Tapsearch Com EditorThe case against puppies
January 22nd 2007 17:40
The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 came up in a story I read awhile back, but I forgot to read up on it and weigh in. Here goes.
From the government:
"On November 9, 2000, the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 was signed, prohibiting '....imports, exports, sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and distribution in the United States of dog and cat fur products.' The Act is designed to deter any operations that may cause brutality, suffering, or torture to cats and dogs and that may expose them to unjustifiable, inhumane living conditions.
"The Act is a result of an 18-month undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that exposed the widespread brutal slaughter of more than two million domestic dogs and cats each year by Chinese and other Asian manufacturers. The fur of these dogs and cats is commonly used in the manufacture of products such as fur coats, fur-trimmed gloves, hats, and figurines, which are then sold in the United States and around the world."
First of all, the rationale is disingenuous. If all dog and cat fur is linked to conditions of "brutality, suffering, or torture" that are "unjustifiable, inhumane," why would the protection be limited to dogs and cats? Ban all fur.
What's really behind this is that American culture holds cute puppies and kitties above other animals.
I've long objected to this norm. Enjoy Fido and Frisky as pets, but let your neighbor use Lassie and Puffy how he wants to. Wear dog fur, just not my dog's fur.
Animal shelters put plenty of dogs and cats down when they can't take care of the critters -- 3 to 4 million per year in the U.S. by the Humane Society's own estimate. Wouldn't it be less wasteful to give the meat to the homeless and sell the fur to someone who could profit from it?
That said, the legislation is, in an odd hippie way, a defense of U.S. values in the face of foreigner behavior. Asians don't share our dog-and-cat worship, and this is a way of saying "if you're here or selling your products here, you'll abide by our traditions."
From the government:
"On November 9, 2000, the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 was signed, prohibiting '....imports, exports, sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and distribution in the United States of dog and cat fur products.' The Act is designed to deter any operations that may cause brutality, suffering, or torture to cats and dogs and that may expose them to unjustifiable, inhumane living conditions.
"The Act is a result of an 18-month undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that exposed the widespread brutal slaughter of more than two million domestic dogs and cats each year by Chinese and other Asian manufacturers. The fur of these dogs and cats is commonly used in the manufacture of products such as fur coats, fur-trimmed gloves, hats, and figurines, which are then sold in the United States and around the world."
First of all, the rationale is disingenuous. If all dog and cat fur is linked to conditions of "brutality, suffering, or torture" that are "unjustifiable, inhumane," why would the protection be limited to dogs and cats? Ban all fur.
What's really behind this is that American culture holds cute puppies and kitties above other animals.
I've long objected to this norm. Enjoy Fido and Frisky as pets, but let your neighbor use Lassie and Puffy how he wants to. Wear dog fur, just not my dog's fur.
Animal shelters put plenty of dogs and cats down when they can't take care of the critters -- 3 to 4 million per year in the U.S. by the Humane Society's own estimate. Wouldn't it be less wasteful to give the meat to the homeless and sell the fur to someone who could profit from it?
That said, the legislation is, in an odd hippie way, a defense of U.S. values in the face of foreigner behavior. Asians don't share our dog-and-cat worship, and this is a way of saying "if you're here or selling your products here, you'll abide by our traditions."
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