"WAR ON HYDATIDS NOT WAR ON DOGS”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 23

"WAR ON HYDATIDS NOT WAR ON DOGS”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 10. “This is not a war on dogs—it’s a war on hydatids,” said the chief executive officer of the National Hydatids Council (Mr A. D. M. G. Laing) in a statement on Saturday. “I am sure that 99 per cent of New Zealanders are with us in our determination to protect the health and lives of our children and ourselves from an insidious disease. “The dosing and testing of dogs is an essential part of the drive atfainst hydatids. The system for this work has been scientifically planned and is • already working satisfactorily in many parts of New Zealand. “However, it is only natural that people who are deeply devoted to their dogs are reluctant to accept the fact that these pets may be harbouring a dangerous disease. These people are inclined, therefore, to attack the whole scheme for eradication. “They see it at a war against dogs rather than a war against hydatids. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Mr Laing said that two con- . siderations stood out, a necessity to purge all dogs so that they . E were free of infection (and at 1 - the same time learn the precise < ~ incidence of infection) and the ] t importance of avoiding reinfec- ( tion of dogs by ensuring so far . as possible that they did not eat 1 » raw offal. ’ “Officers Competent” - Mr Laing said he would again 1 - defend the competence of the trained hydatid control officers 1 sto do the dosing. The risk of ■ e harmful effects on dogs was of j i infinitesimal proportions. The - dosage prescribed asked no more : y of a reasonably healthy dog than y did a dose of castor oil of a reasonably healthy chili il Of the complaint about having !- to pay the hydatid control fee : it even though a dog was being s dosed privately by a veterinary s surgeon, Mr Laing said it was i- necessary to legislate for the e majority, who would undoubtedly use the facilities provided. it However, any suggestion of it part remission of the fee was a ■* matter for a local authority to consider itself.