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The SPCA is calling for a law change following its investigation
into the killing and cooking of a pet dog by a Tongan family in
Auckland.
The SPCA is frustrated the practice is not illegal in New Zealand,
and adds that people eating their pets happens more often than
society realises.
Paea Taufa was found
roasting his pitbull terrier-cross in an umu pit
at his home in Mangere on Saturday. The dog had been skinned and
gutted and was partially charred when SPCA inspectors arrived.
Under the Animal Welfare Act it is legal to kill a dog in New Zealand if the animal is slaughtered swiftly and painlessly.
The Taufa family say back home in Tonga it is normal, and they did not realise they were doing anything morally wrong.
Dr Malakai Koloamatangi, a Tongan cultural expert from the University of Canterbury, says in his homeland dog is a delicacy enjoyed mostly by young men.
He says he would be comfortable with it being on dinner plates in New Zealand.
"It is meat, so if the law was changed to allow Tongans and other Pacific Islanders to eat dog meat then so be it," says Koloamatangi.
However, the SPCA wants the Animal Welfare Act updated to ban the practice and will be talking to Tongan community leaders about preventing such killings.
"Over the next few days, we hope to talk to Tongan community leaders and enlist their involvement in making the community more aware that slaughtering and eating pets is unacceptable," says SPCA national Chief Executive, Robyn Kippenberger.
"We understand that the issue might be viewed differently from the standpoint of some other cultures. But we believe that the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders of all ethnicities will share our shock and concern over this incident," says Kippenberger.
The SPCA says it will also lobby the government on the issue.
"We don't believe the present law covers this area and we would like to see it discussed openly," says Garth Halliday, Auckland SPCA's Chief Executive.
The Minister of Agriculture, David Carter, says he is unsure whether a law change is needed but he is morally clear on the issue.
"I think when people come to live in New Zealand they need to be aware of our cultural values and in this case (the) eating of dogs is something that most New Zealanders find totally unacceptable."
The SPCA will also discuss more robust standards over what can be eaten with the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
"The fact is that animals such as this domestic dog, slaughtered in backyards, may be disease-ridden and unsuitable for human consumption," says Kippenberger.
Below is a sample of some of your opinions on the issue:
"I know it's probably a double standard 'cos I eat pretty much any other meat - but the thought of killing a dog to eat it really grosses me out. There has to be boundaries about what animals can be eaten or all sorts would be getting killed." - Pete
"We live in a heavily dominated speciesist world. I am Vegan; I reject all forms of animal exploitation because it is all wrong. Yes, what was done to this dog was wrong, however it is hypocritical to call this wrong when people intentionally take part in other forms of animal exploitation." - Vegan
"Eating a pet dog is no different from eating beef or pork or chicken. As a vegetarian I find all of these wrong. How many people commenting in here are outraged at the eating of a pet dog, but will then eat another animal for dinner tonight? Unless you're a vegetarian, you're a hypocrite. I'd be great if people could look at the morality of eating all animals, not just the ones we find cute and cuddly." - Max Power
"The SPCA is for the prevention of cruelty. Why are they involving themselves with an issue where there was no cruelty? By their own admission, the dog was humanely killed, so what are they calling for legislation for. And what will the legislation say, because a lot of dogs are put down, so it will have to deal with the eating of pets? What about pet cows or sheep? Good on them I say, let them eat dog." - joemac
"Pet dog, pet lambs, pet pigs, horses - what does it matter?
They're animals and humans eat animals. As long as they are killed
humanely. Different cultural values is a red herring. It doesn't
matter at the end of the day. Who is to say that eating a dog is
morally worse than eating a pet lamb or a pig?" - Westridge
Should it be illegal to kill and eat domestic pets in New
Zealand? - Leave your comments on the messageboard.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentMakenito said on 2009-08-24 @ 21:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Goodpoint nn. Sidenote: If someone could quickly tell me which option to choose so that I can post a reply to a comment, rather than posting a totally new comment - twud be greatly appreciated. In my dyslexic mind, im almost positive that its the 'add to this thread' and'post a new comment' is playing games wit me.
Makenito said on 2009-08-24 @ 21:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
Max, I don't wanna come across as someone who supports the abuse of animals. I have stated previously - I have two dogs (siberian huskies - beautiful, mischievous monkies that they are) and I love them. BUT, had I a child, my love for my dogs would be different from my love for my child. Put it like this, if my dogs were to maul my child - my dogs would go straight to the Pound. Roles reversed?child would not be put down.
bLuShEr05 said on 2009-08-23 @ 11:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
And all the Dog and Cats lovers???? That are going all RIGHTIOUSNESS!! How about standing up for the rights of the other animals??? The only people who have the right to go all "DRAMATIC" about this situation are the VEGANS & VEGETERIANs because it's against their morals and values. But if you sit there and judge this man and yet eat meat, I guess thats your choice but your being a HYPOCRITE!!! I don't have a problem with him eatting his dog, I wouldn't eat it myself, but I do eat meat!
Max Power said on 2009-08-21 @ 23:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
Makenito, whether something is legal or not does not determine whether it is right or wrong. Laws are only a persons attempt to put morals into some sort of formal context. Mistakes are always made. I have nothing against this Tongan man since he didnt know what he was doing was wrong. I do find what he did disgusting though, but no less disgusting that what millions of people do in this country every day; eat dead animals. What he did is no different from buying meat from the supermarket.
Makenito said on 2009-08-21 @ 22:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
To each his own.. Now we know your views.. congratulations.. Again, if he is a pig.. that makes you a ..? Its not nice to call names.