NationStates Jolt Archive

From the BBC: Social worker bitten by rabid dog (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7368808.stm)

The main thing that stood out to me from this story is where it says:


A social worker, who runs a charity that brings street dogs from Sri Lanka into the UK, was one of three people bitten by a puppy infected with rabies.
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The puppy was one of five brought by the charity to quarantine kennels in Chingford, north-east London.



It got me wondering whether I'm just a heartless bastard or is this actually taking compassion a bit far, picking up stray dogs in other parts of the world and bringing them home with you?

i can see no good reason to be bringing in stray dogs from sri lanka.

and i dont see any reason to call a worker at a dog kennel a social worker.

Yeah... You don't need to bring the dogs half-way around the world...

From the BBC: Social worker bitten by rabid dog (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7368808.stm)

The main thing that stood out to me from this story is where it says:




It got me wondering whether I'm just a heartless bastard or is this actually taking compassion a bit far, picking up stray dogs in other parts of the world and bringing them home with you?

What do you expect them to do with their time and money? Feed the hungry? Provide afterschool programs to poor children? Read to the elderly and infirmed? Booooring! :p

that's like compassion misfiring. i wonder what the cost per dog is?

What do you expect them to do with their time and money? Feed the hungry? Provide afterschool programs to poor children? Read to the elderly and infirmed? Booooring! :p

Ah bah, the hungry can feed off of our garbage, drugs, gangs and sex ARE afterschool programs, and if God wanted the elderly and infirmed to read, then he would've cure their eyesight problems and make them unfirmned! :p :D

If at any point you thought I was serious, then you're an idiot.:)

I do think that compassion should be extended to strays, but...

-I agree that human needs take priority

-There HAS to be something more efficient than bringing them to the UK...(coughNEUTERcoughhack)

-This kind of goes hand-in-hand with efficiency and human needs: more precautions need to be taken. Surely they're wearing gloves or SOMETHING, prevalent and scary as rabies is, but if so many people were bitten, there has to at least be a kink in this system. o.o; And...>.< Wait...am I mistaken, or is rabies incurable in animals...? Why...would they have a quarantine kennel just for doomed animals...?

Eh. Perhaps I'm wrong. ^^; Just my (more than) two cents...

I do think that compassion should be extended to strays, but...

-I agree that human needs take priority

-There HAS to be something more efficient than bringing them to the UK...(coughNEUTERcoughhack)

-This kind of goes hand-in-hand with efficiency and human needs: more precautions need to be taken. Surely they're wearing gloves or SOMETHING, prevalent and scary as rabies is, but if so many people were bitten, there has to at least be a kink in this system. o.o; And...>.< Wait...am I mistaken, or is rabies incurable in animals...? Why...would they have a quarantine kennel just for doomed animals...?

Eh. Perhaps I'm wrong. ^^; Just my (more than) two cents...

whenever you import an animal into another country it is quarantined for a certain amount of time (decided by law) to make sure it doesnt have RABIES.

so the system worked even though it is intended for people bringing their pets into the country--very small chance of rabies--rather than bringing in strays off the streets of sri lanka. they probably should have taken more precautions because of the kind of dogs they were dealing with.

Well, it is sure noble to care about suffering animals, but I have to agree that this kind of action is weired.

I on one hand wouldn't call this guy a social worker either and on the othe hand belive to be the money much better spend, if they'd use it for neutering those stray dogs instead of sending them around half the world.
This would much more efficiently help those animals.

Rabies is a nasty disease, and I gather that the treatment is far too expensive and time consuming for people in Sri Lanka to afford. Especially for random stray dogs they happen upon.
Fourtunatly, the cure works quite nicely for people.

Still, very scary disease. If anything inspired the solanum virus, this'd probably be it.

What do you expect them to do with their time and money? Feed the hungry? Provide afterschool programs to poor children? Read to the elderly and infirmed? Booooring! :p

ya'know... in some countries, dogs are on the menu...

so maybe they were planning on feeding the hungery... :p

ya'know... in some countries, dogs are on the menu...

so maybe they were planning on feeding the hungery... :p

Mmmm...rabies soup! Brimming with frothy goodness!

Fourtunatly, the cure works quite nicely for people.


Yeah, but the shots hurt like a bitch. Don't ask.

It probably is taking it a bit too far, considering there are enough animal welfare problems in the UK without importing them from abroad, if the RSPCA is to be believed.

It might well have been time (and money) better spent to focus on any human tragedies in Sri Lanka before looking at animal ones.

