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No dogs culled in Ibaraki Prefecture, but issues remain

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Sounds like the owner was a bit of a tosser?

Nice.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A Tosa as a pet?

Sounds like the owner was a bit of a tosser?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I love dogs.

I remember reading there are some places in the US where insurance won’t cover households with breeds such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers or Dobermans. These breeds can attract idiots ( Cleo is very clearly not in that category ).

But not all big breeds are inherently dangerous

Size comes into it but capacity for inflicting injury is perhaps more of an issue. A Pitbull isn’t a particularly large breed but is more than capable of inflicting terrible injuries or killing and the stats are very disturbing.

Good training is the key but some idiots try to turn their dogs into loaded weapons and many others simply don’t even know what good training entails.

I think there is a case to be made for strictly limiting ownership of the more potentially dangerous breeds. Of course all dogs can inflict injuries ( my favourites, Jack Russells, are boisterous and powerful for their size ), but I remember reading about an elderly woman in Japan who was savaged and killed by someone’s pet Tosa.

A Tosa as a pet?

That all said, hating dogs is silly.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

JTC, I’m sorry you have such a poor view of dogs and dog owners. It seems you have been unfortunate enough to have more than your share of bad experiences.

I suspect "owning" a big dog is more of a statement to hide one's own insecurity than an actual desire, and those whom I've seen with such dogs, are sadly lacking in their ability to control them

It’s true that some large breeds have a reputation, and a certain kind of person tends to be attracted to those breeds for that reason: they use the animal to intimidate others and, they imagine, make themselves appear tough. And as you note, they simply make their own insecurity apparent for all to see.

But not all big breeds are inherently dangerous, or vicious or uncontrollable, in fact I have often found them to be more stable than the little yappy breeds. One reason, I feel, is that people who choose small breeds often do so because they imagine a little dog will be easy to handle and not require much training, while those who take on a larger breed do so with the understanding that proper training is essential.

Personally I prefer larger breeds because, apart from there being more dog to hug, I find them more intelligent and easier to train than smaller breeds. I have lived with border collies, retrievers, German shepherds and Dobermanns and not a one of them was ever a danger to anyone, not a one of them ever needed to be restrained with a ‘big rope’. I could never have controlled any of them with physical force, but responsible training meant that my voice was enough.

Perhaps it’s not dogs you hate so much as irresponsible dog owners?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I have never met a dog I didn't like.

People I can take or leave, but a world without dogs is not a place I want to live in.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They will change your life forever and for the better. 

Mine did.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I hate dogs. (Sorry if that offends, but that is the honest truth ), so please bear that in mind with the below.

A number of "Large Dog" breeds are dangerous Animals, I really do not understand why people wish to have them as "pets" - especially around young Children. Just look at the number of attacks in the UK upon young Children... (the UK reports these in the press these days, unlike before....)

The desire to have smaller dog breeds, as pets, is understandable, and.. (tolerable), assuming responsible care is taken of them.

As for Cats - the same applies. Though it it is extremely rare to find someone with a real "Big Cat" i.e. Lion/Tiger/Panther/Leopard, Jaguar, etc. as a Pet...

If someone is allowed to own a "Rottweiler", then why not another be allowed to "own" a Jaguar... (equal weight rating)... and similarly to other big aggressive Dogs.

I suspect "owning" a big dog is more of a statement to hide one's own insecurity than an actual desire, and those whom I've seen with such dogs, are sadly lacking in their ability to control them. (Big rope + small grip strength of handler).

Pet ownership should, in some cases, have a license associated with it.

A sub-licensed category for things such as Goldfish, a licensed category for things such as Piranhas...

You can draw the parallel to big dogs/big cats...

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

People living in apartments should not own dogs neither cats, and the ones who own animals they should pay extra tax for dog parks and cleaning the street walks too.

Sigh. That is harsh. Learn to love a nice sweet doggie. They will change your life forever and for the better. Responsible pet ownership means carrying a poo bag and using it. Cats naturally use a litter box so no worries there. My brother in law in Shanghai has his dog trained to go on a pad on their balcony.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

People living in apartments should not own dogs neither cats, and the ones who own animals they should pay extra tax for dog parks and cleaning the street walks too.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Cull, if really necessary, for sanitary and safety reasons lWhy on Earth a country would apply the death penalty and don´t cull impossible to adopt animals !)

Where I live dogs that prove impossible to adopt are sent to dog rescue organizations who take care of them along with other such dogs in a group setting.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Dogs are a man’s best friend.

Yes they are !

a woman is a man's friend.

Uh, no. At least not most of the time.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Beastmode Should it be the other way around because women sometimes call men dogs!! Funny I am just adding some humor here I hope I don't get censored but....

