The Norwegian 'dog law'

A reaction to the so called 'Norwegian dog law', june 03. Andrea has written several letters regarding the ignorant attitude towards dogs, published in Dagbladet, ’02:

After killing wolves, the Norwegian governments suddenly decided now that also human’s best friend is a dangerous creature. A new 'dog law' has been suggested that should make it easier to kill any dog that bites, no matter what the cirumstances are. Obviously it is not the same if a dog viciously jumps at a person without warning, or if a dog merely snappes at a person to defend itself. The new law would give a person the right to kill a dog then and there. This would mean if any dog-owner would be disliked by a neighbour for example, this neighbour basically can come to his or her house, tease the dog until it bites and then he or she can just kill the dog then and there to punish the owner. The dog and dog-owner would have no rights. This is an insane witch-hunt on animals.

Dogs are not usually a threat to their environment. They are however 'domesticated wolves' and one should be aware of their hunting instincts. Dogs have to be raised properly. If a dog becomes a threat to his environment, it usually is the owner who is incapable to educate the dog, neglects the dog or even mistreats the animal. And it is the owner who should be punished for his or her irresponsibility, not the dog.

The new law also wants to kill all 'dangerous dog races'. What is this? Ethnic cleansing in the dog world? There is no such thing as a dangerous race, only dangerous indiviuals that have been treated badly. Again it is the owner who is dangerous and who should be punished, not the dog and certainly not an entire race of dogs. Only because American Staff and Staffordshire Bullterriers are very popular amongst criminals who try to make their dogs aggressive, does not mean that the dogs are 'evil creatures'. This is a myth created by the media. Again, a witch-hunt on dogs.

The new law also wishes to get rid of any dog that looks like it has a little Amstaff in it. When you look at crossbred dogs it is impossible to see which has a little Amstaff in it. It could well be a Boxer cross. Already the police has been taking away dogs from families because the families could not proof that their dog is not crossed with a Staffordshire Bullterrier. This is a mass-murder on dogs that have harmed none.

The new law also says that a puppy can be destroyed if it bites... hello... all puppies bite, this is what puppies do. They chew on hands, feets, shoes, sofas...they are babies.

If you care about animals, then please spread this news, and if you want to do something about it then send your protest to the politicians: justiskomiteen.postmottak@stortinget.no

Lets not forget who is the most dangerous and viscious animal on this planet.

Andrea Haugen (Hagalaz Runedance)