From the BBC: Social worker bitten by rabid dog (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7368808.stm)

The main thing that stood out to me from this story is where it says:

It got me wondering whether I'm just a heartless bastard or is this actually taking compassion a bit far, picking up stray dogs in other parts of the world and bringing them home with you?

Wow! I didn't realize the UK had a shortage of stray dogs and had to import them. Hey, maybe we should send you some of ours. We seem to have an abundance of them for one reason or another. Mostly people who are not willing to get their pets spayed or neutered. :(

Mmmm...rabies soup! Brimming with frothy goodness!

Shhhh... that's the secret ingredient! :D

It probably is taking it a bit too far, considering there are enough animal welfare problems in the UK without importing them from abroad, if the RSPCA is to be believed.

It might well have been time (and money) better spent to focus on any human tragedies in Sri Lanka before looking at animal ones.

even as animal charities go its a huge waste of money. focusing on animal tragedies in sri lanka and working on them there might actually help. importing a few puppies wont.

I do think that compassion should be extended to strays, but...

-I agree that human needs take priority

-There HAS to be something more efficient than bringing them to the UK...(coughNEUTERcoughhack)

-This kind of goes hand-in-hand with efficiency and human needs: more precautions need to be taken. Surely they're wearing gloves or SOMETHING, prevalent and scary as rabies is, but if so many people were bitten, there has to at least be a kink in this system. o.o; And...>.< Wait...am I mistaken, or is rabies incurable in animals...? Why...would they have a quarantine kennel just for doomed animals...?

Eh. Perhaps I'm wrong. ^^; Just my (more than) two cents...

Problem solved, feed stray dogs to the hungry. :eek:

Rabies is a nasty disease, and I gather that the treatment is far too expensive and time consuming for people in Sri Lanka to afford. Especially for random stray dogs they happen upon.
I expect that the "Shoot it till it's dead"-method is probably the first, and only, way that most people would treat a rabid stray.
It isn't nice, but at least it's better for the dog than an extended period of disease and suffering.

I don't understand why people don't use stray dogs as fish/shark bait. they do so well in that capacity.

and i dont see any reason to call a worker at a dog kennel a social worker.

The social worker was actually the person who runs the charity so they aren't a kennel worker.

Glad it's not just me that thinks this charity's modus operandi is incredibly inefficient and misguided though.

This reminds me of how sickened I am by the "adopt a dog from a shelter" commercials I keep seeing on tv modeled exactly after the "adopt a starving child in Africa" commercials. Even with the fucking sad music.

It got me wondering whether I'm just a heartless bastard or is this actually taking compassion a bit far, picking up stray dogs in other parts of the world and bringing them home with you?

I think so.

I won't needlessly kill any animal, but sentimentality towards certain species and complete indifference to others (dogs vs. sheep) rather sickens me.

Something like TWENTY PERCENT OF SRI LANKAN PEOPLE are undernourished, and these twerps think of the poor little puppies? Honestly, what are they thinking?

If the dogs are really suffering, shoot them. I think my compassion just broke ...

Wow! I didn't realize the UK had a shortage of stray dogs and had to import them. Hey, maybe we should send you some of ours. We seem to have an abundance of them for one reason or another. Mostly people who are not willing to get their pets spayed or neutered. :(

We sure do have an abundance, I work at an animal shelter, and no matter how many we adopt out, the kennel fills up again within a week. It is sad to see so many great dogs cooped up like this! :(

So, UK, do you want some of our dogs? Each adoption is 115 bucks, which includes spaying/neuterings, shots, and a bag of food!

I'd be more than happy to take a dog out and show it to you...

/end customer service mode...

:D

I don't understand why people don't use stray dogs as fish/shark bait. they do so well in that capacity.

*back hands greed and death across the face*

Because they are dogs, man's best friend, the animals that have walked by our side for 15,000+ years! Creatures that protect us, help us, work for us, and love us.

They are not trash to be thrown away when no longer wanted or convenient!

This reminds me of how sickened I am by the "adopt a dog from a shelter" commercials I keep seeing on tv modeled exactly after the "adopt a starving child in Africa" commercials. Even with the fucking sad music.

I concur entirely.

Every time I see one of those emotive adverts talking about animal cruelty towards sweet little kittens in your mostly white developed country asking you to give money to help them I feel so angry.

Yes, animal cruelty is a bad thing but HOW ON EARTH can ANYONE justify giving money to animal cruelty charities when there are ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS starving in huge numbers all over the world?

