even breed them for that purpose. I than getting one with the misguided
suppose my problem lies in the fact that intention of caring for it without knowing
those dogs exist to do their job, whereas the full details, but in terms of end result
this lady, if she takes the police offi cer’s I’d say no. A dog is less likely to be
advice, will be getting a dog that would given up if it serves a purpose outside of
normally be a bog standard pet and will be companionship. A dog that provides peace
relying on him for work as a guard dog. of mind to a lonely old lady is not a bad
thing, right?
It’s unusual that I feel this way and I’m
as surprised as anyone. I like to think of I’m trying to convince myself that she’s as
myself as pragmatic when it comes to entitled to have this dog as I am to have
animal welfare - I try not to project human mine. But the fact that she’s only thinking
values and expectations onto dogs, about getting it because someone pointed
but for some reason I feel sorry for this out the benefi ts of having a dog makes
hypothetical dog already. I’m not going to me think otherwise. I suppose this just
express any of this to my neighbour; but goes to show once again that dogs and
I’m afraid I’ll judge her if she decides to dog ownership can be divisive.
get a dog.
Update - Once again, I’ve had to step
After really examining my own away from my column for a few days and
conscience, I’m convinced that the reason consider what it is I’m saying. I’ve had
I feel like this is because of the police time to think and I reckon I’ve got it. It
offi cer and his advice. Regardless of is morally wrong to get a pet dog if the
whether my neighbour follows up on it or only reason is to deter burglars, but dogs
not, the advice commoditises dogs. One don’t really care about morals, they care
thing that other working dogs are not, is about company, food, shelter and mental
commoditised, they are highly valued. stimulation - all of which this dog would
Knowing my neighbour, if she gets a be getting. So whom am I to moralise
dog, he’ll be cherished and valued too, about whether or not this hypothetical dog
because she’s that sort of person, but the should be given a new home?
predicate that the dog is being bought as
a deterrent to burglars puts it in the same I suppose my misguided concern for a
category as a burglar alarm or a barbed dog I’ve never met is yet another reason
wire fence. That is why I fi nd the idea why humans should refrain from applying
morally ambiguous at best, objectionable their own value system to an animal
at worst. that has no
need for such
So, is it wrong to get a dog if, aside from trivialities. Dogs
companionship and love, you spot a good are dogs and if
reason to do so? If you’ve never wanted a my neighbour
dog and suddenly there’s a good reason, needs a guard
how wrong is it? I don’t know. Is it more dog - it’s one
wrong than getting one to cheer up the less dog
kids or to make Christmas that bit more cooped up in a
special? In terms of intent, I’d say yes; rescue centre.
getting a dog for selfi sh reasons is worse
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