DARREN KIRK

The window closes at midnight on 1st November. And right now, the people who want to see game shooting restricted are putting their evidence on record. The people who rely on it - shooters, handlers, trainers, beaters, pickers-up, working dog competitors - aren't keeping pace. BASC have said it plainly. There are an estimated 650,000 people involved in game shooting in England. The response so far? A fraction of that. This post is for everyone who's thought this doesn't apply to them. Because...

I had a phone call a while back that's stuck with me. A family had a five-month-old puppy. Spaniel. Full of life, full of energy - and biting them. Jumping up, nipping fingers, going for ankles. They'd tried everything they could find online. They'd been to see someone. That someone had told them the dog had behavioural issues. Possibly needed a behaviourist. Maybe even medication. They rang me to say they were going to have it put to sleep. A five-month-old puppy. Put to sleep. Because it...

You threw the dummy. Your pup flew out there, picked it up, and then... ran the other way. Or sat down with it. Or dropped it halfway back and started sniffing. Sound familiar?