We have good reason to believe that not only will the Galef anti-ear-crop-and-tail-dock bill miss being introduced before the Agriculture Committee in NYS, but that it may not be re-introduced in the future. This took some hard behind-the-scenes work but should serve as an example to everyone of how lethal the RATS can be. RATS, of course, being my acronym for the Radical Animal Rightists. They take advantage of well-meaning individuals, such as Assemblywoman Galef, and feed them lines of bull. As we all know, there are always more than two sides to an argument, and it behooves all of us in the sport to stay alert to these attacks. Candidly, I'm not the greatest proponent of cropping, but I do think this is an individual's decision to make and not a governmental one. Docking I find acceptable if performed humanely, as is the taking of dewclaws.
A few weeks ago, in England, I was at a formal dinner, seated next to the wife of a prominent veterinarian in the U.K., who happened to be a Magistrate herself. Quite charming and attractive, one may add, and we were getting along rather well until somehow the topic of tail docking arose. I opted as to how I had little problem with it when done humanely. Little did I know she and her husband were leaders of the movement to do away with docking in its entirety. We had a long, meaningful conversation, and to her obvious surprise if not chagrin, failed to accept or concede to any of my arguments. That's her business, I guess, but it was disheartening to me to hear her arguments, which were, in my opinion, based upon unproven facts. By the way, what follows is the latest Kennel Club U.K. statement on the matter:
“The Kennel Club would like to clarify its position relating to the Animal Welfare Bill and the implications that the proposed ban on tail docking would have on shows.
The recent vote in the House of Commons regarding tail docking, has resulted in a situation which will, hopefully, protect the right of owners of certain types of working dogs to continue to dock pups which are likely to be worked. It will not allow for the owners of all working breeds to continue to dock unless they can prove that their pups are to be used for their traditional job of work. Defra has failed to make clear how they intend to tackle the matter of natural bobs in a number of breeds, despite Kennel Club enquiries on the subject.
As it currently stands, the Bill is also due to include a ban on showing dogs that are docked, even if legally docked. This will apply only to dogs docked after the date of the law's introduction onwards. This rule will only apply to shows where the viewing public has been charged an entry fee. Any dog that has been docked prior to the date of the Bill's introduction will continue to be allowed to be shown at all shows for the lifetime of the dog. It appears that this rule will apply to all dogs from the U.K. and overseas.
The Kennel Club does not see the logic of the proposed ban on showing of docked dogs, as it sees no reason why responsible and genuine working dog owners should be penalized for legally carrying out an action that the Government accepts is in the interest of the dog's welfare. The Kennel Club is lobbying parliamentarians to remove this ban from the Bill and has stated that it is willing and able to take responsibility for monitoring docked dogs at Kennel Club licensed shows to ensure that they have been docked legally, and would, if it were left to deal with the matter under the law, disqualify from wins at such shows any dogs which had been docked illegally.
Further to the information on docking, dew claw removal is not currently suggested as a matter for inclusion in the Animal Welfare Bill but the Kennel Club will continue to watch this issue very closely at the regulations stage.”
As a break from the usual, here's a little update for you with regards to things to do in New York City if you are planning a summer visit. Do visit, just a few blocks south of the AKC, the refurbished and up-to-date Morgan Library and Art Museum. Dinner at the Museum's restaurant right now is limited to Friday and Saturday evenings, but believe me, if you get the chance, take advantage of eating there, for sure. Just a few blocks South, on Madison, is what I consider one of the most elaborate and best of the new restaurants, Country. Located in the magnificent Carlton Hotel at 88 Madison, the dining room is just spectacular, as I have written before. This is the upstairs room. Also on the same level is the Champagne Bar-don't miss it either. On the lower level are two very swingy bars and less expensive places to eat as well. Nice, but not as good as the upper levels. And traveling down Mad once more to 26th Street is one of the hottest new Italian restaurants you'll find anywhere. It's so with it, most people think it really should have been in the Meatpacking District. Its called A VOCE, but I warn you to call way in advance for reservations for either lunch or dinner. Bring a sweater-the AC is almost too cold! And speaking of the Meatpacking District, have you been there lately? Since our printer moved from the neighborhood, I really hadn't been down there of late-certainly not in the daytime. My god, what a neighborhood transformation. It's almost like being on Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side without all the pretensions of that neighborhood. No wonder it has caught on so with the hip and young. Go there to shop and dine-evenings or lunch-and just walk around. It is a new, revitalized section of the city, and without a major league stadium needed to prove what can happen when spirit and imagination are the main ingredients. And, of course, this has affected the immediate streets adjacent in both Chelsea and the West Village. Some of the city's most exciting stores can now be found on Bleecker Street, so give that a try before or after the Meatpacking District. As for theatre, don't miss “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “The History Boys” or “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.” Personally, I thought the latter to be unbeatable theatre. Gory black comedy with a major lesson-brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! •
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