Dear Editor:
Due to recent media attention given to dog bites in B.C., we want to discuss the issue of breed specific legislation (BSL).
BSL can either mean a complete ban on owning specific breeds, or it can define controls and conditions for keeping what are deemed vicious breeds of dogs. Ontario has a province-wide ban on pit bulls and similar breeds, and there is a call for a similar law in B.C.
New Westminster currently has breed specific provisions in its animal control by-law, wherein breeds deemed to be vicious are listed and regulations on how they are to be kept and controlled when in public are outlined.
For many people, BSL seems like an obvious solution; however, animal experts say that this legislation does not reduce dog bites and attacks, primarily because when people are prevented from owning certain types of dogs, especially those individuals who specifically want to train a dog to be aggressive and dangerous to others, they simply move on to other breeds.
For instance, the list of dogs defined as dangerous in New Westminster's original BSL bylaw had to be expanded to include many new breeds when, in order to bypass the bylaw restrictions on pit bulls and related breeds, people started to import breeds such as cane corso, Argentinan dogo, presa canario and fila Brasileiro.
What is apparent here is that it is people and not dogs that are the root of the problem. Given the right circumstances, any dog can bite.
In findings published by the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science from a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, the top three breeds known to bite are dachshunds, chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers. Of larger breeds, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherds have been reported for biting more often than pit bulls.
Some irresponsible people do train their dogs to be vicious; but many well-meaning dog owners simply do not understand what signs indicate discomfort in their animals, or what human behaviours can provoke their dogs to bite.
Besides something as obvious as growling, signs of discomfort in dogs can be more subtle, such as not wanting to approach a person, ear and tail position (a wagging tail does not necessarily mean they are friendly); turning the head and avoiding eye contact; lip curl; raised hackles.
Human triggers include loud, energetic play; screaming or squealing; play fighting; hugging or other physical contact with the dog; crowding the dog or coming between the dog and owner.
Education about human/dog interactions is important for everyone, especially children and those caring for them. Children should never be left unsupervised with any breed of dog.
Plus, it is every dog owner's responsibility to be aware of their surrounding environment, their dog's personality, and to teach their dog to be gentle with their mouth and the command "drop it."
World-renowned dog trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar has developed a six-level system to describe bite severity, with level one being obnoxious, aggressive behaviour but no teeth on skin contact and level six death of the victim.
Level two is a bite and release that does not break skin. According to Dr. Dunbar, levels one and two comprise more than 99 per cent of all dog incidents. Sadly, any dog bite, regardless of severity, can result in the dog being put to death.
Many so-called dog attacks are actually level-three bites. (The human equivalent to a level-three bite would be a hard shove or hit that could result in injury.)
When a dog bites, people tend to panic and try to pull the dog away. The dog becomes more agitated and hangs on, increasing injury.
Media ignorance about what constitutes the difference between a bite and an attack, coupled with sensationalist reporting rather than unbiased journalism, leads to public hysteria around pit bulls.
The whole topic of BSL needs thought-l, informed and rational discussion.
To this end, HugABull Advocacy and Rescue Society are screening Beyond the Myth, a documentary about BSL and its effects on dogs and families on October 20 and 28. See http: //hugabull.com/ events/btm.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Cheryl Rogers, New Westminster
and Theresa Laviolette, Surrey
