Delta Optimist - June 12, 2010 by Glacier Community Publishing

A04 The Delta Optimist June 12, 2010

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Pit bulls would no longer automatically be labeled as aggressive dogs if proposed municipal legislation is approved.

PHOTO

Delta looks to remove pit bull designation from civic bylaw Proposed legislation would eliminate any mention of specific breeds BY

SANDOR GYARMATI

sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com

Pit bulls in Delta could soon find themselves no longer automatically labeled as aggressive. As part of a series of proposed changes to the municipality’s animal control bylaw, there’s consideration of removing a breed-specific aggressive dog designation. The category includes pit

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bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers or any mixed breed that includes any of those dogs. Enacted in the early 1990s, the bylaw requires pit bulls to be leashed and muzzled when outside or kept in a roofed enclosure with a wooden or concrete floor. Even pit bulls with no history of viciousness fall under the bylaw. At a Delta council workshop several weeks ago, civic politicians were told that research by staff on the topic hasn’t been able to locate any studies that found a specific list of dogs are more genetically prone to fight or kill other animals or people. A report by CAO George Harvie said it appears animal behaviour is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. Some of those factors include the owner’s maturity level and ability to meet necessary time commitments of dog ownership. Other factors include whether a dog is spayed or neutered. The report noted, “If council wishes, staff could remove pit bulls from the definition of ‘aggressive dog’ and replace it with ‘is owned or harboured for the purpose of dog fighting and/or trained for dog fighting.’ This would also require the removal of the

definition of pit bull.” involved in an incident as The report states that if aggressive or dangerous, council wants to continue but there is no penalty with the breed-specific imposed on the aggressive approach of labeling pit act itself. bulls as The addition aggresof a new section “We’re looking at sive, it in the bylaw putting the burden might would allow also want on the owners to be animal control to include staff to issue a responsible, to be other “heavier ticket” breeds. educated and they’re when a dog Coun. a person the ones who create, injures Robert or other animal Campbell or not, an aggressive than could be told the imposed for a or dangerous Optimist, dog running animal.” however, at large. Fines Robert Campbell there’s no could range evidence from $200 for to suggest any breed is siga first offence up to $1,000 nificantly more dangerous. for a third offence. “We’re looking at putting Meanwhile, the municithe burden on the owners pality is planning to estabto be responsible, to be lish certain parks as offeducated and they’re the leash for dogs. ones who create, or not, an “What we’re asking for aggressive or dangerous council’s permission, and animal,” he said. this has been passed by The report to coun(parks and recreation) comcil states the Canadian mission, is to allow the Veterinary Medical establishment of a number Association, American of off-leash areas in certain Society for the Prevention parks. They’ll all be outof Cruelty to Animals and lined in a report,” Campbell the B.C Society for the said. Prevention of Cruelty to “They’ll be a minimal Animals all oppose breed cost over the first year and specific legislation. we’ll monitor that to see The report also had a what kind of buy-in there series of other proposed is from the community and changes, including adding a what the success rate is. If section making it an offence it appears to be worthwhile, to allow a dog to injure then we’ll look for approval a person or other animal. to formalize some of the Currently, bylaw officers areas in terms of fencing are able to designate a dog and other things.”