The big debate

Some people say it would ensure

well-behaved and happier dogs. VE
DOeGvoLlvOed from
What you need to know Dogs nd were the
a s
wolves ies that human
c
The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak first speept as pets.
recently announced that people will not k
be allowed to own an American Bully XL
dog by the end of 2023. This was after
several incidents in which that particular
breed of dog hurt people, some badly.

Animal rights campaigners say that

instead of banning certain dogs, the
Government should focus on “promoting
better dog ownership and training”.

Until 1987, people in England, Scotland

and Wales had to apply for a dog licence
(official permission to own one). It is still
required in Northern Ireland. There has
Dogs need
never been a test to get a licence though.
training.

Yes – it would benefit everyone No – it’s unrealistic, unnecessary and unfair

A ccording to a survey by the organisation UK Pet
Food, dogs are the UK’s most popular choice of
pet – we have around 12 million pet pooches.
The RSPCA (an animal charity) says that lots of dogs
are abandoned every year when their owners realise
Why should this test just apply to dogs? Would it not
benefit rabbits or hamsters too? Cats also fight and
Following the recent reports of American Bully XL they can’t look after them. A test would show that cause trouble, so why single out dogs? Introducing
dogs – and other dog breeds – being out of control, dog ownership is a serious business and people tests would cost a lot of money and take a lot of time
some animal experts have said that owners should would think about the reality, not just having a fun to organise. The Government would need to set up
have to pass a test before they are allowed to own a friend. It would also ensure that every dog is treated test centres, train examiners and pass a new law.
dog. This would mean that if a person wanted a pet, equally and gets the best start in life. Training helps The relationship between a dog and its owner is
they would have to study how to best care for, train dogs to be sociable, happy, obedient and nice to be personal and unique. Some dogs need more training
and control a dog. Some people believe that training around. It also help dogs and owners to form a bond. than others before they become obedient, but that
owners properly, as well as their dogs, can help Besides, not everyone loves dogs – or thinks that one doesn’t mean they are bad. Imposing a test would
prevent dog aggression. Other people say that dog interrupting their picnic is adorable – and some put too much pressure on dogs and owners. The
owner tests are unnecessary and it would be too people are scared of them. Dogs are in parks, cafés Government shouldn’t be dictating how people look
difficult to introduce them. What do you think? and on streets all over the UK; it would help everyone after their dogs. There are plenty of other animal
Should dog owners have to take a test? if they were all trained to behave well. welfare issues that politicians could focus on.

Scan the QR YES Three reasons why dog owners

should take a test
Three reasons why dog owners
NO should not take a test
code to vote in
Junior the debate
1 Having to take a test would make
people really think about what owning
a dog involves. People would take the
1 Why should this test apply to only dogs,
rather than all pets? It’s not fair.

LAST WEEK’S POLL responsibility more seriously. 2 Introducing a test, even if it was just for
dogs, would take time and money to
Last week we asked if
shops start selling
Christmas items too 2 A test would mean every dog has the
same start in life, and the chance to be
happy, well-behaved and bonded with
set up. It’s not as easy as it sounds, so
it’s an unrealistic idea.
67% 33%
early. Most of you
felt that seeing YES NO their owner after the training. 3 A test would put too much pressure on
dogs and owners. It’s none of the
festive things in
shops too soon makes
Christmas less special.
3 Many people don’t like or are scared of
dogs. It would reassure them to know
that dog owners have passed a test.
Government’s business how people
choose to train their dogs. It should
focus on more important animal issues.
GETTY IMAGES

Now that you’ve read a bit more about it, tell us what you think by voting in our poll at theweekjunior.co.uk/polls.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Vote YES if you think dog owners should take a test, or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week.

The aim of the Big debate page is to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively, in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds.
8 The views on the page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties. The page is created in association with the English-Speaking The Week Junior • 14 October 2023
Union, an educational charity helping young people discover their voice and realise their full potential. For more information, please see esu.org
 Wellbeing

How to handle the news

Learning to cope with lots of news can make you feel calm and in control. Top tips to deal with
too much news

Only read a few stories at a

KING
BREAW
time and talk about them to

NE ESnglish daily
someone afterwards.

regular Daily Focus on life away from the

The firstaper, called Thehed news and stick to familiar
newsp ant, was launc routines, like going to sports
Cour in 1702. practice or meeting friends.

If a friend is upset by the

news, talk it over with them.

Find more top tips and advice

at theweekjunior.co.uk/advice

Take action to help

with climate worries

Learn good
news habits.

