Well finally I have been able to speak to someone at the SPCA. My sister wasn't always able to get to make phone calls so I stepped in to follow up for her. Long and the short of it is the inspector has spoken to the owner, the fellow who walks Abbey and the trainer! She also took the walker to task about being 'heavy handed' with Abbey that particular night and will follow up again - but at this stage she's confident Abbey is okay! (DUH!) The privacy act prevents her from telling me much more but at least they know the SPCA is on to them now - hopefully they'll been scared enough that Abbey won't suffer any more. There must be some training issues with Abbey but I don't know any trainer who would support punching a dog in the head and pinning it to the ground! There's obviously more to this than we all know about but Abbey is in the SPCA's radar now .......

Col Col no mention on what the owner thought of the treatment his walker was giving to his dog. I hope he has given the walker the sack, or is that too much to hope for. Perhaps the SPCA should have taken the owner to task on his poor selection of walker and asked why he continues to subject his dog to that persons presence.

No no mention - I might call again today and see if I can actually speak to the inspector myself as this information was left on my answerphone yesterday. Maybe the owner didn't know what was going on (or the trainer for that matter - they do now though! But agree - the 'walker' should be sacked! If the owner took the time and responsibility to walk his own dog, provide some stability and consistency and bond with her she might not need a trainer!