Dog Community

CLASS or BIAS

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:27:41 PM

An interesting local debate over a councillors request to have special laws enacted to more severly punish persons injurinng or killing a police service animal. This issue follows the recent deaths of a police dog in B.C. and a horse in Toronto. Interestingly, they both were given huge international furnerals - in Toronto, over 3,000 people attended. That's been another HOT topic!

So anyways this councillor got me thinking about the fact, that this would then put service animals in a different class with different recognition. The more I thought about it, I realizes that dogs already are in a class system. Here's how I see it. Agree?

SERVICE DOG
PUREBRED CHAMPIONED
PURREBRED SHOW LINES
PUREBRED WORKING LINES
MIXED BREED
DESIGNER DOG
HOMELESS DOG

Personally whether or not it's a true class system, I think there is a lot of bias in the dog community. It can be subtle, but I'm sure most of us have felt it. It's too bad really!

huskymom

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:32:18 PM

Hey the Littlest Hobo was a homeless dog!

sillysally

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:35:14 PM

This happens here in the US with people. In many states if you are convicted of murdering a police officer you are automatically eligable for the death penalty, and have a high likelyhood of getting it. I can kind of see what you're saying, but I think that different "classes" have different rankings depending on who you are in the dog community. If you are very into AKC events, than yes you are going to be more interested in the purebred stuff. However, there are also a HUGE number of dog people who not only would never do anything but rescue themselves, but look down on people that buy purebred dogs.

luv_my_3_labs

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:35:35 PM

don't forget the poor pound puppy's on death row, guess that would be the homeless category. Never thought of it this way but I guess they do have a class system too.

glenmar

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:42:14 PM

In a way I have to agree with the proposal.....any one who kills a COP in the line of duty ought to face more severe consequences. Not that the value of the cops life is higher than anyone elses, BUT that cop is there to defend and serve US, and his/her death leaves one less piece of defense between US and the crud. A canine officer is still a COP.

I've had a bit of everything, except for the show lines/champions, so to me, a dog is a dog is a dog, and I love them all regardless of their pedigree. But, when we were breeding cockers I was accused of being a dog Nazi! So, have rubbed elbows with the EXTREME on both sides!

garrettandpaul

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:52:13 PM

In a way I have to agree with the proposal.....any one who kills a COP in the line of duty ought to face more severe consequences. Not that the value of the cops life is higher than anyone elses, BUT that cop is there to defend and serve US, and his/her death leaves one less piece of defense between US and the crud. A canine officer is still a COP.

Ditto what you said.[

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huskymom

Posted : 3/15/2006 9:23:14 PM

I kind of see it too. I mean it is a terrible crime to kill a cop. They put their lives on the line to protect us everyday. And they do it by choice. Its the same with the army, navy whatever. But to kill a K9 cop... they put their lives on the line to protect us everyday and they do not do it by choice. They are trained to do it. It is their job and I have no doubt that they love their work as most dogs do. But still they do not ask to do it.

Lexi

Posted : 3/15/2006 9:35:04 PM

Well, I'm for stricter punishment for all animal abuse, and I think that certainly qualifies.

twelvepaws

Posted : 3/16/2006 9:26:11 AM

I think the proposal is good. If a suspect knows the dog isn't "just a dog" and can get away with doing away with teh dog and potentially getting away with his crime, it allows the human cop to be more safe and.

Bella Rose

Posted : 3/16/2006 10:24:29 AM

An interesting twist on this subject, but I once read an article about guide dogs and about how many are attacked and injured/killed by aggressive off leash dogs. In some states it is a serious crime, but I'm not sure how the laws are everywhere.

Do posters think that the owners of dogs who injure/kill a service dog should be charged with a felony? I think that's what the article I read was proposing, but I read it a long time ago. I definitely think there should be serious penalties for anyone responsible for injuring any working service dog.

Lauri S.

Posted : 3/16/2006 11:53:29 AM

Personally, I think killing a defenseless animal - regardless of their job, DNA status or living conditions sould be a felony with very high sentences.

Killing a police dog, a seeing eye dog or a homeless dog - all the same to me.

twelvepaws

Posted : 3/16/2006 1:15:36 PM

I agree, Laurie, but I think it's a good place to start. Even if this seems to make it a "more worthwhile" dog, I think it's a good base towards achieving your (and mine, too!) dream of justice.

tessa_s212

Posted : 3/16/2006 6:11:09 PM

ORIGINAL: bellarose

An interesting twist on this subject, but I once read an article about guide dogs and about how many are attacked and injured/killed by aggressive off leash dogs. In some states it is a serious crime, but I'm not sure how the laws are everywhere.

Do posters think that the owners of dogs who injure/kill a service dog should be charged with a felony? I think that's what the article I read was proposing, but I read it a long time ago. I definitely think there should be serious penalties for anyone responsible for injuring any working service dog.

Well, for me.. I know that there are many people that love their pets and are actually taking steps to reduce their dog's aggression. If a person like that would happen to have their dog attack/kill a service dog... I'd certainly feel a felony was too harsh a punishment for them, though I'd feel a big fine wouldn't. But, for someone that was extremely ignorant, was not taking steps to cure the aggression, or was even encouraging the dog's aggression, *then* I'd feel that the punishment needed to be much stricter/harsher.