Using Animals on Talent Shows is this cruel

[in a mo]

Do you think that using animals on Tv is cruel ,it is not natural David Walliams on Graham Norton Show on Saturday on BBC Radio 2 said that they starve the dogs to make them perform,my dog will take a biscuit for a Paw but anything more you would need to starve her for day's.
WE STOPPED CIRCUS ANIMALS ,i REALISE SOME WERE WILD BUT NOT ALL . WHAT DO YOU THINK

[tonyav]

David Walliams probably said that just to cause a bit of controversy and wind a few people up, that's what he is like.

[andy-hughes]

First of all, you will find DW was being sarcastic, it's his sense of humour, not to be taken seriously.

Second - training a dog to do tricks does not in any way equate to training a wild animal. Wild animals ere out of their environment, being made to do things that they would never do in the wild.

Dogs are domseticated animals who love to please their owners, and can be easily trained using a simple reward system, so it is not that far from their usual activity.

We should stop dogs performing on TV because it is a throwback to the 1950's it is outdated, boring, all-the-same, and really not sophisticated Saturday night entertainment.

[Mick-Talbot]

Using Animals on Talent Shows is this cruel

No, it is just boring.

[Postdog]

If you are referring to Pudsey, any idiot can see that this is a much loved and cared for dog who enjoys "playing" the way he does.

[chaptazbru]

in a mo - we haven't stopped circus animals at all. There are still camels, ponies and dogs in some circuses in our country, oh and zebras too. The majority of the public want a ban on wild animals especially, but as usual the government are dragging their heels on this one. And I personally don't agree with any performing animals at all, even if Pudsey does seem to be enjoying himself.

[woofgang]

so no guide dogs for the blind, assistance dogs or hounds for heros then chaptazbru?

[chaptazbru]

What the hell are you talking about - they're not performing animals !!!!! I'm talking about animals made to perform stupid tricks in circuses and on stages for our so called entertainment - obvious really!!!!!

[commoner]

...and why not go the whole hog and ban people keeping dogs at all.."it ain't natural!"...and cats...and rabbits ..."not natural" ....Heh heh!

[woofgang]

well actually they are performing animals. The difference is that the "tricks" are useful rather than just entertaining. I agree with you about caged animals (kenneled dogs)

[anotheoldgit]

chaptazbru

/// And I personally don't agree with any performing animals at
all, ///

And what are your thoughts on Dressage, Equestrian Gymkhanas, Show Jumpers and Steeple Chase horses?

[commoner]

..and war dogs and sniffer dogs and sheep dogs and police dogs....none of that is "natural"...

[chaptazbru]

woofgang - your take on it, not mine.

AOG - not too keen no, especially horse racing ......

[sandyRoe]

One end of the spectrum is posh sport with animals. The other end is dancing bears and other performing animals in shows. They should all be banned.

[woofgang]

Horse racing/eventing and war dogs are a bit different. I am absolutely against putting animals into situations where they could be badly injured or killed for the convenience/amusement of humans.

[chaptazbru]

Totally agree sandy.

[trt]

lots of good answers, I suppose you want to stop greyhound racing as well!!!!!

[chaptazbru]

Yes !

[woofgang]

TRT that is one of the most abusive sports of all

[sandyRoe]

trt, that would be an act of kindness directed at the punters. :-)

[commoner]

..mm....My avatar is my dog Edward.... why do I have him if not for my own ends be it affection amusement,a burgular alarm maybe or any other thing you can think of.....it's all relative and I see no wrong in what the girl and dog on tv were doing at all....JMHO.