A reply from the government!

[bk_blue]

I got a reply from my state govt re: the email I wrote to them about the loophole that prevents the prosecution of people for eating dog and cat meat. It's essentially a b/s reply but I was surprised to even get one.
I reprint it for your reading pleasure:

"You recently wrote regarding a media story about the alleged intention of an individual to consume dog meat.

"The Bracks Government obviously does not support the consumption of cats and dogs. And there is no evidence to date the eating of cats and dogs is common in Victoria. The relevant authorities...have had no reports of this practice occurring.

"However given the strong community feeling on this issue, the Government will ensure the law prevents the consumption of dogs and cats.

"There are already very strict laws regarding the slaughter and sale of meat for human consumption in Victoria under the Meat Industry Act. This Act does not allow the slaughter for sale of cats and dogs.

"However the law does allow an individual to slaughter an animal for his or her own consumption providing that they do not sell or give away the meat. While you may not personally support this, it does allow farmers to use one of their own sheep or cattle to provide for the family table, or fishermen or hunters to use their catch.

"This is not intended however to allow the killing and consumption of dogs or cats.

"To make this very clear, the Bracks Government will amend the law to specifically ban the consumption of dogs and cats under any circumstances.

"I would also note that the law allows us to prosecute anyone who is cruel to cats and dogs under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

"Yours sincerely
Keith Hamilton, Minister for Agriculture."


What I don't get is why the amendment they are going to make to the Act wasn't LIKE that in the first place. :x
The other thing is that this govt is up for re-election probably before the end of the year...anything to win votes eh. At least they are going to amend it.

[Bensam]

That's great, I got an email from the Victorian Minister too but it was with an attachment that my PC cant open so sent it to my son and was waiting for him to open it and send it back, assume it was the same as you got, so one for our side. I also emailed each State with the question, was it illegal in that particular State, reply from Tasmania included a copy of their Act and their assumption that it was illegal. Had to email back and point out they had exactly the same loophole as Victoria. Reply from Western Aussie includes their Act, worded differently, would give them the power to prosecute any incidents if required. Still waiting on the other States. Also have not even had acknowledgment from our esteemed VCA, some response from the RSPCA, Vic. waiting on followup from them. The wheels turn slowly.

[Hobbit]

That is great that you even GOT a reply!

You know, something that WE take for granted or that we think is common knowledge or common sense is NOT even in the realm of some people's thinking!

Like...WE would read a law that said: A person can kill and consume meat raised on their own property as long as the meat is not sold or given to another person.

NOW...we would NEVER in a million years EVEN remotely think that it is OKAY to kill our dogs or cats and eat them. Would we?

NOW, reread the LAW --- it stated NOTHING about what kind of animal the meat can come from. It is open to ANYTHING. NOR does it say ANYTHING about HOW the meat is taken (killed, what methods are allowed to be used ... humane or otherwise barbaric). Nothing is mentioned that the person can not torture the animal first........see where this is going?

That is why it is very hard sometimes to make these rules. Because ALL the angles and insane thoughts must be taken into consideration.

[Bensam]

OK, I know I'm treading in a mine field here and I hope I can explain what I mean. I absolutely abhor the thought of anyone using pets for meat but then if you are a vegitarian the thought of using any animal is against your principals. (I'm not a veg.,enjoy a good steak any day). There are countries in which the eating of those animals we class as pets is a custom, not condoning this at all, just pointing it out. Perhaps the way to go with regards to legislation would be re the humane slaughter of any animal or bird. Even the way some farmers slaughter their sheep/cattle etc. in my mind is unneccesary cruelty. I have also read that some commercial abbitors leave a lot to be desired. So perhaps a complete overhaul of this section would be the way to go.

[ShadyLady]

Totally agree Bensam but then what is considered humane slaughter shotgun , Knife :roll: maybe this needs to be spelt out as well I dont know just curious as to other peoples thoughts :-?

[bk_blue]

It's an swful lot of legislation but might be the way to go, if every piddling little detail is defined, if it helps alleviate cruelty, then that's what should be done. I know that if I worked in an abbatoir I would turn vegetarian overnight, I had a friend who worked in their office and he didn't last very long because it was pretty gross.

I think halal killings (Muslims do this) involve the cow's throat being slit and it dying slowly while it gets blessed or something, apparently having your throat cut is not that painful? (not that I really want to find out). Conventional abbatoirs use a shotgun don't they? Anything that is quick and painless is how it should be done, what I don't like about abbatoirs or what I've read of them is the cattle lining up waiting to be shot, not wanting to anthropomorphise here but surely they must know somehow what's going to happen to them? :(

[Hobbit]

bk_blue napisał(a):

I've read of them is the cattle lining up waiting to be shot, not wanting to anthropomorphise here but surely they must know somehow what's going to happen to them? :(

bk --- I've been on plenty of kill floors, they DO know what is going on. They try to escape, but can't. The look in their eyes are heartbreaking. I will never go to another slaughter house, ever.

[Hobbit]

Mei-Mei napisał(a):

Bensam--I know about that fine line! I too don't think it's right to tell people in other countries what to eat. I understand that in some cultures they think it's totally disgusting that we eat eggs because eggs hold the core of life.

I don't know how they would define 'humane killing.' In Korea some people eat dogs, a practice which most of the world abhors. In my opinion you can't tell them not to eat dogs, but there should be a way to legislate how the dogs are treated and finally killed. I know how nasty this all sounds... :-?

I agree with you guys.......


In my Native American opinion....treat the animal with respect before, during and after you take its life. Thank the animal for the nourishment that it gives you. The asian culture have no respect for food or the manner in which they kill it.

[Bensam]

[quote] Definately words of wisdom, Hobbit. This subject is quickly climbing into the 'too hard' basket. I think we are all going along the same thinking road. I guess we can only keep lobbying those in power. Sometimes we can make a difference. Our Government here in Victoria appear to have listened, just have to wait for the action. Have emailed the Minister with the suggestion that the Department could let me know how the legislation change is progressing (or I'll pester the h..l out of them, threats, promises?) Some of the other States have replied and I'm keeping in touch with them. So who knows, a river starts with a raindrop!.
(Drat, tried to put your last sentence in as a quote, Hobbit, but being me didn't appear to work when I looked at the preview, you know what I mean)

[bk_blue]

Yeah Mei-Mei I completely understand where you're coming from, I also feel that telling other countries or even other people what not to eat is wrong. What I DON'T like is that all too often the animals being killed for human consumption are not treated with the humanity and respect they deserve. :x We should be more like the Native Americans Hobbit mentioned, how logistically impossible is it when there are some shelters that gas pets instead of lethal injection, let alone an abbatoir taking the time to consider the feelings of cattle/sheep/pigs etc. But oh how nice it would be.

BTW am still trying to do my research on the gardener!