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A
13-month-old Rottweiler named "Kaya" has captured the attention
of French magistrates, politicians and perhaps even President Jacques Chirac in a
last-minute bid for a stay of execution. The dog's
attorney, Nadia Weiler-Strasser, has recently applied for "political
asylum" for her client, explaining that "in legal terms, there
exists an area in international law under which anybody who is persecuted
for their race or religion can request asylum."
Whether the subject is a human or a dog is irrelevant, she claims,
citing that an international charter on animal rights signed
by France allows Kaya to be considered on the same footing as a woman or a
man. In addition, Ms. Weiler-Strasser states that there
are various foreign interests in Germany and Switzerland ready to take in the canine refuge-seeker.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
does this pooch deserve death, or does this pooch deserve a great big
hug and a box of Milkbone dog biscuits? The world awaits a response
from French President Jacques Chirac, while the dog Kaya awaits a good tummy-rub.
(Photo: Pierre Andrieu / AFP
& ClariNet)
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Kaya's plight began on Mar. 20 when she was spotted walking the streets
of Sarrebourg without a muzzle or leash as required for Rottweilers under
French law. When police approached, Kaya's owner reportedly fled
without explanation. The dog, who has no known history of violent behavior, was
seized by authorities and sentenced to be put down.
Jean-Francois Raffy, the spokesperson for the Prefecture
de la Moselle (office of the regional governor) stated, "We don't know what it's been trained for", adding that
if Kaya turned dangerous in the future, the governor would face the legal
consequences. Since then, the Prefecture has been besieged with
pleas on behalf of Kaya. Initial protests were rejected by the Administrative Tribunal
on Mar. 23, but in a subsequent appeal, Mme
Bernadette Malgorn, Préfet de la Région Lorraine,
agreed to allow for a one-month period of observation, during which the
dog's fate will be determined.
Surprisingly enough, no one has been able to detect any dangerous
tendencies in the dog during her imprisonment. Reportedly, even the
veterinarian assigned to observe Kaya has refused to perform the
execution, stating that the pup "exhibits no sign of aggression in
normal situations... it will make another, well-balanced master very happy."
There has been no formal response from President Chirac, who is currently campaigning for
next month's national elections—in which, by the way, he is facing
popular competition from one notable opponent, a dog named "Saucisse"
(read "3 Canines Conspire to Conquer the
World: The Next President of France Could be a Dog").
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