Dogs are a man’s best friend.

a woman is a man's friend.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The Avenger

*Dogs are a man’s best friend.*

Could not be more true statement. I like dogs better than most people. Lol.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If you are in Tokyo or Osaka and want to adopt a pet, get in touch with ARK.

https://www.arkbark.net/en/adopt/

They fixed me up with my best friend six years ago, and although we're both getting long in the tooth now, I can't imagine life without him.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

A note on cost - this was 15 years ago and I imagine that price depends upon the locale so you know - grain of salt, but Odie was 33,000 JPY including neutering and shots.

So merely from a price perspective it was a winner in addition to giving a needing dog a home and giving my family 11 years of joy and a lifetime of memories.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Instead of building another one hundred bridges, tunnels, and tetrapods a year all over the place, I'd rather have my tax money go to building giant dog farms for those poor abandoned critters.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

There are different kinds of animal shelters. Some run by the government but most are nonprofit organizations that depend on donations to operate and survive. Some of the donations come from private individuals or larger organizations such as the SPCA.

Education and advocacy are critical to setup proper nonprofit organizations and advise people before buying a pet. Seems many Japanese NPO shelters have poor conditions due to lack of funds and the numbers of abandoned pets and animals continue to increase.

Perhaps a large central organization like the SPCA is needed in Japan. Maybe there is one? I haven't heard of it. It's not as if there aren't examples of how to do this. The SPCA was established in London in 1824.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Adopt, even an animal which seems in poor condition. An animal is a living creature and best friends need affection to feel better.

Spay and neuter on first rule. Government should subsidize heavily those services in the general population first.

Educate your animal, who is not a commodity.

Cull, if really necessary, for sanitary and safety reasons lWhy on Earth a country would apply the death penalty and don´t cull impossible to adopt animals !)

Consider the future for your animal, who shall be taken care of after one dies. Don´t be egotistical or hypocritical (that is why children said to my mother ok for a cat, no for a dog).

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Many "dogs" in Japan are treated as toys or fashion accessories. I certainly wouldn't miss any of those tiny, inbred yapping things carried in bags on the train.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Don't buy, adopt."

Yes.

many farmers had allowed their dogs to roam and breed freely, 

that sounds like an issue

Eh, sounds to me like a farm dog."

Spay and neuter your pets and there are much fewer problems. They are much less aggro when they don't have all those hormones and they cannot breed.

You make a valid point.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Many years ago, my daughter was having some problems and we thought a dog might help her feel better (never imagined I could be so right about anything but that’s a different story.) Apart from the issues of puppy mills, the dogs at the shops cost more than my first (admittedly rust bucket of a) car.

We happened to pass by a meet and greet outside Seibu in Shinjuku. And there we met Odie. “Dad can we adopt him?” “No babe, this dog is too big (20kg. I like big dogs but in our condo I was looking for a smaller dog). But we can go to the adoption center.

Man, that was a sad sack group of dogs. Dogs with 3 legs. Dogs with heart problems. Sibling dogs that freaked if separated. Odie was the only young healthy dog they had. A Kaiken-plotts hound mix.

Long story short, in a lifetime of dogs, Odie was easily the best dog ever. Loved kids. Loved dogs. Loved to run. Loved to curl up. Just the greatest dog ever. The day we had to put him to sleep, I cried, the kids cried. The Vet cried. The nurses cried. I still miss him.

Rescue dogs are definitely the way to go. But it can be tough to find a good one and sometimes the rules to let one adopt are overly strict.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The Avenger

Dogs are a man’s best friend.

Usually

Beastmode

a woman is a man's friend.

Occasionally

2 ( +5 / -3 )

EDUCATION. That is the key. Let people know about the horrible conditions that dogs face in puppy farms/mills, and in the retail shops they end up in.

And, promote rescue and adoption. A big way to do that is to ban the sale of cats and dogs in retail shops, like what has been done in may US jurisdictions, where pet adoption is quite popular.

They government animal control agencies should be using the Japan Ad Council to promote adoption, as well as spay/neuter.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

After we lost our Golden, we too were looking to rescue/adopt, rather than buy, another Golden. We still had our wonderful little mixed dog. But, we missed having a big dog, and specifically a Golden. But, all of the rescue groups we contacted had ridiculous rules for adoptees, one of which was an age limit, of which we were over.

Luckily, we found one that didn't have such a stupid rule. And, since our homes and lifestyle are better for a dog than many in Japan, the rescue person was happy to let us adopt a beautiful adult Golden from her, despite our so-called "senior" status. We are happy to have found her group, and will probably contact her again, when it's time for another adoption.

So, it is possible, with patience and perseverance, to find a rescue organization that will cater to pensioners.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Don't buy, adopt.

I agree, but it’s sometimes easier said than done. A friend who lost her previous dog to old age last year spent months contacting shelters and pet rescue groups, only to be turned down by every single one on account of the fact that she and her husband are both pensioners. She ended up buying from a pet shop, the only alternative she could see to spending the rest of her life dogless.

*Dogs are a man’s best friend*

And a woman’s.

