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Media
Myths and Education
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In a world where the media educates the public, owners of specific dog breeds have reason to be fearful. Rather than reporting on the truth, the majority of media companies see an opportunity to sell papers by building false myths about certain canine breeds. What is the truth about the breed? How does the public feel about being manipulated by the media? Should the media be accountable for their role in glorifying the horror of dog bites? It is about time that people looked at the real problem behind dog bites and realized that dog owners are the true problem. The media's methodology of sensationalizing dog attacks and the supposed 'dangers' of certain dog breeds not only deflects attention away from the people that are the real problem, but it encourages those people to continue abusing their dogs. It also draws unwanted attention to a breed of dog for those that decide a fourlegged companion should be a status or image symbol, rather than a loyal and trusting friend. Politicians are just people, that are guided by other people - who may or may not be influenced by the media. The horror of a dog attack is a large problem, and can and often does damage lives. The need to correctly address the education for those that have never owned a dog, or those that do, but do not really understand dog behaviour is needed and warranted. How often have we heard - "A dog is for life and not for Christmas" - this implies there is far more a responsibility to owning a dog, or rather being responsible for your companion. Well there is. Dog behaviour is complex, but a base guideline to make it better understood is not hard to teach. Local Councils and schools should research the idea of implementing and education program on the lines of "Safe Kids/Safe Dogs" - simple easy to understand education. Children are the future of this country and many schools and councils get together to recycle, and reduce pollution. Teaching a child, how to behave around a dog, will reflect on the parents - 'How many times has your child said....You're supposed to do it this way' Parents can interract more with their children, and learn together. Studies of Dog Bite stats, that have been collected and many are not, show most dog bite injuries occur in the surrounds of the home. Either by the family pet, or a dog known to the unfortunate victim. A lot of reasons explaining the dog bite incident, have been, 'attempting to seperate - two dogs fighting' more are along the lines of 'child picked up dog toy' or more commonly 'child playing in yard with the dog' Now whilst I believe every child should have the opportunity to grow with a dog in the household, it is obvious that there should be supervision whilst a child is playing with the dog - EVEN if you trust your dog will not do anything. A dog bite incident some time ago, referred to a young boy, on previous occasions having actually fed the dog in question, and no one could explain why the dog suddenly bit the boy, the media reported the attack as vicious and unprovoked - but, vet examination of the dog (after it was put down) found a biro embedded in its ear ! Please, every dog owner needs to be aware of the far reaching responsibilty of having a canine companion, not only the responsibility of care to the dog, but being responsible for what the dog does, how it behaves in public - REMEMBER YOU ARE REPRESENTING EVERY DOG OWNER WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR DOG OUT IN PUBLIC - Western Australian Dog owners - JULY is a very important period of time for you and for ALL Australia. You must write to Hon. Tom Stephens - Minister for Local Government - to your Premier, to your Local member for Parliament and stipulate that will and do not support any form of a Breed Specific Law. Remember you vote !! Queensland only received 253 submissions from the public, and 35 of those supported their law changes!!! C'Mon WA thousands would be good, more would be great....
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