Stop the Murder of Deaf Dalmatians
By Billie HassimTarget: Dalmatian Club of America
Goal: To stop the unnecessary murder of deaf dalmatians
Deafness is not uncommon among dalmatians; only 70% of all dalmatians are considered to have normal hearing. Despite these numbers, the Dalmatian Club of America remains firm on their position regarding deaf dalmatians. On their website the Dalmatian Club of America strongly insists that instead of finding homes for these dalmatians with special needs, all deaf dalmatians should be put down in a “humane” manner.
According to the Dalmatian Club of America, no deaf dalmatian should even be given the chance to live. It encourages breeders to kill dalmatian puppies as soon as they are determined to be deaf. In the event a deaf dalmatian is placed into a home, the Dalmatian Club of America strongly urges owners to put down the deaf dalmatian and “starting over with a healthy, hearing pup.”
Contrary to what the Dalmatian Club of America suggests, these animals are not dispensable. The lives of these dogs should not be taken so lightly; the lives of these animals should not be based solely on their ability to hear.
A deaf dog does not equate to an aggressive dog. There is the common misconception that deaf dogs are far harder to train and more aggressive than normal dogs because they are deaf. This argument is the basis for the murder of countless dalmatians. Because of its large size, a deaf dalmatian is considered to be “dangerous” and “uncontrollable.” With special training, love, and patience, a deaf dalmatian can be trained to be a highly functional and loving member of the family.
The murder of deaf dalmatians needs to be stopped immediately. These dalmatians should not be denied the right to live just because they are deaf. Sign the petition below to urge the Dalmatian Club of America to stop advocating the murder of deaf dalmatians.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Dalmatian Club of America,
The murder of deaf dalmatians needs to be stopped. Just because a dalmatian is deaf does not mean it is automatically aggressive or uncontrollable. The information on your website strongly suggests that there is no hope for a deaf dalmatian. The only solution you give regarding the problem of deafness in dalmatians is to “humanely” put down the affected animals.
While it may be difficult, these animals can also be trained to be a highly functional and loving member of any family. These animals just need special training and owners who are willing to put in some extra work to love them for what they are.
Do not subject these animals to a death sentence simply because they are deaf. Plenty of innocent dalmatians are being killed because of their lack of ability to hear. I am urging you to stop advocating the murder of these animals based solely on the fact that they are deaf. Surely there are other methods that can determine if a dalmatian is truly “dangerous” for its owners. Do not convey the message that all deaf dalmatians are aggressive and dangerous when this is simply not the case.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: blumenbiene via Flickr
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31 Comments
My grandmother had a deaf dalmatian for nearly 12 years and her name was Dallas. She was a light in their lives and loved her very much. This should not be allowed and the dalmatians should be given equal opportunity to find a loving and nurturing home!
We don’t kill deaf people, so why these innocent, defenseless, sentient dalmatians?
I had never heard of such a horrific thing in all my life!!!!! How the Dalmation Club of America could condone this is absolutely SICKENING!!!! Deaf,blind,two legs,no tail I DONT CARE they are still LIVING BREATHING animals that should be treated with LOVE and KINDNESS. SHAME on YOU Dalmation Club of America and all of those who follow your STUPIDITY!!!!
I AGREE WITH JULIE ROBBS 1000%. YOU ARE COLD BLOODED CRUEL BASTARDS!! I HAD A DEAF CAT MANY YEARS AGO. I DID NOT KILL HIM. HE DIED AT AGE 18.
This is heartless. I wonder how the Dalmation Club of America views deaf children? I have a wonderful dog adopted from a no-kill shelter. I’m sure a tender, loving individual or family would be happy to adopt a deaf Dalmation. There is no reason for this practice.
This is their fault, not the puppies’. Therefore it is not the puppies who should be harmed! This is criminal activity. Such pets can be neutered and spayed so that they do not spread faulty genes. Killing is criminal, irresponsible, cruel and disgusting. I have a deaf dog. A very happy deaf dog, and the sweetest pet I’ve ever had.
This is just so DISGUSTING !! Inbreeding is the main cause for this defect and the Dalmatian Club have a part in the responsibility for this. I think their only motive for taking this stance is to increase the sales of dogs from the very breeders who caused the problem in the first place !! This has to STOP !!!
Once again, spay/neuter is the answer, not killing. Deaf pups? Spay/neuter them *and* the parents that produced them. Don’t keep breeding the same animals hoping for a different outcome, and don’t kill dogs when altering them is a viable choice (albeit more expensive for the breeder, but that’s part of being a breeder (or should be). ALL pet dogs sold should be spayed/neutered *before* being released to the new home.
Every breeder is responsible for the lives they bring into this world, and that includes any and all “oops” or intentional litters that happen in the homes of people they sell to. They are responsible for every animal they sell for the life of that animal, and should take them back at any time, even ten years down the road, even if the dog is deaf, and that means not allowing the dog to be killed for convenience, which is clearly what is happenening to these deaf dogs. If the dog they sold has an oops mixed litter, they need to take responsibility for these pups, too, spay/neuter them and find them homes. If they’re selling unaltered animals, it’s part of the risk they take. Screening buyers carefully to ensure that they will not allow the dog to roam , breed, or dump the dog in the shelter is part of the responsibility that comes from bringing another puppy into a country that is putting down millions of unwanted dogs every year.
Do breeders live up to this responsibility? I’m sure there’s one out there who does, but I’m still waiting to meet them. If the breeder you’re shopping with doesn’t live up to these standards, do not buy from them. Adopt from a rescue. Purebreds and first generation purebred mixes abound there, and they need you.
