Butchers & Bones

Bluefrog

My local butcher has recently posted a sign in his window saying there's a €2 charge for bones - is this common as I hadn't come across it before. In the past I've just picked up a couple of bones the odd time when I'm getting some meat. I had thought in my innocence that he'd be happy not to have to dispose of them himself.

smashey

Go to another butcher.

Bluefrog

Now why didn't I think of that but actually that wasn't what I asked.

AckwelFoley

Jesus.. what a tight arse.

Ive never seen that before.

If ur a regular customer id hope he wouldnt charge you.

Bluefrog

Well we were regular customers but now rethinking it. Not wanting to be cynical but this new policy started very shortly after the first time my partner (who's Canadian) went up and asked for bones. Can't help thinking her accent might have made him take a double take - taxi drivers constantly try to take advantage as they think she's not local.

AckwelFoley

Bluefrog wrote: »

Well we were regular customers but now rethinking it. Not wanting to be cynical but this new policy started very shortly after the first time my partner (who's Canadian) went up and asked for bones. Can't help thinking her accent might have made him take a double take - taxi drivers constantly try to take advantage as they think she's not local.

Go in and tell him you think its just really not on, and you tell him you're thinking of going elsewhere.

Bluefrog

Well I'm trying to get a sense of whether this is now common practice here - only recently got the dog (she's a rescue from owners that make the butcher look like a saint but that's another story) but have had some in the past and this wasn't an issue. If it isn't common practice maybe a naming and shaming would be less personal - he has big cleavers!!

tampopo

No, I've asked 6 or 7 butchers, in different surrounding areas (south side, city centre) with not a bother.

I am surprised. In fact, I'm only surprised I still get given bones cos I heard about 2 years ago the EU was banning butchers from giving bones for dogs /edit for bones edit/. A friend who lives in co. Wex asked in a butcher and was told, no, because of bse, the EU etc. My friend said "I'm not going to be eating the dog" ffs.

So. In short, no, haven't come across it. Tightfisted b'stard. You're helping him get rid of his offal.

strange

AckwelFoley

banning butchers from giving dogs for bones

Yes, its poor practice handing out dogs like that in a butchers

Bluefrog

Its a pity cause he has given us nice cuts for our own consumption - maybe there's been an outbreak of veganism in Glasnevin and times are tough...

I suppose I could go to the graveyard at midnight...

Lauragoesmad

I've heard, (Don't know how true this is) that nowadays most of the cuts of the meat are done at the slaughter houses instead of the butchers. Thats why they used to have a lot of bones but now have much less. And the reason bones aren't supposed to be given out is because people (As your butcher has decided!) should pay for them now.
I remember the days when the local butcher used to give us bags of off cuts of turkey, ham and corned beef for the dogs.

lightening

It costs the butcher 50 Euro to get rid of a wheelie bin full of bones. Your fella is incredibly mean, tight fisted and too lazy to saw them up.

My local butcher is delighted with the business, I always buy local and avoid supermarkets... He usually has the bones cut for me before I arrive.

(my dogs love him too)

mags16

A year or two ago, I was staying with a friend and her dog became very ill because she ate a bone. Blood, puke, poo everywhere! Now this dog has the jaws of a bull terrier and would pulverize the whole thing. The vet told us never to give bones to dogs. I do give my own dog the occasional bone but take it off her once the meat is gone and before she starts breaking it.

What do you think? I'm talking about lamb, pork and beef bones.

tampopo

our dog got sick one time too, but it wouldn't stop me getting bones from a butcher. I do it in phases.

I suspect it happened because when the dog got to the bone, I cracked it open and she got at the bone marrow.

I don't break the bones anymore and let her chew her way in to get to the marrow in her own time.

Bluefrog

Yeah for my dog it's a rare treat and I wouldn't let her have it for long - once I see it start to disintigrate in any way its taken from her. She does love them though and it's good for her teeth hygine I've heard. Also gives her less reason to chew on anything else - my shoes, the neighbour's kids....

The 'too lazy to saw them up' contribution might have been on the money too cause the last bone he gave for free was basically a pelvis and if you think I'm exaggerating check this out:

Lauragoesmad

That dog looks so happy!!:D

Bluefrog

You could say she's as happy as a butcher's dog if I had a nicer butcher...

Trojan911

So I was in my butchers shop today getting a few things, when I asked him if he charged for scrap bones. He told me he didn't, he gave them out free. I asked him if a butcher was to charge say €2 a bag, why would he do it?

He grinned and said "There's abviously a market for them then to make a few bob on the side".

javaboy

Trojan911 wrote: »

So I was in my butchers shop today getting a few things, when I asked him if he charged for scrap bones. He told me he didn't, he gave them out free. I asked him if a butcher was to charge say €2 a bag, why would he do it?

