ALSATIAN DOGS AND FAIR DEALING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1934, Page 8

ALSATIAN DOGS AND FAIR DEALING

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In the name of justice and fair play I ask space, to comment on the Alsatian Dogs Bill • now -before the Legislative Council. I am fully convinced that none of these learned gentlemen have, had any' experience whatever with an Alsatian, but have allowed their better judgment. to become, biased and warped by.s the' fact that a very small, percentage of dogs (who have been spbiledby lack of training) have supposedly attacked people. : As an Alsatian^owncr, I defy anyone to say that it fis just: for the Hon. Mr. Carriugton or anyone else to condemn all Alsatians on . account of a few irresponsible owners. Theso noble animals are .as faithful, good-natured, and as loyal companions as any. man, woman, or child could? wish to have. I am convinced, of their, absolute trustworthiness if, like a child, they are taught right from wrong. Sir Francis Bell says he is convinced these dogs are dangerous brutes.. On wha.t does he base his convictions, I ask? Certainly I have no hesitation in saying not on experience, and are we in,-this enlightened age to have our rights and liberties trodden iunder foot by such legislation? Surety we in New Zealand can rely on the wisdom and intelligent- judgment of our Mother Country, where these dogs are tho "Aristocrats of Dogdoin" in England. The year 1924 saw the inauguration of the Alsatian League of Great Britain. Foremost amongst its members are his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who not-only owns an Alsatian, but has exhibited- with marked' success both in breed classes and obedience; His Eoyal - Highness is not the only member of the Boyal Family to own an Alsatian, -for. his two brothers, their Koyal Highnesses Prince Henry and Prince George, both own one. Who of us would question the wise judgment and intelligence of our Eoyal Family who have the personal experience of Alsatians? , It does seem unfair that tho Alsatian is singled out for libel such as sheep worrying, etc., when any thinking person knows that often tho worst worriers of sheep are the trained sheep dogs themselves. I think it p.nly fair that tho Agricultural Committee in considering the matter should also report the: damage done 'by other breeds as well as by Alsatians. ; With reference to:' the Hon. Mr. Carrington's; Bill re sterilisation, it is hard to realise how, any .man could bring himself to think of. such a base practice as well as usoless.one, for by so doing he would be defeating his own argument in a recent,statement of his that it is the cross breeds of Alsatians that do the harrii, not the. thoroughbreds. .--, : ' ' If people imagine that Alsatians are to be feared why not make a law compelling all owners to have their dogs on a lead when out, and educate people to train-their dogs to obedience, and above all to1 refrain,from keeping them on chains, which is the cause of any dog, irrespective of breed, . becoming savage. ■ ■ ' • ' In conclusion, I would like to draw Mr. Carrington's attention to the fact that the usefulness, of the Alsatian can bo gathered from the fact that throughout the world they are extensively used as police dogs, in detective work, also as messengers, Eed Cross dogs, and as leaders of th - blind. Who in tho face of this latter calling could presume to condemn tho breed .as a menace and treacherous, for who would trust a blind person to a vicious, dangerous animal?—l am, etc., ' M. E. CAMPBELL. AVollington, July 27. \ (To the Editor.) Sir,' —As an Englishman I have often been criticised severely for any analytical remarks I may have made concerning Now Zealanders, and have learnt'as a "Homey" never to say anything but the best for them. But now we havo the Alsatian Dogs Bill before the Legislative Council and the statements made on that Bill. 'As an experienced and authoritative Alsatian, owner, I am naturally prejudiced, but even so I feel that this Bill, to the rest of the hybrid, must seem a trifle . drastic and minded. . The whole' world,\ including Australia with its. dingo-Vmenace,' etc., has mastered the problem, if ~ it really exists, and the Alsatian" still lives, breeds, behaves, misbehaves; and grows in popularity day ;by day,', because the whole world realises that-the evil of one or two. does: not -mean the ■ condemnation, of all. —Only ii Hew Zealand is the word justice": twisted to suit the desires of those who hoodwink the public into believing they are,. the "Backbone of the Country." :; What is, the use" of: pleading the cause of the r well-trained, ; beloved Alsatian that exists in many homes in this island country when we ; see how ruthlessly the Government does as it pleases* I can only say it will be a glorious day when the authorities como to take my Alsatian from me, because his friends arc many. In England we arc- capable of owning and controlling our pets, and this is one "Homey" who is not afraid to criticise tho legislation of the country he "earns his bread and butter" in.— I am, etc., STANLEY F. C. THORPE.