Dog lover invited to prestigious awards

8:40am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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A DOG lover has been invited to the prestigious ‘Woman of the Year’ awards in London.

The event, which is being held at the Guildhall on October 13, celebrates the work of outstanding women the world over. Previous winners include Baroness Thatcher, Paula Radcliffe and Tina Turner.

Carol Fowler, of Wotton-under-Edge, will be attending the event with Beverley Cuddy, editor of ‘Dogs Today’ magazine, and Jemima Harrison, director of the documentary film, ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’, which was shown on the BBC in August this year.

Carol’s research into the disease Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels played a large part in the make up of the film, whose aim was to make public the hereditary health problems which are the result of many years of inbreeding.

Carol’s first Cavalier, Bonnie, was badly affected by Syringomyelia and was put to sleep at just five years of age. A year later Carol’s second Cavalier, Rosie, was also found to be affected.

She said: "When I realised how widespread Syringomyelia was in the Cavalier breed and how many other dogs and their owners were suffering, I was determined to do something about it.

"The problem is a system where secrecy and denial is part of the culture; a system which puts undue emphasis on ‘beauty’ and show winning success rather than health."

Over the past three years Carol has lobbied breed clubs, the Kennel Club and welfare groups calling for change. In 2005 Carol enlisted the help of Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and together they met with officials at Defra and the Kennel Club.

Slow progress had been made until the broadcast of the BBC documentary. Since then, both the RSPCA and Dogs Trust have withdrawn their support for the internationally renowned dog show, Crufts.

Mr Clifton-Brown has nothing but praise for Carol. "What Carol has achieved is simply amazing," he said.

"To elevate this issue into the public arena is a tremendous feat. She thoroughly deserves to be recognised for all her hard work.

"I met with representatives of the Kennel Club and it seems the documentary has really shaken them up. If they make the changes they say they will, it can only be for the best."