tdierikx Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Having actually met the man in person on a number of occasions, I'd say melzawelza's summation of the situation is the most likely to be correct here... he trains dogs to do some pretty amazing jobs, and is darned good at it. Just because he's the top dog in the PIAA doesn't mean that he is evil incarnate or relishes the killing of any animal. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redangel Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 All in favor of humanely killing feral pests which pose a threat to the natural environment. I would believe the photo was taken to outline the effective training of a dog to track such pests. Emotively, the photo to me however is in bad taste : cats are still viewed as a companion animal and though this is deemed a feral animal dead it appears no different to a domestic pet and thus it makes it disturbing.... if he was hunting a strayed dog that was deemed feral Id feel the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I don't give a shit if Austin is a dog trainer, good or otherwise and I don't give a shit if feral cats need to be culled. I think the photograph is in poor taste and the position held by this person amplifies that poor taste. The argument for me is not the necessity or the action of killing and or culling in this instance but the image portrayed of a cat hanging by its neck and being held by a person who holds such a position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 The photo and this thread should have come with a warning about the possible distress it may cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) Thank you to Melzawelza for explaining why this photograph might even exist because I couldn't for the life of me understand the point of having a photo taken holding up an animal with a rope around its neck. The photo seemed very African safari to me and I thought we'd moved past those days. I'd find anything strung up by a rope disturbing to be honest. It just seems so grotesque and unnessecary. A photo of it even worse. Edited March 6, 2012 by Puppy_Sniffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Are You Serious Jo Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Where is this photo from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandypam Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Steve Austin is pictured here with a dog he trained to locate feral cats in remote areas. This dog is trained to scent-track cats, so they can be destroyed. Though I cannot no for sure, Steve Austin seems rather pleased of his dog's achievements. I think I would be rather impressed if I trained a dog to perform in such a regular and useful way. WTF!, who are you people? and what are you doing on a "animal rescue site:?? Anyone who enjoys killing animals has NO PLACE in ANY business associated with other animals!! This is NOT an animal rescue site, it is a pure bred dog site. Who said anything about enjoying killing animals? The animals are feral and a problem and need to be managed. I think you may need to become less emotional about your subject matter if you want people to take what you say seriously. This is posted in the rescue forum!, I didn't comment out in the "breeders" section. As for being emotional, the moment I stop being that will be a day when I will worry about whats "wrong" with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandypam Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Steve Austin is pictured here with a dog he trained to locate feral cats in remote areas. This dog is trained to scent-track cats, so they can be destroyed. Though I cannot no for sure, Steve Austin seems rather pleased of his dog's achievements. I think I would be rather impressed if I trained a dog to perform in such a regular and useful way. WTF!, who are you people? and what are you doing on a "animal rescue site:?? Anyone who enjoys killing animals has NO PLACE in ANY business associated with other animals!! How would you deal with the feral animal problem Pandypam? How I would deal with it is to try something that is working in other country's- high volume-low cost/free desexing. Shooting, trapping, poisoning have not works though its been tried for many many years. And frankly, if I had realized this was a site that is run by dog/cat breeders I would NEVER have joined, so you pump them out one end and then "allow " the others to rescue them??, get a real job! Give me humane destruction via bullet over baits or traps any day! God know what you think of purebred dog owners who use their dogs for hunting but frankly, I don't really care. Build a bridge. No one's forcing you to hunt. Oh and in case you haven't noticed this ISN'T an animal rescue site. It's a site for the promotion of purebred dogs whose owner allows rescue to operate from here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemappelle Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 It's just appeared on my Facebook newsfeed and Steve Austin has replied as to the circumstances of the photo. If you want to see what he wrote it is on the Petshaven wall here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pets-Haven-Animal-Shelter/93027212747?sk=wall It was posted about an hour ago so towards the end of the comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I have to wonder if the OP has ever encountered a feral cat in real life, they are not sweet cuddly creatures at all. I have 6 indoor cats myself and I love them, but they are so different to feral cats they seem Ike a different species. Hunting is a sport, I've hunted in years gone by for roos, feral goats and rabbits. Loved it. I still love seeing experienced hunting dogs working together to bring down an animal much bigger than they are and quite capable of killing them. I live out west where feral animals are a huge problem. I have NO issue with ppl hunting them, or with them hunting other animals for food for themselves or their dogs. I mean is the OP against fishing as well? I have to say tho i think it's much easier to be anti hunting when you live in the city and don't ever actually encounter feral animals or witness the destruction they've caused. I don't have an issue with the pic myself. Hunters are allowed to enjoy the success of their hunt. Agree