He grinned and said "There's abviously a market for them then to make a few bob on the side".

Don't be giving them ideas! That's probably the last free bone you'll get

Lil' Smiler

I remember when I was younger that my local Superquinn used to have a sign up to say to not to forget to ask for bones for your dog and similarly with cabbage stalks & loose leaves & broccoli stalks for bunny bags for my rabbits!

Did see a thingy in the vets last week in a magazine that bones aren't that healthy for dogs... didn't read it though was trying to stop the dog from peeing everywhere!!

Lauragoesmad

Lil' Smiler wrote: »

I remember when I was younger that my local Superquinn used to have a sign up to say to not to forget to ask for bones for your dog and similarly with cabbage stalks & loose leaves & broccoli stalks for bunny bags for my rabbits!

Did see a thingy in the vets last week in a magazine that bones aren't that healthy for dogs... didn't read it though was trying to stop the dog from peeing everywhere!!

Superquinn still give out bones.

artieanna

Well if you were charged for bones you're butcher is a right tight fisted meanie:mad::mad::mad:...

He should be delighted to be able to get rid of them, saves him disposing of them.

Dogs love marrowbones but once the marrow is gone dump the bone as some splinters can break off and could harm the dog internally. (like chicken bones)

arybvtcw0eolkf

smashey wrote: »

Go to another butcher.

Yup, and buy your own meat supplies from another too.

BanzaiBk

All the butchers in my surrounding area charge for bones, and have for some time.

Bluefrog

Well I do think that since this doesn't seem to be common yet that I should do my part and take a stand. Its only €2 but I feel I am doing him a favour by disposing of his offal. Maybe I'll stick the URL of this thread on an envelope and post it through his door as a gentle hint - then at least he'll be uneasy when he sees a big white galutte of a dog passing by

artieanna

BanzaiBk wrote: »

All the butchers in my surrounding area charge for bones, and have for some time.

thats real mean!! When one started charging the others followed anything for profit as if the meat wasn't dear enough....:mad:

I was never charged for bones!


Go for it bluefrog

BanzaiBk

Iduno, I never really thought about it being honest. I don't get them for my dogs but my cousin buys one as a treat for his lab and the bigger sized ones are €1.50 and the smaller ones are 50c. I think the way I saw it was you were buying a treat for the dog like, if you don't buy the bones the butcher will just dispose of them anyway. Business is business I guess.

Trojan911

javaboy wrote: »

Don't be giving them ideas! That's probably the last free bone you'll get

Nah, I don't own a dog & he said to me after they were still free to whoever wants them. In fairness to him he gives me chicken carcasses for free so I can make stock.

Lauragoesmad

artieanna wrote: »

as if the meat wasn't dear enough....:mad:

Meat is cheaper now than its ever been, but thats besides the point. Scabby B*stards charging for bones.
Theres a place in town called FX Buckleys that used to always give us bones for free. And they were big huge bags too.

siouxie sue

Mean as **** :mad: you wouldn't get a needle up his ass lol At the end of the day he can't take his money with him and he will be bones himself one day!:D

lightening

Can I ask where these scabby butchers are? My not so scabby butcher is in East Wall in Dublin....

Killme00

lightening wrote: »

Can I ask where these scabby butchers are? My not so scabby butcher is in East Wall in Dublin....

me too...near the church..he is great!!!

javaboy

I don't like my butcher to have any scabs at all. Or to at least wear gloves so they're not touching off my meat.

lightening

Killme00 wrote: »

me too...near the church..he is great!!!

Ah... Paddy's an old friend of mine, lovely fella, great asset to the area.

lightening

javaboy wrote: »

Or to at least wear gloves so they're not touching off my meat.

My butcher has a novel idea. He washes his hands.

javaboy

lightening wrote: »

My butcher has a novel idea. He washes his hands.

I was talking about when a butcher has scabby hands. In the normal course of things a wash of the hands is fine by me.

Bluefrog

People, people, I'm just about to have lunch here!

The butcher in question is in Fitzmaurice Rd in Glasnevin - his personal hygiene seems to be the least of his problems if he thinks its worth trying to squeeze his customers like this.

Bluefrog

BanzaiBk wrote: »

the bigger sized ones are €1.50 and the smaller ones are 50c. I think the way I saw it was you were buying a treat for the dog like, if you don't buy the bones the butcher will just dispose of them anyway. Business is business I guess.

Well its slightly better value but the point is that if people don't take them then he has to get rid of them with the associated expense.

