Alsatian Dogs

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 101, 23 January 1935, Page 11

Alsatian Dogs

Sir, —Alsatian owners do not give any serious reason for the need of those powerful dogs in this country. True, they are used as police dogs in some countries, not to find but to help capture criminals, but it is doubtful if. any British countries would tolerate the mauling of even a criminal by a police dog. Some time ago you published an article on the wonderful work of police dogs in South Africa, in finding, not capturing criminals. It stated that Alsatians were useless for the work. Nor are they needed for protection against our fellow men. Like bulls most of them are quiet, but there often comes a time when they attack even their owners, us for example when one attacked its mistress anti was shot. Supposing this case happened in the country, aud the dog had been kept for the so-called protection of his mistress when alone, what a horrible affair it would have been. Of course, they will work sheep if trained, but there are others who will do it better and more cheaply.

In parts of Europe long before the war it. was known' as the Berger d’Alsace. Sheep work in Germany'is different from sheep work here, and the dogs were used mainly to protect the sheep near the fotest country, In nearly all case.i the dogs were used for their strength, and those conditions do not apply here. Of course, bite people at times, but it is the strength of the Alsatian that makes it so dangerous. An air-gun is as likely to go off as a .303, but the latter is capable of doing much greater damage. Most people who own Alsatians let them run where they like and have little control over them, and there are cases of attack by these dogs that do not reach the papers. In one case I know of, the owner thought it a joke. It is not right that women and children should be terrorised and caused much mental Buffeting to satisfy a fad. There are many snappy crossbred Alsatians around the country now. For sanitary reasons also, these dogs should bo kent off the streets. Was any part of the Bill on Alsatians passed in Parliament, such as using muzzles when on the streets?—l am, etc., CHILDREN FIRST. Wairarapa, January 21, 1935. [No part of the Alsatian Dog Bill was passed.]