Niki,
So you think our hypocrisy is acceptable. And the antics of the wild life entrepreneur who has a rug and hat of cat skins trapped in his nature reserves.
And you see no conflict with shooting, poisoning feral cats and dogs all of whom have decimated our wild life …then there are the cute bunnies and Reynard fox and his uncountable rellies?

Do you think Asian don’t know about our practices?
Yet you blindly support the RSPCA cynical attack on Asia. I put it you that they are an easy target rather than cleaning up our own back yard.

Once any animal is dead it matters little what happens then…big bonfire, in the river or eaten.
Do I mention our lamb skin, rabbit fur, calf skin, goat skin Crocodile skin, Emu et al all of which their meat ends up on the table.

Like I said all of this is a worry but before we insult our neighbours by trying to impose our cultural anthropomorphised perspective over what is ultimately protein.
Logically you are either arguing on an emotive level or you are selling the idea of mass veganism.

Even if you stop the trade there what do you imagine would happen …that the Asian’s would say ‘oh well’ and stop the practice? It would increase resentment particularly with our domestic record.
You ignored my last post so here’s another based on facts not emotions.
e.g. where are your figures that show that the dogs being eaten come from Australia. those I've seen certainly weren't even remotely identifiable as any breed let alone Australian in origin.All you've got is 200k dogs being shipped and a squillion strays where is the cause and effect evidence.
Regardless, You’re right it IS a worry and I don't like it but fair crack of the whip.

*any animal, be it a sheep, a cow, a goat, horse, camel, dog or cat, rabbit, rat or mouse, to be brutalised - by anyone. It's that simple.*

Your problem is in the semantics Nicky, for you apply the term
"brutalise" to any species eating another species for dinner.

Yet one species eating another is part of nature and in fact keeps
populations sustainable. The lions exploit the zebras and wildebeest,
etc.

As long as you try to deny the realities of nature, your philosophy
will remain flawed, I am sorry to say. Go back and read Origin
of Species

Isn't this just the teensiest bit precious?

What exactly is the difference, ethically, between breeding dogs for a life of slavery and breeding dogs for meat?

What is the difference between treating animals badly in Australia, and exporting them so that they can be ill-treated abroad?

The moment someone can provide me with a valid reason why we should consider that humans have the right to enslave other creatures for their own selfish emotional gratification, will be the moment you get my attention.

Until then I will continue to believe that it is all about posturing, for reasons that frankly escape me when there are so many other more obvious issues to engage with, and which will have a greater impact on our lives than exporting Fido and Spot.

Dear Nicky,

The RSPCA does the best that it can with
limited funds and staff. And, if they're
concerned about the export of our dog breeds,
there must be a case to answer for.

I think that you've summed it up rather well.
Cruelty to animals, no matter what kind
(or where) must be prevented. Period.

Perhaps buying a RSPCA 2009 Calendar, or making
a donation, for them to continue working
towards helping animals in distress would
be appropriate at this time of the year.

Thank you for bringing this disgraceful trade to our attention Nicky.

Puppy farms have been operating in Australia for years and under the most appalling conditions. During 1994, the Ballarat council advised Animal Liberation Victoria that over 1000 dogs were kept at a puppy farm though the permit only allowed for 540.

A video revealed the dogs had no bedding or kennels. Some of the dogs were sleeping in 44 gallon drums tipped on their side. The dogs were a pitiful sight. Their long coats were matted and caked in mud, their spirits were broken from years of confinement and repeated pregnancies.

RSPCA informed ALV that they had been refused entry to this property 22 times.

The fact that a politician/vet (Dr. Ron Wells) was keeping dogs in appalling conditions was big news.

April 1996 –The Age newspaper wrote a two page article on the Ballarat puppy farm. “New” allegations were made that dogs owned by Dr Wells died from starvation and disease at the former knackery in Ballarat.

Dr. Wells was exposed for using Victorian Tax payers money to further his own business interests.

Debra Tranter, ALV’s puppy farm campaigner reports: "The dogs are filthy. They are kept in dirty pens and never bathed or groomed. Their fur forms huge matting, which can be quite painful. My hands were black from patting them. It's years of build up of dirt and grime. They are very frightened dogs.”

1997. Rob Hulls (ALV) attacks Premier Jeff Kennett over his support for Dr Wells and insists he stand down as patron of RSPCA.

Yet these sick and demented animals continue to be incarcerated in shocking conditions where puppy farmers breed from them and export their puppies throughout Asia, while greedy, dehumanised politicians strut our halls of parliament.

Nicky - one must question the depths to which this nation has descended when your description “brutalised” is challenged by those with vested interests who condone appalling animal abuse. To them, animals are simply regarded as a viable commodity for humans to sadistically exploit but which part of “brutalised” do they not understand?

Examinator, I do apologise if you believe that I have ignored an earlier post of yours. Did I ever say that I condone the cruel treatment of animals in Australia? I addressed your post in terms of the breeding of deformed dogs for "aesthetic" reasons, also the giving of dogs as "gifts".

I do not remain silent to cruelty in other countries just because Australia has a shocking animal welfare record. This fight has no borders.

You're right, once an animal is dead it matters little what happens to it, but it is the manner of death (and the cruel treatment of all animals) with which I take issue.

Yabby, I have no interest in your theories of evolution, seen it all before. As I have pointed out, the Asians see no difference between eating carnivores and eating herbivores (or anything that moves or breathes, in fact); you have never been able to adequately address that one, have you?

Pericles, I also do not believe in the indiscriminate breeding of dogs for what you call 'enslavement'. But dogs have, like it or not, become domesticated creatures, and those who are here therefore are entitled to our care and protection. The two dogs I have are "rescue" dogs, and I really don't think they feel enslaved.

Dickie, that puppy farm was an absolute atrocity; I remember seeing it on the news, and I know Debra Tranter. Foxy, I am a member of the RSPCA (the only animal organisation to which I belong) and have just bought their Christmas cards (on the understanding that they are not made in China - if they are, I shall return them. Tip - if you want to buy them the National site is sold out, but you can get them through the RSPCA NSW site. The RSPCA has a long way to go, but of late it has certainly become more proactive.

Nicky