Dog Dangling. A Great British Sport Under Threat From EU
| Dog dangling has been practised for centuries in the
British isles but is now under threat from new EU
legislation. Dogs are strapped into a harness and lowered
over the sides of bridges, piers and harbours, when a
shark makes a leap the owner pulls the dog to safety.
Points are earned according to how late the dog dangler
leaves it before lifting the dog out of harms way. Five
points are deducted per limb lost and if the dog is taken
completely then the owner is disqualified. Champion dog dangler Mr Smith of Sunderland says "I've been a dangler for over twenty years and will be heart broken to lose my sport. I own over 30 dogs and don't know what to do with them if it's banned. Mainly I use black labradors because they look like seals which attracts the bigger specimens". |
 A German shepard is hauled to safety. |
 Live pigs are thown in the water to attract the sharks |
The EU wants to ban dog dangling because dog hair is difficult for sharks to digest and can lead to health problems. A spokesman from DEFRA said "Being marine creatures sharks rarely consume dogs and so have not evolved the ability to digest the hair, this can leave the shark feeling bloated making it hard to chase its natural prey". When questioned on the ethics of the sport the Dog Danglers Association replied "Both the dogs and sharks enjoy the sport and if it is banned thousands of dogs will have to be euthanated. People have got to remember the sport provides employment for over 2000 people in the UK alone". |