ARE THE KENNEL CLUB DISGRACEFUL? |
International Symposium on the Dog |
The Kennel Club in the UK held its 'International Symposium On The Dog' in London at its world famous headquarters in Clarges Street. Press: Mr. Matthew Stander – Dog News The following is an extract from a report published by Matthew Stander.
“We all make the mistake
of calling Jemima Harrison’s (“Pedigree Dogs Exposed”) work an
investigative documentary revealing the so-called suffering of show
dogs. The fact of the matter is that the greater part of the program in
my opinion is a fictionalization which dramatically exaggerates a
situation in order to prove a pre-concluded negative theory. Played with
an even hand, in all likelihood the BBC would never even have aired the
program since it would not have been controversial enough to sustain any
interest. As it was it was played and initially proved a tremendous
distraction within the UK, a distraction which in my opinion would have
dissipated considerably earlier had the program not been treated with a
respect and dignity it never earned nor deserved. And so the Symposium
which began originally directed in one way soon became totally
redirected as far as I can see as both an answer to the BBC program and
an opportunity for the world at large to see The Kennel Club’s reaction
to one of the animal-welfare charities’ spurious charge that “Crufts is
a parade of mutants!!!” Can you just imagine the reaction in the States
to Ron Menaker demanding a change in breed standards because PETA said,
“jump!” "The second day I was shocked beyond words to hear Ronnie Irving (Kennel Club Chairman)and Ruth Barbour of the (Kennel Club) General Committee, both say that if breed clubs did not change their standards to the liking of the Kennel Club General Committee, they would consider disenfranchising the breeds in question. Indeed Dr. Barbour said specifically, “Like it or lump it” and Mr. Irving (Kennel Club Chairman) was even more direct by saying specifically that the breed would no longer be recognized in the UK. And this was confirmed to me – I thought at first I was hearing things by Americans in the audience as well."
FULL REPORT here: http://www.dognews.com/stander/2009/071709/stander071709.html
|
|
|