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| Great White North |
| Bomb-sniffing dogs on Vancouver transit worry Muslim leader |
| 2009-12-12 |
| Specially trained bomb-sniffing dogs might soon be patrolling Metro Vancouver's buses and SkyTrains just in time for the Olympics, but that has some Muslims concerned. The Metro Vancouver Transit Police Service is in the process of selecting the handlers and dogs that will be part of the two-year pilot project, said deputy chief George Beattie. Once the teams are trained, the dogs will work on the entire transit system, including buses, SkyTrains and SeaBus ferries. But the idea of being sniffed up and down by a slobbery pooch — no matter how well trained — has already raised concerns among some members of Metro Vancouver's Muslim community. Some devout Muslims consider dogs to be unclean animals and try to avoid any contact with them. Some Muslim cab drivers in Vancouver have even refused to take guide dogs in their vehicles and will call for a second vehicle to take the fare instead. Shawket Hassan, the vice-president of the B.C. Muslim Association, says he wants to make sure the dogs will not touch passengers during searches, which could lead to problems, particularly for Muslims heading to a mosque to pray. "If they touch the body, then there is a probability they will leave some saliva on the clothes," said Hassan. "If I am going to the mosque and pray, or doing something that way, and I have this saliva on my body … I have to go and change or clean," said Hassan. He pointed out that devout Muslims pray five times a day, no matter where they are. Hassan said he wants to work with the transit police to develop guidelines that would keep the dogs at least 30 centimetres away from passengers. But Hassan stressed that Muslims have respect for all animals, including dogs, and they have no objections to using the dogs for security. "This is a step we would support, but … we would like to be informed," he said. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #15 What about people squashed into gether on the Skytrain? Would that offend the 30 cm rule? perhaps a judicial use of a taxi may be the price for religious fervour |
| Posted by: Northern Cousin 2009-12-12 07:23 |
| #14 The truffle hog or truffle pig is a domestic pig used for extraction of truffles from temperate forests in Europe and North America. The pigs have a good sense of smell and a natural affinity for rooting in the earth for food, and are trained to hunt truffles by walking on a leash. The use of the pig to hunt truffles is said to date back to the Roman Empire,<---B.M. Before Muslims --> The first well-documented use comes from Bartolomeo Platina in the 15th century. Later references to truffle pigs include John Ray in the 17th century. In 1875, a truffle hog could cost up to $200. A skilled truffler could more than make up for this investment due to the high price of truffles on the gourmet food market. Today it is common for dogs (known as "Truffle hounds") as well as truffle hogs to be used in the gathering of truffles because hogs have been known to eat too many truffles in the field. However, traditionalists argue that the swine have more sensitive noses and their particular taste for truffles leads to a more devoted beast. It is frequent for the hog to be more of a family pet of the truffler. |
| Posted by: Tiny Clereter2579 2009-12-12 04:10 |
| #13 Second that on the Pigs - don't they have a sense of smell even more sensitive than dogs? No wonder Mo didn't like them. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-12-12 03:35 |
| #12 These guys are a little (or maybe a lot) OC (Obsessive Compulsive...in addition to having SJDS-Sudden Jihad Derangement Syndrome)...or maybe just plain bug nuts crazy. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2009-12-12 03:30 |
| #11 The dogs should be given a rest every now and then due to the stress of it all. Bomb sniffing pigs should also be used. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2009-12-12 01:44 |
| #10 Oh noes, panties-on-head sniffing dawgs. |
| Posted by: Rhodesiafever 2009-12-12 01:43 |
| #9 Unfrickinbelievable. Bomb sniffing dogs have 'some Muslims concerned.' Well bomb carrying Muslims have ALOT of the rest of us concerned. |
| Posted by: Nimrod Finster 2009-12-12 01:26 |
| #8 Angelton9 : Muslim countries suck, Muslim People are un loved because they tend to be ultra self righteous Assholes, just sayin' |
| Posted by: 746 2009-12-12 12:31 |
| #7 The SPCA needs to get on this! If the Muslims don't like being sniffed by the dogs, just think how the poor dogs suffer doing the sniffing! |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2009-12-12 10:28 |
| #6 A note to muslims in North America who are afraid of dog saliva: GO HOME |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2009-12-12 08:59 |
| #5 have you noticed that Moslems are not loved? There is a reason for that. |
| Posted by: Angleton9 2009-12-12 07:45 |
| #4 I really do think that the authorities should listen to this " Muslim Leader " as he ( a Muslim leader can only be male ) is speaking on behalf of all " Moderate Muslims " and we do not want to upset their sensitivities, as they go about bombing the Kafirs. |
| Posted by: Dave UK 2009-12-12 05:05 |
| #3 In fact, and to be fair, it's very understandable. After all, dogs are Unclean™, and... bombs are very, very holy for muslims, as you know. So, it's REALLY like their Religious Feelings are being defiled or something. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2009-12-12 03:20 |
| #2 I think this is one of those things that led SoS Madeleine Albright to conclude that the "Muslims are lacking a Renaissance." The horrid beasts that must have barked and scared the bejesus out of Mohammad when visiting the huts and tents of his associates (even wild dogs from the 7th century could probably sense the disposition of a monster) have come a long way in breeding, and now the fun and cuddly Sheepdogs, Dachshunds and Irish Setters of the world need a second chance from the Angel Gibril. I'll put the Ba'hineys on this in the morning. |
| Posted by: Ralphs son Johnnie 2009-12-12 02:50 |
| #1 Ah, so that's it. Create a fake sense of outrage amongst Muslims for being unfairly singled out. This is because the actions of the men on the airliners will give cause for more scrutiny of Muslims in general. |
| Posted by: gromky 2009-12-12 02:46 |
