The New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, today received firm evidence that New Zealand has been targeted as
a country from which to source dogs for human consumption in Asia.
“I have received an affidavit confirming an approach to supply Saint Bernard puppies to China, allegedly for service as
Police dogs. No countries use Saint Bernards for Police work, not even Switzerland.
“A number of breeders have told me that New Zealand was being targeted, but now that concrete evidence can be produced,
I expect the Government to move quickly to stop the exporting of dogs from New Zealand for this abhorrent purpose.
“I wrote to the Prime Minister some weeks ago expressing my disgust at the practice of eating dog flesh and the cruel
and barbaric methods used in some countries to kill the dogs, allegedly to increase the aphrodisiac qualities of the
meat.
“I have also written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade seeking to have the exporting of Saint Bernards and
other similar large breeds of dogs, suspected of being killed for human consumption, placed on the agenda of United
Nations meeting in New York next month.
“I will be seeking restriction on their export, to ensure New Zealand breeders do not become unwitting parties to the
supply of breeding stock for eating purposes. Dogs exported for genuine breeding purposes and showing can be clearly
identified,” said Mr Peters.
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Contact: Graham Harding
(021) 633 253