MindBomber
07-22-2012, 10:41 PM
District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.
The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.
Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees.
The proposed animal control bylaw was brought to council for discussion Monday morning, and is meant to replace the District’s outdated one, which dates back to 1977.
Maple Ridge bylaws director Liz Holitzki said the singling out of pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and the SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls in particular.
“It’s not unusual to have a total ban, but that’s not the way to go,” Holitzki told council.
However, while many communities have chosen to enact similar bylaws singling out a particular breed, they have had little positive effect, according to Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA.
“The issue isn’t the breed of dogs, it’s the dog owners who aren’t being responsible,” she said.
The SPCA doesn’t support breed-specific bans or bylaws, because such legislation punishes responsible dog owners instead of encouraging them, and provides a false sense of security for residents.
Among the breeds most often associated with dog bites, Chortyk said golden retrievers and Chihuahuas are the worst offenders.
“Pit bulls are actually way down the list,” she said.
Other breeds are often mistaken for pit bulls, which has unfairly given the breed a bad reputation.
“Any time there’s a stocky short-haired dog that’s involved in a dog bite and runs off, its automatically a pit bull,” said Chortyk. “But that’s not always the case.”
In some jurisdictions in the U.S., dozens of breeds have been banned over the past decades as problem owners move on to different types of dogs.
“But they are still having problems, because their laws don’t deal with the dog owners.”
Any dog with strong jaws and a prey drive needs to be well-managed, but pit bulls aren’t the only breed to fall into that category. Chortyk suggested offering a discount on licenses to dog owners who can prove their dog has successfully passed obedience school would be more effective.
“That way it’s not punitive to responsible dog owners,” she said.
Requiring all male dogs to be neutered would also help to prevent dog bites, as well as keep the dog population under control.
However, Holitzki noted that the SPCA has a different mandate than Maple Ridge bylaws enforcement, and that it was important for the district to act first to protect residents from aggressive dogs to prevent dog attacks.
“We look to protect the residents as opposed to the animal,” Holitzki said. “But certainly we can wait and react when someone gets bit.”
Councillors also expressed trepidation at including breed-specific language in the bylaw.
“It’s a bit discriminatory,” said Coun. Mike Morden. “I’d like to see these dogs dealt with on an individual basis.”
He added that if the licensing fee is made to be exorbitant, owners of aggressive dogs simply won’t register their dogs with the district.
Mayor Ernie Daykin noted it wasn’t large breeds that posed a threat, in his experience.
“As a paperboy, it wasn’t the big dogs that bit me, it was the little ones,” Daykin said. “But they don’t do as much damage.”
Related story:
Pitbulls have bad rep, keeps people from adopting them:
SPCA Organization urging you to consider bringing one of them into your home
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - If you're in the market for a new best friend, how about a pitbull? The SPCA fears a bad reputation is preventing you from bringing home a good potential pet.
"What a gentle, loving breed it is," says Lorie Chortyk with the SPCA. A quick look through the website of dogs up for adoption shows a lot of pitbulls.
"We have a bit of a challenge," she reveals. "Even though we have amazing, gentle, beautiful family dogs, because of public perceptions about the breed, sometimes people are a little bit reluctant."
She's quick to point out pitbulls are not born aggressive, dangerous dogs. "I think it is true of any breed, if it's not raised properly and it's encouraged to have certain behaviours, it can be dangerous."
Ten years ago, things were different; people haven't always been fearful of the breed. "Sometimes it's German Shepherds that people are very frightened of, [or] maybe Dobermans. The breed shifts over the years and I think it has a lot to do with reports of dog bites."
Statistically, Chortyk says pitbulls actually bite less than other breeds, though they do have strong jaws, which could mean more damage if it happens.
If you're in the market for a pup, Chortyk has one main suggestion. "Really get to know the individual dog because sometimes people will just choose a dog based on appearance and that's not really the best way to make a match."
She claims people need to know the SPCA would not put a dangerous pet up for adoption. While there are many pitbulls and other large dogs available, Chortyk insists they do not give up on finding the dogs homes and keep them as long as necessary. The average dog spends about three weeks with the SPCA.
For people looking for smaller dogs, you won't find many on the website because they get taken so quickly. You'll have to visit your local shelter to see those dogs.
Chortyk also suggests you don't just consider cute little puppies, but rather older pets who have already established behaviour and still have lots of love to give.
