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Talking PointIs tougher dog legislation really necessary?
Dogs are undoubtedly the most popular household animal in this country and
are considered by many to part of the fabric of Czech life. Nevertheless,
despite the fact that so many people here are utterly devoted to their
dogs, there is growing disquiet in some quarters about the level of
control Czechs exercise over their pets. A number of well-publicised
attacks by dogs on humans has prompted some MPs to table a bill before
parliament, which seeks to introduce some tough new laws aimed at ensuring
greater discipline among dog owners.
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Current AffairsA patriotic Czech dog celebrates its 80th birthday
They say that dogs take on the qualities of their owners and vice-versa,
and some might say that the following two breeds conform to stereotype.
The German "Drahthund" - the wire haired pointing dog - is a dog
that loves the hunt, enthusiastically chasing its prey through the forest;
its close Czech relative - the Bohemian wire-haired pointing dog, or
"Cesky fousek", is a much quieter, more restrained breed, and
favours caution before diving into the woods. The fousek is also one of
Europe's oldest breeds, in all probability going back to the Middle Ages.
This week the Cesky Fousek Breeders' Club is celebrating its 80th
anniversary, and the 40th anniversary of the breed being fully recognized
internationally. The club's president, Dr Jaromir Dostal, spoke to David
Vaughan.
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Current AffairsParliament to discuss stiffer sentences for dog attacks amid latest killing
MPs are due to discuss new legislation in the next few weeks to deal with
the growing problem of dogs attacking humans. Under a bill to be submitted
to parliament, dog owners would face much stiffer punishments if their dog
kills or maims someone. The bill comes after the latest case in which a
man was apparently killed by three Staffordshire terriers.
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Current AffairsDog licences in Prague to increase to help cover street-cleaning expenses
Visitors admiring the beauty of Prague's spires and the colourful facades
of its historic buildings are often in for an unpleasant surprise. Prague
residents learnt long ago that it's safest to walk around the city with
their eyes down. That's because the streets of the capital are often
littered with dog excrement, which the city authorities spend tens of
millions of crowns a year cleaning up. The money from dog licences is used
to clean up the dog mess, though it is not enough. The city council has
now proposed the licence fee be increased by fifty percent.
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MailboxMailbox
Topics this week: Educational project teaching children to live alongside
animals. "Tourist Police" force. Czech national anthem.
Listeners quoted: Michael Stein, Pavel Barta, Frederick Johnson.
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Current AffairsChild's tragic death revives dispute over inadequate dog legislation
Is the dog really man's best friend? The death of an 18 month baby girl,
mauled to death by the family dog, has shocked the nation and left many
people wondering whether this nation of dog-lovers really knows what it is
doing.
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Press ReviewPress Review
There's only one star of today's Press Review, and that is of course the
Japanese robot Asimo. Yes, robot fever has hit the Czech Republic this
week, and the papers are full of him. Asimo shaking hands with Prime
Minister Vladimir Spidla, Asimo standing proudly by the side of Japanese
PM Junichiro Koizumi, Asimo declaring a toast of friendship between robots
and humans: could this be the most successful official visit ever to the
Czech Republic?
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