with this and am not surprised by Steve Austins's response - of course they would be happy if they are successfully training dogs to find so they can humanely destroy ferals. Sure as hell beats the use of 1080 baits or traps which cause anything but kind/quick deaths. I find this photo far less afronting then all the pics/tv shows relating to recreational fishing where it is seems to be totally OK to be cruel and let animals suffer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 On my grandfather's farm we watched 10 feral cats destroy a whole flock of birds when they came down the the dam to drink. Nothing we could do to prevent it feral cats aren't really frightened of humans. We tried baiting but they never touched the baits, if the people who do rescue think they can handle a feral cat the same way they handle domesticated cats then they really are out of touch. These cats at the dam that day were the same size as a small dog and they are really dangerous to get near. I think having a dog that can track them down so you can shoot them humanely is great as they are really hard to find when they want to be and the mothers constantly move the kittens if they think they are being followed. The dog scent in the area is likely to put off cats too. As to the photo each to their own I guess, but it is pretty evident that the cat in the photo is just a skin probably why they need the rope to show what they are doing. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I don't like feral cats, I don't like this photo but it doesn't offend or upset me nearly as much as the latest thing in Africa - hunt a giraffe and then stand, like a moron posting for a picture with your gun, acting proud of killing a magnificent animal that doesn't do anything or anyone any harm. Feral cats are a menace, giraffes aren't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillypilly Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 :)Yeah Dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Feral cats need to be caught and destroyed. They kill native wildlife and reak havoc on the environment For me however I don't think a photo of a cat hanging by a rope is really appropriate I don't think having to kill any animal for whatever reason should be fun It is something should be done out of necessity only that is just my opinion +1 Fran. I'm just not a fan of posing with a kill or dead thing in general (incl celebs in furs). Same for the numerous ones that appear on my newsfeed as animal welfare /anti meat/ anti fur/ petitions etc etc...... It's creepy and in some cases really morbid. Puts me right off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumof4girls Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 This has nothing to do with where my KFC comes from, it is all about a man glowing with pride holding Up a dead cat from a noose... The question was posed by the OP on what people think of this, I for one answered.. Not one to judge.. Next time you walk into KFC and smile while you eat, think about where your chicken comes from.. Next time you eat your hamburger and smile, think about where the mince came from.. Oh and Vegans.. yes you do just eat vegies but if you buy them from a store can you be sure that blood & bone weren't used to fertilise your food or the excrement from battery hens wasnt used used to prepare the soil.. Unless you are a person pictured in that photo you have no right to judge.. Maybe the smile is rewarding the dog for locating a cat.. Who knows ?? Understanding & correct information are the keys to animal rescue and public education .... Judgement and blame have no place here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnali Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 All I am saying is that until we look at ourselves we cannot judge another.. We were not there when a feral cat was destroyed.. We dont KNOW the circumstances We are not there when livestock is detroyed for human consumption either.. Yet we assume it is humane.. For those that do not have facebook or have not seen the post. As PIAA President I understand that this photo may be upsetting to some. This photo was taken in the Mornington Sanctuary in the Kimberly in northern Australia as part of an Australian Wildlife Conservancy program to eradicate feral cats destroying native wildlife. This is a massive problem. One feral cat on the loose is understood to kill on average of 5 native animals in one day, which is in the order of 60 million native animals killed a day across the country. This cat was tracked and humanely shot under strict protocols and the photo serves to document this important program. Steve Austin Just remember that that one female cat has the posiblity of creating thousands of kittens who in turn can reproduce. They are not family pets. Most people would not hesitate to kill a germ carrying mosquito yet have strong views regarding feral animal eradication. I myself have no problem with the eradication of feral cats, dogs, goats, pigs, cane toads etc... As long as it is in a humane manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawfect Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) I agree that the photo is in poor taste. Sure, the cat was a feral pest that needed to be 'caught', but it it was also a living creature that didn't ask to be born & therefore its death isn't a laughing matter (or a kodak moment)!!... Yes I eat meat, squish spiders, etc......but humane people wouldn't find the death of any creature enjoyable. Edited March 6, 2012 by Pawfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guardienne Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 In my opinion, you don't pose with pride over the death of anything. Whether it's deemed necessary or not. Show some respect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 The dogs need to be trained on real scent articles and the feral cat is dead ... I think get over it considering how much this man has contributed over the years to specialised detection dogs that help our country out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guardienne Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Helping a country out doesn't make you beyond reproach. Nor should it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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