ALSATIAN DOGS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 10

ALSATIAN DOGS

COMMITTEE TO REPORT

Discussion on the Alsatian dog question was continued in the Legislative Council yesterday. The motion was: “That in the opinion of the Council measures should be taken not only to prevent the breeding of Alsatian dogs in this country, but to stop the admission of such animals into the Dominion, in order to remove what may become a menace to sheepfarmers and others.” An amendment moved thereto was to omit all the words after the word “that,” and substitute the words, “tlie question of the admission of the Alsatian dog into the Dominion and the possibility of their becoming a menace to sheepfarmers and others be referred to the joint Agricultural and Pastoral Committee for consideration and report.” The Leader of the Council (Hon. T. K. Sidey) said that any breed of dog would worry sheep if necessary. Probably the idea that the Alsatian had a wolf strain was because of its appearance. He pointed out that if the motion was carried it would involve not only the prohibition of all Alsatians in New Zealand, but would raise the question of compensation which would no doubt be brought forward. He did not say, however, that the motion should not be carried. There were not a great number of the dogs in the country as yet. If steps were to be taken, now was the time. If the amendment was carried it would enable consideration to be given to the question.

The Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Wellington) pointed out that the question was not so much one of sheep-worrying. The Alsatian was a savage brute, and a danger to human beings. The amendment was carried.