Two years ago, I interviewed Gippsland hobbyist Gerry Kleeven and came away convinced dog racing for him was a purist’s pursuit. A summary ban would disinherit him of his lifetime’s work, which seems no more just than the fates of the animals.
Critics of Baird’s decision concentrated on job losses. Defenders focused on dogs lost. Who could sort right from wrong in that debate? Perhaps Peter Singer, but few others. At risk of inaugurating another debate, you have to give Baird credit at least for making a decision that will be unpopular with some. One of his own MPs already has lashed out. Whether condoning greyhound racing or stopping it, he would have been said by someone to be sending NSW to the dogs.
But where will Baird’s decision sit a few more decades on? The way mankind amuses itself is always changing. Bare-knuckle fighting once was popular, but no more. Boxing had a long heyday, but it is unlikely ever to return. Cage-fighting is in, for the minute.
The way humans harness animals to their amusement changes constantly, too. There was cock-fighting, and bear-baiting, and dog-fighting – and still is in some places, but marginalised – and at every turn of the page, horses, who must wonder how it is that dogs are called man's best friend. There was even greyhound racing with monkeys as jockeys, briefly. Bull-fighting has a rich lore, but is now a bit naff, and in truth, like boxing, always was over-romanticised, anyway. Ernest Hemingway has much to answer for. Long before any of these, Christians versus lions was considered good sport.
【Already in train?】相关文章:
最新
2020-09-15
2020-08-28
2020-08-21
2020-08-19
2020-08-14
2020-08-12