Post by lovezois on Jan 19, 2009 12:39:53 GMT
Veterinarian speaks out on PETA & Westminister (Crufts too?)
COPY AND PASTED FROM ANOTHER SITE...
Received this from another list I am on.
Veterinarian speaks out on PETA & Westminister
Permission to crosspost: Only if you copy and past in a new e-mail and don't just
forward~!!!! !!
Thank you Libbye Miller DVM for stating:
"Adorable mixed breeds" get cancer, epilepsy,
allergies, heart disease, and orthopedic problems just
like purebreds. I see it every day in my veterinary
practice but mixed breed dogs aren't tracked like
the purebreds so they have a reputation as "healthier"
that is actually undeserved in many cases."
It is so sad that a lot of folks, including young
veterinarians these days, buy into the "hybrid vigor"
baloney. The vet schools have been infiltrated by the
Animal Rights Extremists, who are teaching them this
junk science in order to push their agenda.
All animals have a certain amount of genetic load,
which is to say there is absolutely no animal without
some genetic problem of some sort of another. Know
anyone who wears glasses? Has allergies? Thyroid
problems? Weak knees? Flat feet? A skin condition?
Arthritis? A gap between their front teeth? These are
all genetic imperfections.
No human is genetically "clean." Neither is any
individual of any species on earth. So this idea that
dogs should not be bred because
they might have a genetic problem, and that breeders
are somehow "evil" for breeding them, is ridiculous.
Every single individual of every single species has at
least a few genetic conditions.
To use PeTA's logic, all breeding of all kinds (including
having human babies) should halt immediately. And
to be honest, Ingrid Newkirk (the woman who
founded PeTA) does believe exactly that. She thinks
that humans should become extinct, along with dogs,
cats, etc. This ridiculous scenario is precisely what she
would like to see happen.
So folks, if that is what you want...if you agree with
Ingrid Newkirk's whacky views, send your hard
earned money to PeTA. They will help to ensure you
are not able to own a dog or cat or hamster or any
other pet in the future. They will see to it that you
can't eat meat or fish or eggs or any type of animalbased
nutrition. They will work to shut down places
like Sea World, the zoos, etc. so you cannot observe
the many wonderful animals on the Earth. Eventually,
once they accomplish these things, they may turn
their efforts to making it illegal for humans to
procreate.
If you don't agree with their extremist views, wise up
and start supporting those who truly do love, care for
and enjoy interaction with other species here on our
little blue planet.
The fanciers of the breeds, those you see exhibiting
their dogs at Westminster and other dog shows, work
very hard to eliminate serious genetic conditions.
They screen their breeding stock with every
available test. They research pedigrees before
breeding into other lines, to check for similar
clearances in those animals. They contribute money
to research organizations to further the work being
done to track down genetic problems. They contribute
blood, cell samples, etc. from their own animals to
help with DNA and genome studies. They have made
great progress so far, and they continue to work hard
at it.
Are there unethical breeders? Certainly, there are.
Just as in any group of humans, you will find the good
and the bad. United States VP Elect Joe Biden, for
example, managed to find a not so good one when he
got his new German Shepherd puppy. I don't know
who did his research for him, but they obviously didn't
do their homework if they were looking for a
responsible breeder. Joe has the right to get his dog
from whomever he wishes, but if he was trying to set
an example of purchasing from a responsible hobby
breeder he went off the track this time. That's too
bad, but it was his choice.
Unfortunately, breeders like that may be a lot easier
to find because of their high volume and high profile.
If you are looking for a nice family pet from a breeder
who will be there for you forever, you need to do due
diligence. You won't get that from a pet store. You
won't get that from the guy selling dogs out of his
pickup truck in the WalMart parking lot. You won't get
that support from a high-volume breeder, either. Yes,
it takes a little more time and effort to find someone
who really cares and does all the work to breed the
healthiest, happiest puppies possible and then stands
behind those puppies.
This is a living being that will be part of your family,
hopefully, for many years. Isn't it worth a bit of effort
to find a breeder who will be there for you and that
puppy forever?
And guess what? Shows like Westminster are a very
valuable resource for finding breeders who do care
and who use the best possible practices, as well as for
learning more about the various breeds.
Bravo to USA Network for broadcasting the
Westminster Kennel Club show all these years. May
they enjoy continued success through the ongoing
inclusion of such programs. I will be eagerly watching
this year's show.
Dr. Libbye Miller