I remember back in year eight when a couple of girls in my class were running an assembly on animal cruelty and handing out leaflets and everything (also doing a powerpoint with pictures of cute rabbits being griefed). I went up to them afterwards and asked them if they'd heard the whole Nestle thing, about how they provide free powdered milk to third world hospitals so that as soon as the baby is born it drinks that and thus can't suckle properly and can't go back to breastmilk, and then when the family leaves hospital they have to buy Nestle's powdered milk themselves which can cost 60% of the family's income, plus the water in those countries is so unsanitised that it provides huge health risks to the baby, plus the baby can't recieve antibodies from its mother's breastmilk to fight infections. Oh yeah and Nestle put up propaganda posters in third world maternity wards saying how powdered milk is healthier for the baby. Anyway I told these two girls about this and asked them if they would be interested in doing something to promote awarenes of this and they just looked at me blankly and said "Oh no...we only do the animal stuff".

It makes me so angry that some well-off bourgeoisie idiots would rather sponsor a horse, or send money to a charity that protects rabbits from cruueelty rather than...for fuck's sake! It's a human being's life! And you'd rather give money to help cute kitty cats because, let's be honest, a kitten with big eyes and a battered ear is much cuter than a starving African child!

When I think about how much as little as five pounds could help actual people who are starving or dying of poverty, and then hear about people sending money to help horses, or leaving massive inheritances to their cats...it makes me want to cry.

i would bring it home
but i wouldnt let anyone touch it before i got it to the vets office it and if i knew pwople were getting rabies from those bites i would say astlavista and take it to the pound so they can put it out of its missory

From the BBC: Social worker bitten by rabid dog (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7368808.stm)

The main thing that stood out to me from this story is where it says:




It got me wondering whether I'm just a heartless bastard or is this actually taking compassion a bit far, picking up stray dogs in other parts of the world and bringing them home with you?

If they're trying to take the dogs because they're concerned for the dogs' welfare then that's just plain obscene.

If they're trying to keep the dog population down for the sake of the people then neutering would work far more efficiently than exporting them to other countries. Or better yet, why not just kill the excess dogs for food? There are starving people and excess dogs. You do the maths.

*snip for ickiness*

Because they are dogs, man's best friend, the animals that have walked by our side for 15,000+ years! Creatures that protect us, help us, work for us, and love us.

Yes, if you opt in to that. IF you have a dog to protect you. IF you need the help of a dog (eg guide dog). IF you need to round up sheep. IF you are so starving for love that you let such a relationship develop.

But I should feel compassion not just for a dog I know, but for dogs long dead? That's just weird.

They are not trash to be thrown away when no longer wanted or convenient!

Mmm, kinda agree with that. Taking on a dog is a responsibility, and if your new carpet is more important to you than "your" dog, it's your responsibility to find it a good home.

Or kill it yourself. No, I'm not joking.

I concur entirely.

Every time I see one of those emotive adverts talking about animal cruelty towards sweet little kittens in your mostly white developed country asking you to give money to help them I feel so angry.

Yes, animal cruelty is a bad thing but HOW ON EARTH can ANYONE justify giving money to animal cruelty charities when there are ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS starving in huge numbers all over the world?

I remember back in year eight when a couple of girls in my class were running an assembly on animal cruelty and handing out leaflets and everything (also doing a powerpoint with pictures of cute rabbits being griefed). I went up to them afterwards and asked them if they'd heard the whole Nestle thing, about how they provide free powdered milk to third world hospitals so that as soon as the baby is born it drinks that and thus can't suckle properly and can't go back to breastmilk, and then when the family leaves hospital they have to buy Nestle's powdered milk themselves which can cost 60% of the family's income, plus the water in those countries is so unsanitised that it provides huge health risks to the baby, plus the baby can't recieve antibodies from its mother's breastmilk to fight infections. Oh yeah and Nestle put up propaganda posters in third world maternity wards saying how powdered milk is healthier for the baby. Anyway I told these two girls about this and asked them if they would be interested in doing something to promote awarenes of this and they just looked at me blankly and said "Oh no...we only do the animal stuff".

It makes me so angry that some well-off bourgeoisie idiots would rather sponsor a horse, or send money to a charity that protects rabbits from cruueelty rather than...for fuck's sake! It's a human being's life! And you'd rather give money to help cute kitty cats because, let's be honest, a kitten with big eyes and a battered ear is much cuter than a starving African child!

When I think about how much as little as five pounds could help actual people who are starving or dying of poverty, and then hear about people sending money to help horses, or leaving massive inheritances to their cats...it makes me want to cry.

Though I'm a total hypocrite: I own a cat, I spend money on it's food.

I guess it is up to the individual where they draw the line. I just don't know.

Though I'm a total hypocrite: I own a cat, I spend money on it's food.

