RSPCA Pulls Out Of Crufts

[LadyTalisman]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-...ars_Of_Cruelty

I watched the programme in question and ended up shoouting and swearing at the TV.

There were so called breeders & showers who were also saying that if a pup when born isn't to showing standard they are put down.

This would include Gracie & Dylan had they been born to a showing breeder.

I'd rather put the breeder down.

[janking]

I agree..it makes me sick to think that puppies are held to "high standards" like that..like if they are not absolutely PERFECT, then they are considered "no good" and like Gail said..put down. What if us humans did that, if a baby wasnt born perfect...ooooohhh...thats just ridiculous and it sounds like something out of the Hitler era.....

[LadyTalisman]

Originally Posted by janking

I agree..it makes me sick to think that puppies are held to "high standards" like that..like if they are not absolutely PERFECT, then they are considered "no good" and like Gail said..put down. What if us humans did that, if a baby wasnt born perfect...ooooohhh...thats just ridiculous and it sounds like something out of the Hitler era.....

You're not to far from the truth with the Hitler era. . . .

From what I remember that is where the Kennel Club orig got some of its ideas from.

It wasn't born from that but similar things are going on in the breeding.

[Mommyof4]

I'd rather put the breeder down

Amen. I agree with you there Gail ...
This sort of stuff makes me sick to my stomach - Knowing that there are so many innoncent animals out there dying for no good reason ....

[Worthless Mutt]

Sadly, this has been going on for thousands of years. In the process of domesticating animals, humans chose whichever animals best suited their purpose and disposed of the rest.

Over the centuries, countless "unfit" dogs were killed to produce the breeds we know today. And it's not just the ones with serious genetic diseases who are disposed of; sometimes it's the one whose coat is the wrong color. Personally, I find it disturbing just to think about it.

A working understanding of genetics and the basic concepts of selective breeding were well-established by the time Hitler came to power, and Hitler actually did apply these animal breeding concepts to humans. Hitler was bent on building a race of humans superior to the rest of the world. Hitler basically said that certain people should have children and others should not. The theory is that if only the most "fit" have children, then the population as a whole would become stronger with each generation. (That's the same theory behind the breeding of domestic animals.) The reason Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews is because he (wrongfully) believed that they were inferior and wanted to completely remove them from the gene pool.

Back to the killing of "unfit" animals, what I find so sickening is that our supposedly more advanced modern cultures are still doing the same thing. In many instances, people have gone beyond accepting it to actually expecting it. I agree with not breeding animals who don't fit the breed standard, but there is no reason to kill the ones who don't. They can simply be fixed and be wonderful pets.

I find it interesting when we look at those animals with more serious genetic flaws, whether it's Gail's dogs with their balance problems, Theresa's dogs with epilepsy, or my dogs with their fear issues. It seems that some of us are especially suited to take care of animals with special needs and actually consider it a priveledge to have the opportunity to do so. I don't think such dogs should be bred, but the responsible thing for a breeder to do is have them fixed and find them homes. Unfortunately, responsible breeders are few and far between.

I'm glad the RSPCA is willing to make a statement. I'd like to see the American counterparts follow suit. I live in the middle of puppy mill land where laws are being broken openly with impunity while humane societies and animal control agencies ignore it.