Mayhew Animal Home: Afghanistan war dog arrives in London after dog-fighting escape

Tuesday, 3 February 2009 12:00 AM

Young puppy escapes brutal Afghan dog-fighting trade and is transported to The Mayhew

North London - The Mayhew Animal Home will be welcoming Bear - an Afghan war dog - to their rescue centre on Monday in order to find him a safe new home. Working as Mayhew International, the Home assisted ex-Royal Marine Penny Farthing in his wish to find Bear new owners to transform his life.

Penny Farthing runs the charity Nowzad Dogs, which he set up after rescuing several dogs from the stricken Afghan war zone when stationed as a Marine in 2006. Mayhew International worked with Penny to secure the dogs safe passage out of the country and the whole story of the incredible journey has been published and is released on February 4th, titled "One Dog at a Time"

Although Penny Farthing is no longer based in Afghanistan, he, like Mayhew International, is dedicated to raising the awareness of animal suffering in war zones around the globe. On hearing of Bear's plight from a Dutch soldier based in Afghanistan, he acted to assist his journey to England and contacted The Mayhew for help in finding him a caring owner.

Dog-fighting is rife in Afghanistan and there are no active agencies able to prevent the brutal blood sport. Although Bear has sustained injuries that link him to the dog-fighting trade, he is lucky enough to have escaped relatively unscathed. However, his ears were severed when only a pup, as preparation for use in fights as he grew. He is a firm reminder of the countless animals still suffering in war zones all over the World. Bear was transported out of Afghanistan at only 4 months old and has spent the last six months in quarantine.

Bear will be arriving with Sgt Farthing at The Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Green on February 9th and there will be opportunities for a photo call and interviews with Sgt Farthing and the International Projects Officer for Mayhew International at 1pm.

Penny Farthing said: "I am extremely happy that Bear-dog has now completed his quarantine period and has arrived at The Mayhew. It is a great feeling to know that he is going to be looked after by our friends at the Mayhew, which I have no doubt is the best place for him to find a permanent happy home in the UK.

It is sad that so many animals are affected by war, especially in Afghanistan and to be able to help just one is a reward in itself and a huge step to highlighting the undocumented suffering that animals in all war zones are subjected to."

Mayhew's International Projects Officer, Christopher Sainsbury, said: "Mayhew International is extremely pleased to again work with Penny Farthing to help the animals in Afghanistan. We realise that re homing all these animals in the UK is not the solution to the problem so will continue to fund and act abroad in order to tackle stray animal management and the associated welfare issues."

For more information about Mayhew International's work with the Nowzad dogs in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, please visit this link

For photographs of Bear's arrival on February 9 please contact Sarah Dickinson

ENDS

For the Editor

Mayhew International works to promote companion animal welfare and the humane management of homeless cats and dogs through a network of community animal care initiatives. Our work with vets interested in this area of animal welfare has a special significance for international development, benefiting communities in developing countries, many of whom rely on their animals for support.
. We advocate neutering as the most humane method of dealing with the overpopulation of companion animals.
. We offer information and advice on the setting up and running of sterilisation programmes.
. We collaborate with other welfare organisations and university veterinary faculties to provide low-cost veterinary services for local communities.
. We work with governments and local authorities in an advisory capacity to improve companion animal welfare conditions under their jurisdiction.
. We offer training for overseas veterinary personnel and animal welfare organisations.
. www.mayhewinternational.org

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