Like the majority of pet owners, our experience of the veterinary professional was largely positive. On the whole, the staff we had encountered were professional and administered a good standard of care to our animals. 

Then one night in January 2010, our world was thrown into turmoil when our beloved Great Dane Ted was admitted into the care of an emergency out-of-hours practice with suspected 'bloat'. That was the last we ever saw of Ted. 

He died some 12 hours later, through what I believe was an initial delay in any clinical intervention.

Our reason for pressing for change has been forged through our attempts to get answers about what happened to Ted that night. 

Having undergone this dreadful experience we have realised just how little external scrutiny there is of the veterinary profession and just how ineffective the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is at policing its own members. 

We were astonished to learn that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has no power to discipline members guilty of mere 'negligence' in the care of an animal. 

This is at odds with every other professional body operating today and it is time for change!

I have started an online diary which I am running in conjunction with this campaign. It highlights the reasons why this piece of legislation needs to change in line with present day expectations.

You can follow our fight to get Justice for Ted at: