Showing posts with label rspca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rspca. Show all posts

Dogs of Non-restricted Breeds Also Bite

Western Australia reacted to attacks by dogs on children. A few years ago legislation was passed to not only muzzle but also sterilize American Pit Bulls, Mastiffs and Japaneses Tosas.

Since then there has not been a major decline in the numbers of these breeds. The legislation has not worked out as intended. President of the RSPCA, Hugh Wirth, says breeding of "dangerous" dogs has gone underground.

Dr Kersti Seksei of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) makes the point that dogs of any breed can and do bite people. It is usually the case that household pets bite members of the family. The AVA suggests testing of dog temperament when they are sold. This would be difficult to police because most cross breed puppies are sold privately.

Dogs follow their owners' behavior. Dangerous dogs are created, not born. That is why police dogs are always muzzled in public: they are trained to be dangerous.
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Society

Crocodile Hunting Safaris Could Go Ahead in the Northern Territory

Crocodile safaris in Australia could soon be established - take a trip to Australia and go hunting. Saltwater crocodiles are carefully managed to assure their survival, so hunting will not seriously affect their numbers. Indeed, present numbers are at an all-time high.

If the Federal government agrees to safaris, money will flood into the Northern Territory providing jobs for Aboriginals. The Northern Territory government is in favor of it. Initially, it is intended for 50 crocodiles to be hunted over a two year period. This is very low and there will be strong demand from overseas visitors to hunt more.

The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) claims that killing crocodiles with guns is a skilled job. Ordinary people with guns will botch up the kill and crocodiles will suffer. The Northern Territory environment minister, Karl Hampton counters this by saying wild pigs and Buffalo are already efficiently killed by hunters. Any crocodile safaris will be regulated under the Animal Welfare Act.

Crocodile numbers in Australia are topping 150,000. Two people die every year as they walk along river banks or swim. Protection of the seven meter long animals has been ongoing since the 1970s.
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Tourism

Do-Gooders Steam off in Anger

Our freedom of speech is under attack from do-gooders who want to stop others expressing their views. There is a bit of nastiness in all of use. We do not act on this because our sense of humour can be used to smooth things out.

A case in point is the adoption of bumper stickers with "Kangaroos, run the buggers over" written on them by a rental caravan company. This is dry wit and harmless fun. If you do try to run them down you will be arrested. Even the RSPCA protested. It would be expected that the Australian Society for Kangaroos would have something to say.

The company did remove the stickers, though they should have left them because even bad advertising sells.
~~~~~Society~~~~~
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