[ SHOWGSD-L ] A Gathering Storm by Dr. Carmen Battaglia --Don't miss this o...

  • From: RihadinK9@xxxxxxx
  • To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 19:33:36 EDT

http://www.caninechronicle.com/Features/Battaglia_06/battaglia_506.html 
A Gathering Storm by Carmen Battaglia.
EXCERPTED--

"...Storms in a sport, like those in society, are always risky because they
usually bring with them unwanted damage. What has gone unnoticed about this
storm is how the animal rights movement has used a series of undefined
labels to drive the winds that have already altered and changed the dog
world. Until now, most of these changes have gathered little national
interest. Now, however, through the use of well-crafted labels, they are
able to describe a person, thing or event in either a positive or negative
light. Over the years they have learned how to use the power of the
undefined label to capture the interests and attention of the public, the
clubs and the breeders..."

And "...In the past, it was only the like-minded groups within the animal
rights movement that were able to function as change agents. In the
beginning they were forced to use negative incentives and the courts to push
their agendas. But over the past 20 years they have effectively learned how
to use legislation and the courts and the breeders to introduce new changes
in zoning, ownership, breeding rights, care and conditions etc. Typically
they use the argument of "raising the bar". Sometimes they call it "raising
the standard". Today, when the term "puppy mill" is used, it quickly arouses
a negative and emotional response. More importantly, it demonstrates how one
undefined label in the hands of a determined group can manipulate the
masses....

"From the beginning, their goal was to control, limit and reduce the
ownership and breeding rights of the breeders and those who exhibit purebred
dogs. Thus far, they have successfully done both. What is best known about
their efforts is the ripple effect they are having on the gene pools of many
breeds. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of this new label. The
cumulative effects they are having on registrations cannot be ignored.
Related to this problem is the impact they are having on the gene pools of
the 35 breeds listed in Table 1. The unintended and cumulative consequence
of their efforts continues to gather momentum only because there is
acceptance without understanding. What must be learned from these
experiences is that most of the undefined labels are used to suggest
something good. Later they are used to fit an agenda that will produce a
negative effect. The most dangerous part of the process is how well they are
able to reach beyond the obvious. In the early stages of acceptance, the
critic groups remain in the background preparing to use the courts as
opportunities present themselves. With this infrastructure in place, the
animal rights groups are able to extend their reach. Their success can now
be measured through declining registrations and the numbers of pups being
sold on limited registrations or on spay/neuter contracts. The "responsible
breeder" label is the vehicle being used to establish a new kind of
husbandry, one that will eventually be guided by new, tougher quantitative
standards. During the initial stages of implementation, their strategy only
whispers about a better way. They do this by painting a picture of something
that is good for everyone. At the center of their storm is the attention
they are giving to DNA technology and health certifications which most
breeders and their clubs endorse. In their words, a "responsible breeder" is
expected to screen and test all of their stock before breeding. This idea
sounds great on the surface but this is only the first step. As the breeders
and their clubs continue to embrace this label, the animal rights activist
slowly begins to lobby for the required use of both DNA and health
screening. This follow-up step is called "raising the bar". It is unfolding
one step at a time. We already have heard their voices asking that more
testing be used on breeding stock. Next they will push for testing as a
condition of breeding and then as a condition to register breeding stock and
their pups. In some quarters, they already are asking that it become a
condition for entry in some AKC venues. As the popularity of the
"responsible breeder" spreads, they will attempt to further extend their
reach into the AKC stud book and the registration system. To this end, the
change agents and their critic groups have already taken the first step by
raising the level of awareness. Some believe they are ahead of schedule.
What is so interesting is how well the breeders have accepted their ideas."

Ginger Cleary
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from 
opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will 
reach himself.  ~Thomas Paine
Rome, GA http://www.rihadin.com/ 


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