Remember this from 18 December 2008

 

 

"Karen Batchelor, spokesperson for the American Pit Bull Terrier Association Inc, has today called for a review of animal control practices and culture, and answers from parliament after further disturbing revelations of blatant breed discrimination published in the Kapiti Observer today".

 

I was ignored of course.

 

Ani McManaway, Animal Control, was quoted as saying of the likely culprits in a hen coop raid:

 

"…looking at their paw prints, they (will) be small pitbull or terrier type dogs"

 

Ms Batchelor said: “The prevailing attitude in the matter of the Bull Terrier type on the part of animal control agencies is of huge concern. 

 

Firstly, it is impossible to identify a dog’s breed by it’s paw print.  It is outrageous to claim this capability and even more amazing to see it in print as if it is a fact.

 

Secondly, this employee shows an unhealthy zeal for euthanasia of these hapless victims of bad ownership in her statement: “We impound them and conduct the investigations.  Worst case scenario?  We prosecute the owners and if the judge gives an order to destroy the dog that’s what we do. The owners can also choose to surrender their dog so that we can destroy them…”

 

This unseemly appetite for seek and destroy is reflected in the almost blanket no-exception euthanasia policy adhered to by dog control and so-called animal welfare agencies around this country in the matter of ‘the type’.  We should be thoroughly ashamed that this ignorant witch-hunt mentality has taken such a hold and persists as it does.

 

Whatever the breed, dogs are plainly highly intelligent and sentient beings.  We owe them far better respect and care than the callous and backward-thinking attitude such a culture publicly espouses.

 

We have seen Bob Kerridge, the face of the SPCA in this country, claiming that all Pit Bulls are born bad, and Mark Vette of Animals on Q/Animals EQ/Animals IQ fame making similarly deceptive and misleading claims.  The media, without exception it seems, are singing from the same song sheet. 

 

In light of the Dutch Government’s recent decision to repeal Breed Specific Legislation and properly researched studies, including two recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour disqualifying BSL as invalid and flawed (available on request at purebrednz@gmail.com), the Association is demanding answers from those persisting with this bizarrely impracticable approach and it’s most tragic consequences.

 

It is past time, in the view of the association and in light of the huge number of qualified people speaking out against Breed Specific Legislation and up for Pit Bull Terriers and their type, that our legislators and those in law enforcement were held to account for this most cruel and unreasonable form of discrimination.

 

There is no longer any justification in New Zealand for the persecution and demonisation of ‘the type’ as they have long since been proven innocent of the charges.

 

Our legislators, law enforcement, media, and the likes of Mr Kerridge and Mr Vette, on the other hand, have some explaining to do”.

 

END.

 

Seems nothing has changed in the mindset of the dog catchers, but we have to thank Robyn Kippenberger and Rachel Hucklebridge of the SPCA for speaking out about the latest murders of innocent Rottweiler puppies because of their breed and the effect this abhorrent and unjustified discrimination is having on their staff.  They give us hope!

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2765131/SPCA-outraged-at-dog-deaths

Now you know we know better than most that anyone claiming to be able to pick-the-pit-bull is a schmuck - but Vette's mate's dog has 'the look' doncha think?  All the same, bet he's no more guilty than Bruce, Ty or anyone else currently paying for the farce that is Breed Specific Legislation.