My Lamma Forums

[Alan]

As I write, Radio 3's Backchat program is on. This morning the topic is animal welfare, Our Doctor John Wedderburn is a guest.

[Alan]

Listen to the archived program here.

[Lamma-Gung]

Thanks for this timely reminder, Alan. Very interesting panel discussion on animal rights in HK.

Dr John: "I would personally shoot anybody who's cruel to an animal."

The moderator to Dr John later, jokingly:
"So you're something of an extremist!"

I'll have to ask him about those two quotes. An interview with this respected and popular Laudable Lamma Luminary is long overdue...

[tjungarayi]

Not many of us like cruelty to animals and they should be punished.

I am assuming that LG's quotes are accurate and do not omit any serious qualifications pertinant to the quotes, as I did not listen to the show

But our fair doctors logic seems to beg the question that if you shoot people for being cruel to animals then what punishment do you mete out to people who are cruel to children? Attach electrodes to their testicles as you insert a hot poker up their anus and then shoot them.

Unless of course he has more regard for a dogs life than a childs life.
Obviously a little perspective needs to be given to such an emotional topic. No wonder the interviewer questioned this doctor's mental equilibrium.

But of course the good Dr would not really shoot anyone and might just be justified with attaching electrodes and warming up the poker.

[Lamma-Gung]

The quote is verbatim, but it was said in a humourous way, not serious at all! Even the extremist remark by the moderator was more of a good-natured tease than any accusation.

He's a very peaceful man, running a medical practice (for humans) on the island for years, one of the most respected community members and a friend of mine. But he's very passionate and professional about pet and othet animal issues and is spending his time and resources to fight for them in many (all non-violent) ways, from interviews, LAWC, raising public awareness to supporting court cases like the two pet pigs threatened to be slaughtered by the Environmental Protection Dept.