Law, ethics and professional practice — Part 1: euthanasia of healthy, but aggressive, dogs

ABSTRACT:

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is in place to protect the public from aggressive dogs. Many dogs are euthanased as a result of vicious attacks on animals and people, especially children. The first article in this three-part series will focus on why dogs bite and the consequences of aggressive tendencies – for the dog, dog owner, veterinary surgeon and the veterinary nurse. The veterinary nurse has a duty of care ethically and professionally, but not every case is ‘black and white’. So what would you do if you disagreed with the decision to euthanase a healthy, but potentially aggressive, dog?

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Nina Tudor

Nina Tudor BSc(Hons) CVN DipAVN(Small Animal) DipHE CVN RVN MBVNA

Nina qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1998 and in 2012 she graduated with an Honours Degree in Clinical Veterinary Nursing from Myerscough College. After spending 16 years in several small animal practices – general, charity and referral – Nina is now working as a veterinary nurse teaching assistant at Harper Adams University.