We lost our beautiful Dobie to sudden unexpected illness this summer. I’m still in the grieving stage, but at some point I imagine I will be looking for another rescue. Perhaps Ibaraki will allow me to adopt.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The only way one should be able to get a pet should be through an friend or acquaintance giving them away to a good home, or through an animal shelterm at no cost. Pets should not be traded as commodities.

In theory I agree, but there is a place for "pure" bred dogs in the world too! The JKA and other official and licensed breeders, do a fantastic job in breeding wonderful dogs. It is not a cheap undertaking either, BUT they love their animals and protect them and it's understandable the costs incurred, get passed along to the buyers, who are often, if not always, vetted as well, prior to being allowed to take the animals home.

That being said, not everyone can afford the costs, and if they want a dog, there are plenty of others available , but keep in mind, it costs money to take care of a dog, or any pet for that matter. Vaccinations, check-ups, food, and other associated costs, add up, and public money is not available to assist, so it has to be on the person(s) adopting to cover, in many cases too!

I have a mixed breed dog, love him to death, took him from unbelievably horrific conditions when he was about 6 months old. He has, and always be, a member of my family, for however long he lives.

Oh and on your comment about "giving" away. That "friend or acquaintance" shouldn't have a dog in the first place if they have had their animal spayed or neutered when got them in the first place!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Wow. Great job  Ibaraki Prefecture.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In some countries, there are no pet shops. Every been to a pet shop in Japan? Appalling conditions with the animals all perfectly spruced up, in little cages or behind glass walls, with staff trying to convince customers to buy them by telling buyers that the animal is good with children etc, through appeal to emotion. Meanwhile the animals have an empty look in their eyes.... Animals are NOT objects so what happens when the owner gets sick of their 400,000 yen animal living with them in their tiny little house and actually discover its more than an object and needs full time and exercise, etc? They dump them, and they end up in an animal shelter where they are murdered after a few weeks.

The only way one should be able to get a pet should be through an friend or acquaintance giving them away to a good home, or through an animal shelterm at no cost. Pets should not be traded as commodities.

This would definitely solve the problem of shelters being overwhelmed with stray animals.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Dogs are a man’s best friend.

a woman is a man's friend.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Dogs are a man’s best friend.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

many farmers had allowed their dogs to roam and breed freely, 

that sounds like an issue

Eh, sounds to me like a farm dog.

Spay and neuter your pets and there are much fewer problems. They are much less aggro when they don't have all those hormones and they cannot breed.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

No one mentioning DE SEXING as the obvious solution.

You want a cat or dog....good....it must be desexed within 3 months of ownership.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

However, no culled dogs means more in shelters.

That means the problem is still there, just not dealt with immediately. Hopefully this is a temporary situation and the remaining dogs that are in shelters are just part of the transition and will gradually decrease in numbers until a manageable amount is reached.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Kumamoto started a similar program about a decade ago and has achieved its zero-cull policy. Cost to owners is not such an issue; awareness of and ease of access to services designed to cut down on unwanted reproduction is.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

""Even now there are days when 10 dogs are brought to the prefecture's shelter, some because owners are unable to take care of them.""

Sure, when tax payers carry all the costs irresponsible owners will just drop their pets with no care at all.

One way to handle this is to make the so called "Pet owners" share and pay $ for parts of the care provided until their pet is moved to a new home. only then they will think twice before dumping their pets.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Ibaraki Prefecture, long known for culling the largest number of shelter and stray dogs in Japan, did not euthanize any in the fiscal year ended March thanks to the country's first ordinance obliging pet owners to shoulder greater responsibility.

Culled is not the right word here, unless they are stating that all these dogs are part of a wild herd or herd of canines. These are all domestic animals and they are not "culled".

These animals are abandoned dogs, left by unscrupulous GREEDERS and stupid humans who do not know, nor have been educated about the commitment raising a dog, or any pet entails.

Okinawa used to be the worst in all of Japan, with nearly 5,000 or so, dogs and cats euthanized yearly.

However, since volunteer groups have taken a stand, outside of a very few, sick and dying animals, who were put down, the rest have been, saved. Most adopted, and are being fostered, until the are placed in permanent homes.

People here have to stop purchasing animals from home centers and other "Pet" shops, and if they are specifically looking for a particular breed, contact the Japan Kennel Association for authorized breeders.

Most of these "Pest" stores will not give out the breeder information, and far too many are selling inbred dogs which have literally serious mental and sometimes physical problems.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Don't buy, adopt.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Ibaraki Prefecture, long known for culling the largest number of shelter and stray dogs in Japan, did not euthanize any in the fiscal year ended March thanks to the country's first ordinance obliging pet owners to shoulder greater responsibility.

"With great power comes great responsibility".

That said it is up to the government to use the generous amount of taxes they are gifted with to more strictly regulate pet shops and breeders, who are at the heart of the problems with pet ownership in Japan.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

many farmers had allowed their dogs to roam and breed freely, 

that sounds like an issue

11 ( +12 / -1 )

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