Also, if I'm going to pay for a dog treat then I'll go for one of those 'artificial' bones made out of meat products - they make less mess, don't give off an odour and are fully digestible so we don't have to endure the emotional trauma of taking the bone away when it starts to fall apart. One that lasts over a week with Holly costs €3.99 in Petmania.

The way I see it providing bones is an extra inducement to use a particular butcher which combined with the saving in disposal should be enough for him.

Oh and for anyone who raises an eyebrow at the phrase 'meat products' because of it's vagueness I would remind them that this is only an occaissional treat for the dog - not her daily diet.

Bluefrog

I just sent the following email to the Craft Butchers of Ireland inviting them to contribute to the discussion.

Hi

I am not sure who to address this to in your organisation but I'm curious to know if you have any policy or guidelines on the topic of 'Bones for Dogs' for your members.

A couple of weeks ago my local butcher, who we would use on a regular basis for meat for our own consumption has just put up sign on his shop window saying that there is now a €2 charge for dog bones. I was pretty surprised at this move and tried to get a sense of how common it was by starting a thread on boards.ie which you can find at - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055243763.

It would seem that the general concencous from the contributors is that its somewhat mean on the part of the butcher to exact this charge. In the interests of balanced and fair discussion, either your organisation or your individual members might like to contribute their thoughts.

Kind regards etc...


They should have the right to defend themselves.

lightening

Those Canadians always get their man, your like a dog with a bone.

Bluefrog

I got the reply below from the Craft Butchers - I'm impressed!

I was passed your email regarding bones for dogs and I'm following it up.
The ACBI don't have a policy on bones for dogs, leaving that for individuals to decide. I am a butcher myself and have heard arguments for and against, a) giving bones to dogs and b)charging customers for them.
You mention Glasnevin on the posts in the forum. I live in Glasnevin myself so I wonder if you'd care to give me the name of the butcher so I could have a quiet word with him about what people feel about charging for bones?

I have forwarded on the butcher's details so we'll see what happens.

lightening

Good stuff Bluefrog!

Bluefrog

Well I got a response from my contact in the Craft Butchers. I really appeciate his intervention here.

The salient part of it was:

I contacted (the butcher in question) and he tells me that he has a large order from a restaurant for marrow bones for stock and that he has to pay to get the amount of marrowbones he needs. Therefore he has to charge for marrowbones. He doesn't charge for any other bones, but as a dog owner you know there can be problems with splintery bones, dogs choking etc., and in this litigious age we live in it can be problematic.

I have to say that while I'm no solicitor I think the 'litigation' angle is a bit weak - what people feed their dogs is surely their responsibility not the butcher's. In most cases the butcher would never meet the dog and so how could he possibly be in a position to assess the dog's bone splintering capabilities. If the butcher has such concerns then surely it's a 'no bones' policy that is required. As for his large order of marrow bone - fair enough but then why not put a sign up in the window 'no bones for dogs available'. I think it's undeniable that there's some profit taking going on here and to me it's an unfortunate development for butchery.

lurchin along

Good for you!That rip off merchant deserves a roasting!I depend largely on butcher's scraps to keep my lot fed and their 'waste' is 50% of my dogs' diet.They're delighted to see me pull up as I'm saving them a fortune in disposal costs!AND there's nothing like it for putting weight on a starved dog and keeping teeth clean on a healthy one!They need a 'complete' feed too for dietary balance but there's nothing like lamb ribs,ham bones and fat scraps for dogs!

lurchin along

Good for you!That rip off merchant deserves a roasting!I depend largely on butcher's scraps to keep my lot fed and their 'waste' is 50% of my dogs' diet.They're delighted to see me pull up as I'm saving them a fortune in disposal costs!AND there's nothing like it for putting weight on a starved dog and keeping teeth clean on a healthy one!They need a 'complete' feed too for dietary balance but there's nothing like lamb ribs,ham bones and fat scraps for dogs!

artieanna

Bluefrog wrote: »

I have to say that while I'm no solicitor I think the 'litigation' angle is a bit weak - what people feed their dogs is surely their responsibility not the butcher's. In most cases the butcher would never meet the dog and so how could he possibly be in a position to assess the dog's bone splintering capabilities. If the butcher has such concerns then surely it's a 'no bones' policy that is required. As for his large order of marrow bone - fair enough but then why not put a sign up in the window 'no bones for dogs available'. I think it's undeniable that there's some profit taking going on here and to me it's an unfortunate development for butchery.

were you ever charged for anything other than marrowbones?
Some will try anything for profit...

fair play to ya!!!

Bluefrog

Well once the sign went up I simply stopped asking for bones altogether - actually I haven't been in the butchers since. As I write here the dog is digging into one of those artificial bones which is actually less mess and totally digestable and I think that's the way I'm going to go from now on.