ALSATIAN DOGS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 194, 14 May 1936, Page 10

ALSATIAN DOGS

More Strict Control Advocated BILL IN THE HOUSE The allegedly dangerous qualities of the alsatian dog were expanded upon by several Opposition speakers in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon during the second reading debate on the Alsatian Dog Bill, which has been transmitted from the Legislative Council for the concurrence of the Lower House. Members generally were inclined to treat the Bill will) a good deal of levity. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara) moved the second reading of the Bill on behalf of Mr. W. .1. Polson (Opposition, Stratford), and explained to the House that the measure aimed at providing more strict control of an animal which, he claimed, had proved to be endowed with some dangerous characteristics. “There is much evidence, I find, to support the contention of some experts that this alsatian dog has some of the characteristics of the wolf,” Mr. Coates said. “The dog shows an inclination to chase some weaker animal, generally purely on the grounds of mischief. For the same unaccountable reason the alsation will bite its friends and even children. In fact, I believe that this dog is a gentleman which we cannot trust very far. The Bill does not itself prohibit the keeping of dogs of this breed, but leaves open to local bodies to say whether they should be deemed dangerous and to prohibit them or take what action is considered desirable.” , , Mr. Polson also emphasised that the Bill did not aim at any very drastic action as had been proposed earlier, when the ease of the alsatian was being considered. It merely pruned previous suggestions of those clauses Which may have been objectionable to some people. The Bill no longer demanded the extermination of the alsatian, but provided that the breed should be properly looked after and registered at an adequate fee. “It is a peculiar thing that wherever this breed has been given liberties it has been guilty of outbreaks of savagery against human beings,” said Mr. Polson. “We have even had evidence that its ferocity has almost cost human lives in attacks that have occurred in the Old Country. In Western Australia, in New South Wales and in New Zealand there has been a similar history.” . , .... Mr. Polson was quoting a long list of attacks by alsatians when Mr F. W. Schramm (Government, Auckland East) asked whether any politicians were included among the victims. Mr. Polson: I have not found any politicians here. Mr. Schramm: Then the alsatian is not a dangerous dog. Mr Polson: At least I did not find any members of the Lower I louse in the list. . , Mr. Schramm: I hey are too haul in the hide. “You ought to know better than that,” interjected the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, when Mr. Polson quoted the opinion of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which debarred alsatians from showgrounds on I lie grounds that the breed was dangerous and not of use in working sheep. “I know that they can work sheep, but not too well, and I know, too, that they are in the habit of eating sheep, retorted Mr. Polson. Strict Control Necessary. Mr Polson said there was overwhelming evidence of ghastly attacks bv alsatians on their owners, which proved that some strict control was necessary. The alsatian was preeminent in its treachery to its owner. There was evidence of women being literally torn to pieces by them, and one woman who owned an alsatian, who originally had boon one strongest opponents of the Bill, had been so badly torn about by her dog that she had been disfigured. The alsatian was undoubtedly an outlaw and certainly acted as though he had in him a strain of the wolf. “Would he be worse than a trades union secretary?” asked Hie Ministei of Public Works, lion. R. Semple, amid hearty laughter, when Mr. Polson was emphasising his belief in the dangerous characteristics of the breed. Mr. Polson: I am inelined to think that it would lie a toss-up between the two. There is only one class which would be worse. That’s a savage Minister of Public Works. .Mr. W. T. Anderton (Government. Eden) said that he was an alsatian owner, and he regarded the breed as the most intelligent of all. The clause in the Bill which provided for the muzzling of alsatians meant the infliction of terrible cruelty, ami it was surprising that it could be discussed by members of Parliament who objected strenuously Io being muzzled themselves. He could produce an alsatian which would muster a flock of sheep as well as the best sheepdog in the country. ... A well-trained alsatian was quite harmless with children. "I certainly would not like to use an alsatian as a nursemaid as suggested by the member for Eden,” declared Mr. C. Morgan Williams (Government, Kaiapoi). He considered there was overwhelming evidence that the alsatian was a danger to human life. Many of the postmen went on their daily rounds in terror of these dogs. The fads and hobbies of the few could not be allowed at the expense of tlie safety and comfort of the great masses of Hie people.

The opinion that tlie owners were more to blame than the dogs was expressed by Mr. 11. S. S. Kyle (Opposition. Riccarton). He believed that an increase iu the registration fee for alsatians would result in tlie dogs being kept under better conditions. There already existed discrimination in tlie registration fee for various breeds of dogs. He had strong objections to tlie muzzling of a dog. Tlie Bill was supported by Mr. D. McDougall (Independent, .Mataura). The Bill was rend a second time on Hie voices. POLICY IN SAMOA Development of Territory “The appointment of an Administrator for Samoa is at present under consideration," said the Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in replying to a question by Mr. W. P. Endean (Opposition, Parnell) in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said tlie policy of Hie Government would be to encourage and to deserve Hie cooperation of tlie Samoans in tlie development of the territory for the benefit of its people.