Westminster buskers are ‘exploiting’ costumed dogs
A report to London councillors highlights how busking regulators noticed an increase in the use of animals, with dogs being particularly used in street performances.
Sarah, a chow chow rescued from an abusive busker, now lives in a loving new home.
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Dogs dressed in glasses and hats are being exploited by London buskers for tourist cash.
But now, they are being rescued from the streets amid concerns about their welfare.
A chow chow called Sarah was confiscated by Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police from a busker on Oxford Street.
She is among two of that breed to be taken off the streets of London in recent months.
Vicki Bannon was the animal warden who managed to get Sarah the chow chow away from an abusive busker.
Sarah had trouble breathing whilst with her abusive busker. But now she is re-homed with a loving new family and is “healthy and happy.”
Westminster’s licensing committee discussed the problem of dog exploitation during a meeting on Wednesday.
In the meeting, they discussed wider busking regulations against buskers who exploit dogs.
Councillor Jacqui Wilkinson told the meeting that four more dogs were rescued from the streets of Westminster this week.
She said the presence of dogs in London raised questions about how they are getting into the UK.
Cllr Jacqui Wilkinson told the BBC, “we’ve had vets talking to us about public health, of dogs coming into the country with fake passports.”
The council is looking into this problem alongside tourist hotspots including Oxford Street, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.
The number of complaints about busking in Westminster have decreased from 2,557 in 2016-17 to 1,733 in 2017-18.
This was after four council officers were introduced to manage the street entertainers.
An RSPCA spokesperson said anyone with concerns should contact them.
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HeadlineWestminster buskers are ‘exploiting’ costumed dogs
Short HeadlineCostumed dogs 'exploited' by Westminster buskers
StandfirstA report to London councillors highlights how busking regulators noticed an increase in the use of animals, with dogs being particularly used in street performances.
Dogs dressed in glasses and hats are being exploited by London buskers for tourist cash.
But now, they are being rescued from the streets amid concerns about their welfare.
A chow chow called Sarah was confiscated by Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police from a busker on Oxford Street.
She is among two of that breed to be taken off the streets of London in recent months.
Vicki Bannon was the animal warden who managed to get Sarah the chow chow away from an abusive busker.
Sarah had trouble breathing whilst with her abusive busker. But now she is re-homed with a loving new family and is “healthy and happy.”
Westminster’s licensing committee discussed the problem of dog exploitation during a meeting on Wednesday.
In the meeting, they discussed wider busking regulations against buskers who exploit dogs.
Councillor Jacqui Wilkinson told the meeting that four more dogs were rescued from the streets of Westminster this week.
She said the presence of dogs in London raised questions about how they are getting into the UK.
Cllr Jacqui Wilkinson told the BBC, “we’ve had vets talking to us about public health, of dogs coming into the country with fake passports.”
The council is looking into this problem alongside tourist hotspots including Oxford Street, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.
The number of complaints about busking in Westminster have decreased from 2,557 in 2016-17 to 1,733 in 2017-18.
This was after four council officers were introduced to manage the street entertainers.
An RSPCA spokesperson said anyone with concerns should contact them.
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