Eggs pert advice on how to have a dog friendly Easter

WITH the Bank Holiday Easter weekend fast approaching, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, is reminding dog owners to keep chocolate out of reach of our 4 legged friends. As Easter eggs and other tasty cocoa treats find their way into homes, the charity hopes to raise awareness of the continued risk that the consumption of chocolate poses to our canine companions. Dogs Trust is providing top tips and advice for owners on how to have a dog friendly Easter.

Josie Cocks, Dogs Trust Veterinary Surgeon, explains the importance of not allowing dogs to eat human chocolate:- "Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, so owners should ensure they keep it out of reach of their 4 legged friends. Whilst some chocolate is more toxic than others, any amount is potentially harmful to your dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, we advise owners to contact their vet immediately. Chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, excitability, drooling, seizures and potentially kidney and heart failure."

The charity advises:-

► Never give your pooch any human chocolate as a treat. Ensure that children and visitors understand why and adhere to this rule too.

► Make sure that bins are dog-proof to prevent them scavenging through rubbish.

► Never leave any chocolate unsupervised, such as cakes cooling on worktop surfaces.

► Teach your dog to move away from something when you ask them to:- 'leave it.' This valuable life skill will come in handy if your dog reaches for something they shouldn't have.

► Keep a close eye on your dog whilst out walking, to avoid them scoffing discarded food that is potentially harmful.

Although our canine companions won't be eating human chocolate, there are plenty of other ways for them to enjoy the holiday weekend.

Charlotte Huggins, Canine Behaviour Officer at Dogs Trust, offers some suggestions:- "There are plenty of exciting things we can do with our pets over the holiday weekend. Taking them on their own Easter hunt around the house or garden, that includes dog friendly treats instead of chocolate is a great way of bonding and giving our dogs lots of stimulation. You could also use the front of Easter egg boxes to teach your dog to do the snoot challenge or use the boxes to hide their toys or treats in for them to sniff out. If you want to have a go at something a little bit different, get a couple of boxes set a little distance apart and holding your dog's treats or favourite toy in 1 hand, slowly start to guide them in a figure of 8 around the 2 boxes. Then reward your dog! Dog owners could also build them their own Easter bunny burrow, or 'Doggy Den' so your furry friend has a cosy, comfortable place to sleep undisturbed in the house."

For more information and advice visit:- DogsTrust.Org.UK/Advice.
 

Liverpool City Region makes landmark move to protect people from discrimination on grounds of social class

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has published an ambitious Equality Strategy that seeks to ensure people are not discriminated against because of their social class. The move comes as evidence suggests that the cost of living crisis will have the biggest impact on those already affected by inequality, including:- disabled people, women, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those living in deprived communities. Through the new Equality Strategy, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has committed to more than 40 actions to tackle inequality for people with protected characteristics. In the Equality Act 2010, 9 characteristics were identified as:- 'protected' is:- race, religion, disability, age, LGBTQ+, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, sex, and pregnancy and maternity. The Combined Authority has now added:- "socio economic status" to this list; as recommended by the Social Mobility Commission in 2021.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "When I was elected to this role, I promised that we would build the fairest, strongest and most socially just place possible; a place where no 1 is left behind. It's disgraceful that; in 2022; discrimination and prejudice are still rife in much of society. Every year that is reiterated by high profile events; from Covid19, to the tragic murders of George Floyd and Sarah Everard. It is time to break that cycle. In the Liverpool City Region, we're taking firm action to tackle those inequalities head on. We've funded numerous projects to try to level that playing field, from schemes to ensure that women and girls feel safe travelling on public transport to major projects that tackle racial inequality. It cannot be right that people's life chances are mapped out at birth, their entire lives decided because of who they are, where they were born or the size of their family's bank account. As a middle aged white man, I know that my job is to listen; to learn, to amplify, and to supplement the efforts of those most affected. I am committed to ensuring that our City Region leads the way and sets an example for others to follow. We've developed the Equality Strategy in partnership with those who are impacted by inequality. It is their voices and ideas that have helped to shape it. It is our commitment and our plan to help tackle inequality head on and eliminate the disadvantages that people with protected characteristics, and people living in poverty, face."

Developed in partnership with employees, trade union representatives, residents, advisory panels and Local Authority partners, the Equality Strategy sets out how the Combined Authority will prioritise those left behind, disadvantaged, or experiencing discrimination, and reduce inequality by enhancing how public services are delivered.

Specifically, it sets out how it will make sure that people with the protected characteristics set out in the Act, as well as those disadvantaged by their socio economic status, are not discriminated against in employment, when seeking employment, or when engaged in occupations or activities related to work.

The new Equality Strategy, which will be reviewed every year, also sets out more than 40 specific actions the Combined Authority will take in its 3 main areas of activity: as a major employer with nearly 1000 staff; as a funder and investor, spending more than ₤100 million each year, and as a civic leader, with a powerful convening role through the Mayor.

The Equality Strategy will run alongside the new Social Value Framework, which sets out how everything the Combined Authority does will be designed not only to generate a financial impact, but a positive societal 1 too.