Should it be illegal to breed Dogs that it has been proven are prone to debilitating and sometimes fatal health issues?
German lawmakers are considering legislation that “seeks to strengthen
existing laws on so-called "torture breeding.’” If passed, the law would
“ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular problems, such as the
frequent spinal issues seen in dogs with short legs and a long back.” Not
surprisingly, breeders and groups that profit from dogs, like the German
Kennel Club, are fighting the draft law. Germany is not the only one going
after the exploitative breeding industry.
New Hampshire lawmakers debated a bill “to ban the breeding of dogs with
known breathing issues.” The American Kennel Club is similarly fighting that
bill. They claim there is no evidence that these physical attributes lead to
suffering. This is untrue, and they know it (or ought to).
For example, a Norwegian court ruled that the selective breeding of bulldogs
and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels violates animal welfare laws protecting
animals and is illegal:
"Structurally flattened faces are associated with numerous health problems
with varying degrees of severity, including brachycephalic obstructive
airway syndrome (BOAS). The condition, as its name suggests, causes
breathing difficulties and is associated with exhaustion, overheating,
regurgitation, sleep apnea and collapse. Snuffling and snoring, considered
by some as an endearing characteristic of brachycephalic breeds, can be a
sign they are struggling for oxygen…"
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