Editorial

FIRST I apologise for the delay in releasing the second issue of this magazine. We have tried to obtain funding or a loan for printing the magazine, but have ultimately failed. However, we are not about to give in, as we believe it will serve a very useful purpose to all canine enthusiasts. Our solution now is to make this magazine available by subscription only! This way we will build up slowly, beginning with production on an inkjet printer, shortly acquiring a laser printer, and finally when numbers are high enough we will again try the bookshop shelves. So if you know of anyone who would like a subscription, please pass on the address or phone number and tell them to call us!

As this magazine goes to print there is a large blot on the horizon as far as New Zealand dogs are concerned. There is a new trade in this country - the sale of dogs for the Asian meat market - and the breeders who have sold their dogs to one of the many Asian predators at present roaming the country are oblivious to the intentions of the buyer. The buyer says he will collect the dog on a certain day when he has arranged its transport to Asia - and after the dog is collected the breeder does not hear from the buyer or the dog again. Very few have ever left New Zealand for Asia, according to MAF, and of those who have, it has been reported that three Labradors from NZ were observed in a Singapore pet shop for at least three weeks - they were in cages so small that they could barely turn around and could not stand up to full height.

It has been reported that earlier this year 26 dogs were loaded onto a Philippine cargo boat in Mt Maunganui. These dogs had no destination - they were fresh meat for the crew!

One would wonder where these dogs came from - are they stolen, as with the recent case of a German Shepherd that was found on a Taiwan boat? Are they sometimes bought from the pound at different port (or inland) areas of the country? There may be instances of both, but the sad part is that these dogs can be loaded onto a ship with no-one asking questions. Asia (or the Pacific) does not need any more dogs - in most areas it is overrun with them!

I have contacted the Kennel Club, but its hands are tied - under its charter and the rules of the Commerce Commission it must not interfere in any way with the sale of pedigree dogs from breeder to buyer. It did, however, confirm that one Asian man has bought a number of pedigree dogs we hear also that the same man has been active in Australia, trying to buy Saint Bernards.

I have heard one talk-back host make light of Winston Peters' attempt to gain a better future for canine victims of the scam, and the question was asked, "why doesn't he just get the police on to it?"

But it is NOT in this country illegal to buy dogs; to export them to Asia; to set up 'puppy farms' which have been all but eliminated in most enlightened western countries; or even to eat them - New Zealand has never had a problem like this before and as a consequence has no laws at all to ban such activities. The police are unable to investigate, as no 'crime' has been committed.

The RSPCA investigated an address that was given by the buyer, and found it to be a restaurant! There were many dogs upstairs in cages, but when asked why they were there the owner said they were awaiting their plane to Asia. Next day they were uplifted, but they have NOT gone overseas! This was confirmed by MAF.

The assumption is that these unfortunate dogs are being 'tasted' in NZ (probably at very high black market meal prices by very rich Asian businessmen) for each breed's suitability as meat dogs, to be bred here and sent out to Asian tables. - Elezabeth