of
bedding should not result in restricted access, rather
alternative materials must be trialled. If it is found that a
dog persistently chews or destroys bedding then advice
should be sought from a suitably qualified behavioural expert
(see Appendix III) or veterinary surgeon and an assessment
made of how to resolve the problem. For example,
consideration should be given to the aspects of the dog's
environment that could be making it difficult for the dog to
cope, and changes implemented where appropriate.
1.3 Kennel size
a) The kennel area must be large enough to allow separate
sleeping and activity areas.
b) The kennel must be sufficiently large to allow each dog to
be able, as a minimum, to walk, turn around and wag his or
her tail without touching the sides of the kennel; to stand
SOCIAL CONTACT
Current standard practice tends to involve housing dogs
individually but it should be noted that this can compromise
the animal's welfare and so it is important that (where possible,
when appropriate for the individual dog, individual
circumstances, and it is safe to do so) kennels are designed
and laid out to allow dogs to exercise and control opportunities
for social contact with other dogs, unless there are clear
biosecurity or health and safety reasons not to do so.
Pair- and group-housing requires careful planning,
appropriate kennel design and the identification of
compatible individuals by trained and competent staff,
so this type of housing may not always be possible.
However, at a minimum, visual contact with other dogs
(where this is appropriate for the individual dog, individual
circumstances, and it's safe to do so) should be provided,
so long as the guidance below is followed and dogs have
a place where they can remain out of view when they
choose. Kennels and seizing authorities may wish to consider
pair- and group-housing for seized dogs from the same
household where appropriate.
MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT 07
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