The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.
Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees.
The proposed animal control bylaw was brought to council for discussion Monday morning, and is meant to replace the District’s outdated one, which dates back to 1977.
Maple Ridge bylaws director Liz Holitzki said the singling out of pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and the SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls in particular.
“It’s not unusual to have a total ban, but that’s not the way to go,” Holitzki told council.
However, while many communities have chosen to enact similar bylaws singling out a particular breed, they have had little positive effect, according to Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA.
“The issue isn’t the breed of dogs, it’s the dog owners who aren’t being responsible,” she said.
The SPCA doesn’t support breed-specific bans or bylaws, because such legislation punishes responsible dog owners instead of encouraging them, and provides a false sense of security for residents.
Among the breeds most often associated with dog bites, Chortyk said golden retrievers and Chihuahuas are the worst offenders.
“Pit bulls are actually way down the list,” she said.
Other breeds are often mistaken for pit bulls, which has unfairly given the breed a bad reputation.
“Any time there’s a stocky short-haired dog that’s involved in a dog bite and runs off, its automatically a pit bull,” said Chortyk. “But that’s not always the case.”
In some jurisdictions in the U.S., dozens of breeds have been banned over the past decades as problem owners move on to different types of dogs.
“But they are still having problems, because their laws don’t deal with the dog owners.”
Any dog with strong jaws and a prey drive needs to be well-managed, but pit bulls aren’t the only breed to fall into that category. Chortyk suggested offering a discount on licenses to dog owners who can prove their dog has successfully passed obedience school would be more effective.
“That way it’s not punitive to responsible dog owners,” she said.
Requiring all male dogs to be neutered would also help to prevent dog bites, as well as keep the dog population under control.
However, Holitzki noted that the SPCA has a different mandate than Maple Ridge bylaws enforcement, and that it was important for the district to act first to protect residents from aggressive dogs to prevent dog attacks.
“We look to protect the residents as opposed to the animal,” Holitzki said. “But certainly we can wait and react when someone gets bit.”
Councillors also expressed trepidation at including breed-specific language in the bylaw.
“It’s a bit discriminatory,” said Coun. Mike Morden. “I’d like to see these dogs dealt with on an individual basis.”
He added that if the licensing fee is made to be exorbitant, owners of aggressive dogs simply won’t register their dogs with the district.
Mayor Ernie Daykin noted it wasn’t large breeds that posed a threat, in his experience.
“As a paperboy, it wasn’t the big dogs that bit me, it was the little ones,” Daykin said. “But they don’t do as much damage.”
Related story:
Pitbulls have bad rep, keeps people from adopting them:
SPCA Organization urging you to consider bringing one of them into your home
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - If you're in the market for a new best friend, how about a pitbull? The SPCA fears a bad reputation is preventing you from bringing home a good potential pet.
"What a gentle, loving breed it is," says Lorie Chortyk with the SPCA. A quick look through the website of dogs up for adoption shows a lot of pitbulls.
"We have a bit of a challenge," she reveals. "Even though we have amazing, gentle, beautiful family dogs, because of public perceptions about the breed, sometimes people are a little bit reluctant."
She's quick to point out pitbulls are not born aggressive, dangerous dogs. "I think it is true of any breed, if it's not raised properly and it's encouraged to have certain behaviours, it can be dangerous."
Ten years ago, things were different; people haven't always been fearful of the breed. "Sometimes it's German Shepherds that people are very frightened of, [or] maybe Dobermans. The breed shifts over the years and I think it has a lot to do with reports of dog bites."
Statistically, Chortyk says pitbulls actually bite less than other breeds, though they do have strong jaws, which could mean more damage if it happens.
If you're in the market for a pup, Chortyk has one main suggestion. "Really get to know the individual dog because sometimes people will just choose a dog based on appearance and that's not really the best way to make a match."
She claims people need to know the SPCA would not put a dangerous pet up for adoption. While there are many pitbulls and other large dogs available, Chortyk insists they do not give up on finding the dogs homes and keep them as long as necessary. The average dog spends about three weeks with the SPCA.
For people looking for smaller dogs, you won't find many on the website because they get taken so quickly. You'll have to visit your local shelter to see those dogs.
Chortyk also suggests you don't just consider cute little puppies, but rather older pets who have already established behaviour and still have lots of love to give.