Don’t support any breeding business that isn’t up to par. Your money tells them you believe what they are doing is right, good, and should be done to more dogs. Keep this in mind when you’re tempted to buy a pet store/puppy mill/poorly treated breeder’s dog because you feel sorry for him. It’s perpetuating the suffering.
Don’t support any breeding business FULL STOP. When is it going to get through the thick skulls? Breeding is done for money only. There are too many animals already and breeding more means that the little beauties in shelters never get the chance of a loving home. What heartless, cruel, selfish, uncaring, greedy people all breeders are. Show me a breeder that doesn’t do it for the money.
I also feel the hearing issue is due to breeders, puppy mills, etc. Mixed breeds are adorable and are usually healthier and live longer. I adopted a Pom mix from a shelter 7 years ago as an adult dog and she has been the most incredible companion – her sweet little face and waggy tail just melts me. As for Dalmations, I have heard that they can be aggressive. I have only had experience with one, and it happened to be highly aggressive. But I also believe it’s how you train/raise them. As one poster said, there are hand signals, treats and other techniques to train. There has to be another way… I hope these killings are stopped.
Adoption of mutts is the answer to this kind of unscrupulous breeding!
What BASTARDS!!!
First of all – anyone who gets a Dalmation knows there’s a risk! – the breeders knew before they ever started. Where is the Love? – GREEDY BASTARDS – ALL OF THEM! You people should love these dogs! not throw them away ! Dispicable! DEAF OR BLIND OR PERFECTLY HEALTHY – THEY ALL HEAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE!!!!
Sent the following e-mail to Darlene Chirolas, Dalmation Club of America.
Her e-mail address is: chirolas@uiuc.edu
Just wondering – Would you suggest that we do the same with our deaf children? I mean sometimes they have ‘selective hearing’. It’s not that they’re really deaf, it’s just that sometimes the little buggers choose not to listen, and they can be difficult to deal with. Where can I have them put down?
Regarding the deaf dalmations, have you never heard of hand-signal commands? Oh but wait, that would involve training and working with the dog a little bit harder, wouldn’t it.
You’re right, it’s so much easier to just put down all the deaf dogs. Actually, we should probably do that with all dogs that aren’t just the perfect little cash registers.
You have made me feel so much better by telling me that I shouldn’t feel guilty about it…
Stop! The Killing of these beautiful dogs,How would the owners like it if some kill them becaus they where deaf?
This is a classic example of the attitude of people who breed dogs. I despise the whole industry, – from the puppy mills on. All dogs are descended from the grey wolf and to interbreed them and twist them like pretzels into some shape and size is sick. Dogs are being treated like merchandise instead of our ancient and loyal companion. They deserve better.
Amazing,isn’t it ,how some people are hell-bent on treating animals as a disposable commodity?? I say they themselves are no use to anyone or anything and, as such,should be got rid of without a second thought.
Fuckin scumbags!!
What utter Rubbish.Heil Hitler
I’ve had a few deaf Dals and all were amazing dogs! I think this is a great starting effort to address this problem, but I think you all should check out the club of Canada, Australia and Europe. They ALL suggest killing deaf puppies. And their ‘humane’ way is to drown them most of the time. This is a world wide problem and needs to be addressed around the globe!
this is disgusting what is wrong with people all these animals want or any animal wants is to be loved and protected .sometimes i am so ashamed to be a human because put an e with that and that is what we all should be !!!
These morons have obviously never heard of “karma”, they will find out soon enough.Anyone who hurts an animal in any way has to repay the action big time!
I beg to differ with a lot of you on these guys.My girl lived to be fifteen and she was a beautiful liver dalmation who was healthy other than her hearing.And no this absolutely did not effect her at all.She just had to be looking at you when you spoke to her and she would respond.She was an angel who I miss dearly,she just passed in July.We miss her terribly,she was perfect,loved kids loved everyone other dogs you name it.She was great!Her only hang up was if you got her near water,it was on and she was not coming out till she was exausted or you went in to get her!lol She was the best and you people who are killing them or thinking they all have health issues are just plain wrong!
It should be considered that this recommendation, if followed, would increase sales for breeders by increasing demand for these dogs, since 30% would be being destroyed soon after purchase. This will be good news for some breeders, and may result in some deliberately breeding deaf stock in order to increase their profits. A better approach would be a fine for every pup found to be partially/deaf, or a target of healthy hearing for all dalmations to be achieved by a certain date, and a controlled breeding program to attain it.
WTF?! What’s wrong with these people?!!?!?
Damn barbarians! In this day and age how can they encourage such a cruel act of inhumanity. I’m never setting foot in the USA until they do something about this!
Totally agree Magnuss. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Only in America…
many thoroughbreed breeders are 100% off the mark plus too cruel plus miss the whole point.
Kife is a God given gift to every being! Respect & protect all lives as your own is treasured! These Dalmatians can have a quality of life even if they are deaf. That does not make them unadophtable, they have all the love in the world to give to a family! They were born for a reason. Killing is murder & a crime to take another’s life! Come back to your senses, your sixth one would be good. God Bless.
For every action there is a reaction. According to the law of karma, if we cause
pain and suffering to other living beings, we must endure pain and suffering in
return, both individually and collectively. We reap what we sow, in this life and
the next, for nature has her own justice. No one can escape the law of karma.
Absolutely heinous and cruel.
Humans are not put down just because they are deaf, so why should animals. As long as they are not used for breeding so they don’t pass on the traits. Those who want to destroy these precious lives, nobody is asking you to look after and care for them. There are plenty of good homes for them
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