DOGS IN HAGLEY PARK

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20937, 18 August 1933, Page 4

DOGS IN HAGLEY PARK

TO THE EDITOR OF THB l'SEe'S. Sir, —A curse on those Hagley Park dogs. They have gone and nipped one of our very best pastoralists; not that I know his name, but I know that it is always the best that are taken first. It was pretty hard if he could not do a little wool-gathering in the park without getting a bite from one of these brutes, and developing hydrophobia in such a bad form. It is very sad to see one of our own calling putting his teeth into everything he meets, not that it matters about the park dogs and their owners, but who knows when it will be our own turn for a bite. This risk falls on all alike, both the unjust and ourselves. I must say, however, that I feel very pleased on account of your correspondent "Snowdon." He expressed a hungry yearning to go to heaven with his dog, evidently relying on his friend's virtues to get both of them past the gate. If he meets "New Zealand Pastoraiist" he may get his wish sooner than he expected. and if he happens to own a fox hound they will both be able to "give tongue" together. In the meantime, let us all. especially pastoralists. pray for our friend's *needy recovery, so that he may be able to cast sheeps' eyes at ame of the letters that have been wvmen against his enemies, the dogs of Hagley Park.—Yours, etc., T A S. August 17, 1933. TO TUB EIIITOII OJ> THE I'ItESS. Sir, —Much has been said for and against the Alsatians,' but very little of it appears to have been to the point. The facts are, I believe: (1) The Alsatian is the German sheepdog. (2) It is an extremely intelligent animal. (3) All dogs are descended from wolves or other wild dogs. (4) All untrained sheepdogs are a source of danger to sheep. Two years ago we reared three Collie pups and two of them showed signs of worrying sheep and had to be shot. If this could occur with a type of dog that has been carefully selected for many generations in New Zealand, is it surprising that killers should appear amongst Alsatians, a breed of sheepdog that is treated as a fancy dog in New Zealand. (5) Increased intelligence is badly needed in our sheepdogs in New Zealand at the present time. (0) Would it not be wise to test the Alsatian out for its genuine work as a sheepdog in New Zealand before coining to any conclusion for or against the breed.— Yours, etc.. j,B B Oxford. August 17, 1933. 10 'XUK EDITOR OP -1118 J.'U£eS. Sir, —I and several of your correspondents regret very much the pain and misery which the poor sheep had to go through in the recent worrying' in Hagley Park. The irony of it was to' have been warm in bed and not out putting a stop to the killing. Anyway, i I do not blame the dogs so much, as it is natural for untrained dogs to, worry any animals weaker than themselves. Why do riot the owners of the dogs come out and express regret, and make good the damage as far as they can? j Having had experienc with sheep, I am sure that the surviw. of a flock that has been badly won: ud require a long time to recover as they have lost confidence and do not feed peacefully as they should do. Why, for the sake of money, would a man sell his honour - ' Remember the commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." In any case the matter has to come out some time, as we read: "For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known."—(Luke 12-2.) Yours, etc., . . HUMANE. ! August 16, 1933.