Breeders Allege Public Panic Over Hydatids

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 10

Breeders Allege Public Panic Over Hydatids

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 13. A public panic over hydatids Is making it difficult for breeders to sell dogs at present, according to several speakers at a meeting of more than 50 dog breeders and exhibitors in Auckland last night. This was largely due to faulty information, it was said. “People should be given education, but not be- filled with terror,” said the chairman (Miss P. Gorrie), of Remuera. Cases were quoted where a pedigree bitch advertised recently to be given away free had not drawn a single reply and where is was said mothers had warned children that even to let a dog breathe on them in the street would cause hydatids. The breeders expressed their objections to aspects of the compulsory dosing of dogs and listened to explanations given by Mr D. J. Waite, an Auckland City Council health inspector, who has been authorised to advise the Metropolitan Hydatids Contro' Committee. Mr Waite said that something like 100 000 doses of arecoline had been given to dogs m New Zealand and the authorities dio not know of a single case at a dog dying of arecoline poisoning

Several breeders. howevei, quoted cases where dogs dosed for hydatids had suffered stomach perforations, heart

trouble and fits, especially where the dose had been excessive. The breeders and Mr Waite agreed that if all dogs were denied access to raw offal, the link between sheep and dogs would be cut and hydatids would be stamped out. When some speakers disputed the reported number of human deaths from hydatids (20 a year) Mr Waite said the more significant figure was the 200 majoi surgical operations each year. Mr Waite has recommended to the Metropolitan Hydatids Control Committee the setting up of treatment strips to which owners would bring dogs for compulsory dosing. The strips would be so placed that no owner would have to walk more than half a mile from his home. Private dosing by qualified veterinarians would also be permitted.