That's not totally hypocritical. A pet could be seen as rendering a service to the "owner" and the food as pay.

I guess it is up to the individual where they draw the line. I just don't know.

I'd consider owning a pet, though it would have to be a vegetarian beast.

That's not totally hypocritical. A pet could be seen as rendering a service to the "owner" and the food as pay.*nods* cats lower blood pressure, dogs give excercise, pets in general give companionship... all adequate payment for food and litter service... :p



I'd consider owning a pet, though it would have to be a vegetarian beast.Guinea Pigs are fun! :p

I had a couple of those little Tribble wannabe's and they are loads of fun.

I concur entirely.

Every time I see one of those emotive adverts talking about animal cruelty towards sweet little kittens in your mostly white developed country asking you to give money to help them I feel so angry.

Yes, animal cruelty is a bad thing but HOW ON EARTH can ANYONE justify giving money to animal cruelty charities when there are ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS starving in huge numbers all over the world?
I wouldn't be so pissed off if they wern't copying the formula for the "help starving children overseas" commercials part for part. Same sad image slideshow, same sad music, same emotional plea. Makes me fucking sick they are ripping that off to try and get money for shelter animals.

*nods* cats lower blood pressure, dogs give exercise, pets in general give companionship... all adequate payment for food and litter service... :p

Well, dogs give exercise for those who bother to walk them.

I think it's rather cruel not to walk a dog. A few breeds can do without the exercise and the social opportunity (eg lapdogs) but even then.

Guinea Pigs are fun! :p

I had a couple of those little Tribble wannabe's and they are loads of fun.

My neighbour has chickens, I like them a lot. They'll eat just about anything (including snails!), they make happy noises and are funny, and well the obvious thing.

I don't see why people get so het up about what charities people choose to give their money to, surely it's their money and therefore their choice.

That said, to bring dogs over from Sri Lanka is just stupid. There's absolutely no point to it, as said before it solves nothing that a neutering scheme wouldn't. As for the potential for them bringing dogs into the country for the purposes of homing them, there are enough strays as it is without importing those from another country.

As for the adverts, any and all charities compete for effectively the same donations. They are all after peoples' money and those who run the ads presumably think that their cause is as valid as any other. So they copy the ads because they are effective at getting people to part with their money. I personally dislike all of the adverts because they rely on guilting people into giving money, even when they have nothing spare to give.

I can already predict the kind of response that this will bring.

I think it's rather cruel not to walk a dog. A few breeds can do without the exercise and the social opportunity (eg lapdogs) but even then. hence why I'm a cat person.

My neighbour has chickens, I like them a lot. They'll eat just about anything (including snails!), they make happy noises and are funny, and well the obvious thing.
my old neighbor had a guard goose. Funny to watch... but a real bitch when riled up!

What an enormous waste of time and money.

I know someone who rehabilitates "vicious" dogs. He gets them from the kennel and sells them to new owners when they become emotionally well adjusted. This is his hobby. Anyone who looks down on someone like this who is compassionate enough to spend their free time saving animals is a moron.

It's important to note that this guy actually knows what he is doing though. If you pick up a random rabid puppy I think it's safe to say you don't know what you're doing.

I don't see why people get so het up about what charities people choose to give their money to, surely it's their money and therefore their choice.


Yup indeed it is your choice [to contribute to a charity] and what you do with you money is your business. This just seems like a bit of a waste and being bitten by a rabid dog for doing it gets some bonus points on the irony meter.

I know someone who rehabilitates "vicious" dogs. He gets them from the kennel and sells them to new owners when they become emotionally well adjusted. This is his hobby.

It's a hobby if the "selling" part of that doesn't cover his costs. Otherwise it's paid work (though perhaps for a very small wage.) Just a quibble.

I don't really have a problem with what that guy does, though I'd say he wants to be sure he's insured. Could be a nasty lawsuit there, particularly if he has no qualifications or isn't fully disclosing the history of the dog when he passes it along.

Anyone who looks down on someone like this who is compassionate enough to spend their free time saving animals is a moron.

Yeah, that's always a good way to strengthen your point. Call anyone who disagrees a moron.

It's important to note that this guy actually knows what he is doing though. If you pick up a random rabid puppy I think it's safe to say you don't know what you're doing.

Which, you know, sounds rather close to calling the woman a moron.

What do you expect them to do with their time and money? Feed the hungry? Provide afterschool programs to poor children? Read to the elderly and infirmed? Booooring! :p
You forgot to mention: Use all that money transporting them back to look after all the stray dogs that are already living in the UK.