Rabies...

[murfitUK]

I have just found out that the dog with rabies was brought to this country by a charity that goes to Sri Lanka, finds stray dogs and then brings them to the UK.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7368808.stm

Have I got that right? Am I missing something, perhaps got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

Why is this happening? Don't we have enough stray animals of our own to look after without searching overseas for more. I thought our dogs homes and sanctuaries were full to overflowing with strays. So why is it OK for this charity to import more?

Don't get me wrong. I think its great that someone wants to look after stray dogs, but why can't they look after them in Sri Lanka instead of shipping them halfway round the world? And I hope the charity is paying the fees for the quarantine kennels. 6 months in quarantine per doggy won't be cheap. Hope its not us taxpayers having to fork out.

And what other charities are doing the same? Which other countries are we bringing the dogs from? Don't we have enough of our own?

[Xaccers]

That is a bizarre one I have to say.
Not exactly environmentally friendly either.

[Marge]

I, for one, wouldn't mind paying some of my tax for these dogs to have a better life than they do in these countries where animal welfare is non exsistant. Have a google and see the article written by Kim Cooling about the fate of dogs in China I'd rather unfortunate animals were settled over here than benefit scrounging "asylum seekers".

[murfitUK]

Originally Posted by Marge

I, for one, wouldn't mind paying some of my tax for these dogs to have a better life than they do in these countries where animal welfare is non exsistant. Have a google and see the article written by Kim Cooling about the fate of dogs in China I'd rather unfortunate animals were settled over here than benefit scrounging "asylum seekers".

Lots of horrible things happen all over the world but that's no reason to bring every living thing/person into this country.

The dogs in Sri Lanka are on the streets because they are not wanted. There are thousands and thousands of dogs in refuges in this country because they are not wanted. Why bring in more unwanted dogs?

The charity would be better undertaking a neutering programme and education for the locals. Try to reduce the problem rather than import it to here.

[BBKing]

Tangential to this, it's not an isolated case. As a country we're not particularly rational about either charitable donation or animal welfare, really.

The British public gives more to a Devon-based donkey sanctuary than the most prominent charities trying to combat violence and abuse against women, a report released today by a leading philanthropy watchdog reveals.

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) has calculated that more than 7 million women have been affected by domestic violence but found that Refuge, the Women’s Aid Federation and Eaves Housing for Women have a combined annual income of just £17m. By contrast the Donkey Sanctuary, which has looked after 12,000 donkeys, received £20m in 2006.

Remember that next time someone* suggests that charities are much better placed to help the poor than the state. If you're going to get beaten up by some berk, make sure you're a donkey.

* Someone right wing, inevitably.