HOUSEHOLD PETS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26479, 5 June 1947, Page 6

HOUSEHOLD PETS

USED FOR RESEARCH INVESTIGATIONS URGEI FATE OF DOGS AND CATS The fate of stray dogs and unwantei cats is causing concern to many peopli who have the -welfare of animals at heart. Investigations made in Dunedin in the past few days have revdaled that dogs not bearing a collar and found in the city streets have been sent to the Otago Medical School, and that unwanted cats are also sold to the school for research, purposes. I/ ’ 1 “It must be a sad thought for owners of dogs and -cats which go missing that their pets are finding their way to the Medical School to be used for experimental. purposes," Miss O. Barr, an honorary ranger from Christchurch, who has been carrying out investigations into the treatment of stray animals in Dunedin, told a Daily Times reporter yesterday. “ I have it on good authority that unclaimed dogs at the corporation kennels are sent to the Medical School, and I know that cats are sent there, too. • “It is probable that many house* hold cats which go missing in the city •are actually stolen by unscrupulous persons,” Miss Barr added, “ and soid for research work- Recently a crate of cats stood in the rain on the Seacliff Station bearing an address showing their destination as. the Otago Medical School." Strict Control Sought - “I am not concerned with the riglits and wrongs of vivisection,” she added, “ but I do feel that it should be subject to control as it is in Britain. Some years ago those interested hi this subject approached the ■ Minister of Health,'Mr Nordmeyer, arid asked him to appoint a Royal Commission to go into this question and hear evidence. He promised that the matter would be dealt with when the war was over,,but he has refused to do anything further. We are hoping that the new Minister, Miss Mabel Howard; will be more sympathetic.” ■ - - .. • -■ Miss Barr added that in Britain research work usirig animals was subject to strict control: Inspectors were appointed who had the right to visit at any time places where such research work was carried out. Certain methods and the use 4of some drugs were banned* an installed being a drug that prevented movement but did not deaden pain. v ■ 4 '... ' “That is whafr: we are seeking in New Zealand,” she said; “I,would like to see strict cbntrol in the use anirrials for research, The research workers surely should have no objection, for if they have nothing to hide they should not mind inspectors'calling to see that animals are humanely treated,' just as hospitals, for human, beings are under control.

Lethal Chamber Criticised

“ I am sure the people of Dunedin would be indignant if they knew the fate of dogs and cats that have been raised as pets and become in some cases almost members of the family,’ Miss Barr added. “Owners of..dogs should see that their animals always wear a registered collar. In Christchurch, I am authorised to help find a home for stray dogs. 1 examine their collars and the town clerk writes to the owner. If fire dog is unwanted, then I try to find a home for it. I feel something should -be done along these lines in Dunedin. * j “ Moreover, I thing better methods should be available for disposing of unwanted cats,” Miss Barr stated'. I do not think the letnal chamber m Dunedin is' satisfactory. It should be 'fitted' wtihf a’ glib? window the animals to be watched. This is provided for in Christchurch and recently the window was enlarged. -At times the gas chamber does not operate as it should ’and animals suffer agony before dying. By 'observation such-an agonising death can be avoided. It should be possible; too. for -Dunedin to have someone who will chloroform unwanted cats for a small fee. People who abandon cats rather than take them to the gas chamber would probably make use of such a service, and save animals from' pain.” Blue Cross Society’s Plans.

The Blue Cross Society ■is deeply concerned over the fate of domestic .animals and it is impatient to act. For five years it has been waiting for the Society , for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals to provide a property m which the Blue Cross Society is prepared to erect kennels where stray or sick dogs and cats can be cared for Unfortunately, such a property has not been forthcoming, although it should not be long before a site at Opoho is ready for the erection of kennels. The society is also anxious, to provide an animal ambulance and give a much-needed service to pets. It is deeply concerned over the fate of dogs and cats that are either lost or abandoned in the city, but its activities are curtailed by lack of facilities. The S.P.C.A. has also been assisting in finding homes for stray dogs and its ranger has placed between 30 or 40 dogs in homes in recent months. The society is obtaining particulars «of modern kennels from’ overseas and it hopes that when these "ate built” that the problem of stray and sick pets will be solved. .

When the above article was referred to the chief traffic, inspector (Mr H. E. Barrett) he stated .that every attempt was made, to find .homes for stray dogs at. the corporation's kennels. In only three instances this year bad dogs been sent to the Medical ‘School.

Referring to the lethal chamber. Mr Barrett said that the present one was entirely satisfactory and there was no danger of animals suffering. It was hoped however, that when a permanent site for a city pound was ?e----cured'a new up-to-date lethal chamber and kennels would be built.