Psychologists agree that one of the best ways to maintain mental health is to invest in a dog or a cat as an interest or a companion. The old and those living alone find this shared companionship both uplifting and with a sense of purpose that is otherwise missing. Unfortunately, the number of homes that do not have a "house pet " increases each year.
The rules the authorities impose on pet ownership are increasingly harsh and in many cases seem determined to reduce the numbers. Council registration fees increase annually and there is a marked price difference if the animal has not been neutered. It is the stated intention of most councils to entirely eliminate un-neutered domestic animals other than those held by registered breeders.
It used to be a daily pleasure to take the family dog for a walk but draconian rules now apply. The animal must be leashed at all times and any droppings are the responsibility of the owner to cleanup immediately. They are not allowed top run free in any park or reserve and what off leash areas exist are usually in far remote areas, difficult to reach. Such animals are not allowed to be taken on public transport or in taxis.
Laws are now in place to regulate the carrying of dogs in cars, and they are similar to the restraints required for infants. The driver can be heavily fined and lose demerit points if a dog is not wearing what is essentially a canine seat belt - and is belted up any time the vehicle is moving. A dog can not longer sit in a passengers lap, or recline on the back seat - and the council rangers are unforgiving in allocating fines.
Of course cats are not subject to any of these laws, but they do decimate garden birds when they indulge their hunting habits. Neighbours complain about cats scavenging in their gardens and as they are prolific breeders, those with cats that have not been neutered have a problem disposing of unwanted litters of kittens. The body corporate of many unit blocks forbids the keeping of all and any animals in the building.
In the eyes of both the government and councils all dogs are regarded as " dangerous animals " and the same rules apply to a tiny little " Wuffler " as apply to a huge Bull Terrier trained as a pig hunter. An unsympathetic neighbour may constantly complain about noise problems or the fencing quality to keep the dog contained. Some people claim that all dogs make then fearful.
Body Corporate laws relating to pets in high rise units are being relaxed to make pet ownership harder for fanatical opponents to forbid. New restrictions are coming into place to close down " puppy farms " where backyard breeders flood constant litters through pet shops to make money. In future, the only source of pups may be to buy with a pedigree at at premium price from a registered breeder, or accept a desexed stray from the RSPCA pound.
Government and councils could help to promote companion dogs by a law change that affects dog definitions - by size or weight. There seems no reason why a tiny little dog weighing half a kilo could not sit in a passengers lap nor need to be belted in, but that such restraint would apply to a large dogs such as a German Shepherd or a Labrador. A similar distinction would be helpful in allowing very small dogs to be freely exercised in parks and reserves.
One health problem involves the difficulty in getting people to exercise to avoid obesity. Taking a dog for a daily walk would be one way of finding a solution to that problem, and mental health would be improved by the companionship given to the lonely. We need new thinking to recognise that the present "one size fits all " approach to dog ownership misses the mark !
No comments:
Post a Comment