No Embargo, But Huskies Not Wanted Back In N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 14

No Embargo, But Huskies Not Wanted Back In N.Z.

(New Zealanu Pres* Association/

WELLINGTON, October 21. No embargo has been placed by the Agriculture Department on the return to New Zealand of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition’s hu kies, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr S. W. Smith) said today when he was commenting on a report that the dogs would have to be shot because the department refused to allow them to return to New Zealand. The Ross Sea committee had made arrangements for the disposal of surplus dogs, he said. Some were to go to Auckland Zoo and some to Wellington zoo. The committee had also written to all organisations and countries which could use huskies, offering them teams.

It was hoped that all the young working dogs would be provided for by these means. But members of the expedition had expressed fear that some surplus [working dogs would still have Ito be shot. They had asked that in these cases they be allowed to bring them back to New Zealand and retain them as household pets, said Mr Smith. The Ross Sea committee and other authorities, however, were afraid that these dogs could be a menace if they were allowed to come in contact with the public. They could prove a danger to children, livestock and other dogs.

“For these reasons and the general unsuitability of the dogs 1c New Zealand climate and conditions, it is not advisable that they be brought back to the Dominion for ownership by individuals.” said Mr Smith. “But the committee is endeavouring to dispose of the dogs to interested organisations and the Government will give them every possible assistance.” Danger to Children

“The matter of the dogs is bound up with the future of Scott Base, which is under consideration at the present time, and a number of possibilities are being explored,” said the secretary of the Ross Sea committee (Mr A. S. Helm) today. “Having been largely instrumental in obtaining the dogs and in getting the schools interested

in them. I am vitally concerned about their future, and am anxious that they be retained if at all possible. “But many of these huskies have never seen children and would immediately put them in the same category as penguins, which they attack. I would certainly not like to be associated with bringing them back as pets if there was any danger to children as a result.” continued Mr Helm.

“Nobody but a very active and strong adult could handle these dogs, which weigh 1001 b, and which could pull most adults off their feet.

“There is also the question of the welfare of the dogs themselves. They are much better kept at Scott Base under conditions to which they are accustomed. For instance, they are not used to either great heat or rain, and both these conditions distress them.

“Although a few of the older dogs might have to be culled, a letter has gone to every organisation overseas which is likely to want teams of huskies, asking them if they would be interested in taking over one or more of our teams. We are hopeful that many of the dogs can be disposed of in this way,” Mr Helm said.

Countries to which a letter has been sent include Britain, France, Australia, Russia, Chile, and Argentina.