Important victory for the dogs in the court of appeals
Text: Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals
Breeds in violation of the law
In Norway, we have an animal welfare law that gives our dogs strong protection against unnecessary injury, disease and pain. The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals believes that this law is not followed in much of today's dog breeding practice. We are therefore very satisfied with the Court of Appeal's judgment, which shows us that the regulations have a real effect. Now two legal instances have established through the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed that parts of today's breeding practices are in violation of the law. This is a huge victory for animal welfare.
For many decades, professional circles have been strenuously trying to raise concerns about these problems, now another legal instance agrees with this, says CEO of The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals, Åshild Roaldset BVSc. This judgment therefore means that you cannot continue as before - and it is important to get it established.
Bulldog with reservation
The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals is at the same time surprised by the Court of Appeal's conclusion on the English bulldog. This is a breed with a huge disease burden, and where a large proportion of the population suffers from breathing problems. The hereditary disorders of this breed have been well documented in the literature for almost a hundred years, and recent research clearly shows that the condition of this breed is critical. The Court of Appeal nevertheless sets the threshold higher than what the District Court did for the bulldog, claiming that the health challenges have not been sufficiently proven.
With an inbreeding rate in the bulldog of approximately 35% and so many different diseases, we believe that you have no opportunity to significantly improve the health of this breed without cross-breeding, says Roaldset. It is a shame if our dogs have to suffer for even more years, in order for us to be able to shed enough light on this.
Dog breeding of the future
It is important to point out that this judgment is not about the consequences of the court establishing a ban on further breeding of one of the two breeds. Although it has been mentioned a lot, the case is not about crossbreeding projects, or about the risk of illegal imports. These are of course also very important topics, which the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals is actively working on, but they are outside of what the court has decided.
Our focus is and will remain on the dogs and their welfare. The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals has worked for animals since 1859. To not address the biggest animal welfare problem in the dogs of our time would be to fail the values that the organisation stands for, says Roaldset.
The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals wants MORE and BETTER organisation of dog breeding, and that it must apply to all individuals - both purebred dogs, designer dogs and mixed dogs. We want all dogs to be sold with estimated breeding values for temperament, function and health, and genomic relatedness. This is in line with the EU's guidelines for dog breeding, which both breeders, kennel clubs, animal welfare organisations and the authorities should be able to agree on.
Geneticists must be involved in dog breeding. The time when selection of breeding animals is made by exterior judges, with the main focus on appearance, must be over. The price the dogs have had to pay for this type of unscientific breeding practice has been far too high for far too long. Dogs are descended from the wolf and did not look like they do today until humans started breeding. In other words, the ailments these dogs live with are entirely man-made.
For å se denne videoen, må du gi ditt samtykke øverst på denne siden.Mans best friend
Nøkkelord
Kontakter
Åshild RoaldsetVeterinær og daglig leder i Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge
Foto: Marcel Leliënhof
Bilder
Lenker
Om Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge
The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals is a nationwide animal protection organisation with 25 local branches spread from north to south. With over 8,500 members, we are one of the country's largest and only nationwide animal welfare organisations that provide practical help to animals in need. Since 1859, we have worked to ensure that animals are treated with respect and compassion. This makes us one of the world's oldest animal protection organisations.
Følg pressemeldinger fra Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge
Registrer deg med din e-postadresse under for å få de nyeste sakene fra Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge på e-post fortløpende. Du kan melde deg av når som helst.
Siste pressemeldinger fra Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge
Valper skal ikke jobbe i et yogastudio21.3.2024 14:34:21 CET | Pressemelding
To valpeyogabedrifter åpner i Oslo denne måneden. Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge mener valpeyoga kan være brudd på dyrevelferdsloven, og at aktiviteten bør stanses umiddelbart.
Lisaklinikkens Caroline Holtet er årets veterinær15.3.2024 06:32:10 CET | Pressemelding
Veterinæren vant prisen for sitt mangeårige arbeid for dyrevelferd og hjelp til økonomisk vanskeligstilte eiere og deres dyr.
Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge politianmelder hundeeier5.3.2024 11:12:46 CET | Pressemelding
Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge har i dag politianmeldt en hundeeier for brudd på dyrevelferdsloven §§ 3 og 14a, og jobber også for å få hentet ut hundene og plassert dem i fosterhjem.
Oppfordrer til kastrering og id-merking av katt og kanin19.2.2024 14:11:31 CET | Pressemelding
Tusenvis av katter og kaniner har ikke et hjem. Mange av dem sulter eller fryser i hjel. Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge, Den norske veterinærforening og Norsk dyrepleier- og assistentforening går derfor sammen om en felles informasjonskampanje.
Pollestad motarbeider velferd hos katt9.1.2024 15:07:24 CET | Pressemelding
Stortinget stemte tirsdag ned Venstres representantforslag om innføring av lovpålagt ID-merking av katt. Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge mener landbruks- og matminister Geir Pollestad (Sp) ikke tar dødeligheten hos hjemløse katter på alvor.
I vårt presserom finner du alle våre siste pressemeldinger, kontaktpersoner, bilder, dokumenter og annen relevant informasjon om oss.
Besøk vårt presserom