Norway bans breeding of English bulldog
"The man-made health problems of the bulldog have been known since the early 20th century. This verdict is many years overdue" - Åshild Roaldset.
On Monday 31 January, a Norwegian court banned the breeding of English bulldogs and cavalier King Charles spaniels in the country.
Animal rights activists, who took the case to court argued that none of the dogs of those bred in Norway could be classed as healthy, and therefore could not be ethically used for breeding.
Oslo District Court ruled that breeding either kind of dog is a violation of section 25 of the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act.
As reported by the Telegraph, the court ruled that the ban on breeding the dogs would not be extended to breeders seeking to end the breeds' health problems.
The court ruled that: "A conviction does not imply a ban on serious breeding of Bulldog or Cavalier, as serious and scientifically based cross-breeding could be a good alternative.”
In a press release, Åshild Roaldset, CEO of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge – the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (NSPA) - said: “The man-made health problems of the bulldog have been known since the early 20th century. This verdict is many years overdue.
“This is a day of celebration for our dogs! The Animal Welfare Act is intended to protect animals from the irrational actions of humans, and it has done so today. This is about the dogs' right to feel good.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