N ews is all around us and it’s normal to feel a little bit

anxious when you see stories that seem worrying. There
are positive steps you can take to help with your feelings.
reports about war or climate change can make you feel
angry, anxious or upset. “Bad news isn’t nice to hear,” says
psychotherapist Dr Aaron Balick (an expert on thoughts
and feelings). “People are suffering and there are real risks.
Make it fun
Where does news come from? It is normal to feel worried about these things.” Studies
Set up a climate club with
News reports come from many sources all over the world. also show that we’re more likely to notice bad news stories
friends and organise
As well as newspapers and magazines like The Week Junior, and remember them more clearly than positive ones. This
activities like litter-picking,
news is reported on television, radio and websites, and is called “negativity bias” and scientists say it’s a very old
making posters that
shared on social media. Stories grab the headlines for several survival technique that keeps us safe and alert to danger.
encourage recycling and
reasons, including how unexpected they are and the
setting up a book swap.
number of people they affect. Stories like, say, How can you cope with worrying news?
what is happening in Israel, or a big earthquake, It’s important to listen to facts rather than rumours, Focus on good news
often appear as rolling news. This Balick explains. If you’re alarmed by a story Lots of people are working
means the reports are updated you’ve heard about on social media, for on solutions to climate
frequently, talked about and shared. example, ask an adult to help you check it change. Set a challenge to
Being surrounded by news like this on a reliable news website like BBC News. find one positive climate
can make you feel the events are Another way to deal with difficult news is to story each week.
part of your life, no matter how far put your worry into action. If you find stories
Take action
REX SHUTTERSTOCK · GETTY IMAGES

away they actually are. about climate change upsetting, write to your
Everyone can do something
MP and tell them your concerns. Also, don’t
to make our world a better
How does news affect you? keep your feelings to yourself, says Balick.
place. Learn how to be an
It’s interesting and fun to learn Talk to a trusted adult, because this may
energy hero here: tinyurl.
about inspiring and uplifting stories, Look out for help you understand where your emotions
positive stories. com/TWJ-Energyhero
but bad news happens too, and come from and why you feel this way.

14 October 2023 • The Week Junior 19

 Puzzles
Number fit
3 numbers 6 numbers
All of these numbers fit in the grid. Can
you work out where they go? We’ve
placed one to start you off. Wordsearch
Can you find all of the words listed here?
263 211274 They are hidden horizontally, vertically or
464 743441 diagonally and may read forwards or backwards.
660 990653
742 998716
949
7 numbers
952
4115746
4 numbers 4752639
4233 9022758
4748
8 numbers
6748
13404223
7603
37016675
5 numbers 48151182
25447
9 numbers
42584
272230873
43417
466754594
708165132
APPLE CELERY LEEK PEAS
ASPARAGUS COURGETTE LETTUCE SEAWEED
AVOCADO CRESS LIME SPINACH
BROCCOLI CUCUMBER MARROW SPROUTS
CABBAGE KALE MINT
ERS
ANSW E
OKRA
CAN DB ON
FOUN 9
PAGE 2
Sudoku
Place the numbers from
1 to 6 exactly once in
each row, column and
2x3 bold-lined box, to
complete the grid.

Spot the difference These two pictures appear to be the same, but take a closer look.
There are actually five differences. Can you spot them?
REX SHUTTERSTOCK

26 The Week Junior • 14 October 2023

 Over to you
love to see your snaps. Send them to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk
YOUR PHOTOS We’d
Don’t forget to tell us why you took them. READERS
RESPOND
“Reading The We love hearing from
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Week Junior write a comment
while I’m when you vote in our
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waiting for poll, or even record a
voice note for The
the school Week Junior Show.
bus makes Last week we asked
you if shops start
my day more Christmas too early…
wonderful, “Shops start
especially on Christmas too early
because they want
a Monday.” to earn money
sooner. I think it is
Warrick bad.”

“It’s good to start

“I would like shopping early to
to submit this be organised, and
have more time to
picture of my think about gifts.”
rabbit, Theodore, “It’s unfair for people
“I love to read. It relaxes me especially playing in our who don’t celebrate
Christmas.”
after Sunday early morning swimming little garden in
class.” London.” “It’s still Halloween
when some of the
Liliana Antonia shops get their
Christmas stuff out.”
Tell us what you think
of this week’s issue and
Puzzles page and quiz answers we’ll print some of the

Teacher
best comments here.

Junior
OF THE WEEK SH W
Teacher’s name: Miss Glasgow
School: Whiteabbey Primary School, County
Antrim, Northern Ireland
“I want Miss Glasgow to know she is the best
teacher in the world because she is funny, kind, If you’ve enjoyed this
thoughtful and she always makes boring things issue, why not listen
to our podcast, The
KEEP BRITAIN TIDY · ACTIONAGAINSTHUNGER.ORG · REX SHUTTERSTOCK

fun!”
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Alexander TWJ-show or scan the
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If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, Debate in this issue or
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Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher 9 b) Mars 10 Australia 11 True 12 A fanzine 13 c) 700,000 14 True 15 Bears
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and your school’s full name and address, to 6 A bask 7 c) Mickey Mouse 8 False, it was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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14 October 2023 • The Week Junior 29