RSPCA Honour For Middlechild Productions

Middlechild Productions has been awarded an RSPCA Honour in recognition of their show, Dog Rescuers.

Middlechild Productions was presented with the National Media Award for coverage and/or reporting that contributes to the field of animal welfare. Dog Rescuers show, which is presented by Alan Davies, is currently filming its fourth series for Channel 5, while a recent puppy farming special edition of the show had more than 1.5 million viewers.

David Sumnall, who founded Middlechild Productions in south west London teamed up with the RSPCA in 2010 to create Emergency Animal Rescue for Sky One. Three years later, the production company commenced filming on Dog Rescuers which follows RSPCA inspectors across England and Wales who answer calls of neglect and cruelty to dogs.

The RSPCA Honours ceremony was held on Saturday 18 June at The Law Society in London. For more than 100 years, RSPCA Honours have recognised people and organisations who have helped the organisation in its goal to end cruelty, protect animals from abuse and increase knowledge of animal welfare.

Sumnall said: "Every now and then you get to work on a series which doesn't feel like work. Our team has the easy job of showing up with a camera and filming the inspectors doing incredible work. It is amazing how hard they work, how far they travel, they go in places where police officers wouldn't go alone, they are dedicated, passionate, professional and do all this without having any special powers. The feedback from the public is amazing. Every episode we get people saying the inspectors are heroes. I'm delighted to accept this Honour on behalf of my team but also on behalf of all the inspectors we have filmed with, they do such an incredible job."

Jeremy Cooper, RSPCA Chief Executive, added: "Dog Rescuers has given the public an incredible insight of the kinds of trials, challenges and rewarding experiences our inspectors face every single day. It has really highlighted the RSPCA's role in rescuing the most neglected and cruelly treated animals, rehabilitating and rehoming them. As a dog owner myself I have been moved to tears on occasion by what I've witnessed during the Dog Rescuers. It's become clear that the staff at Middlechild are not only highly professional but they are as passionate about animal welfare as we are."

The fourth series of The Dog Rescuers, fronted by Alan Davies, returns to Channel 5 on Tuesday 21 June, 8pm.

Image: David Sumnall and Jeremy Cooper.

www.middlechild.tv

(JP/LM)