LETTER

Put an end to biting dogs

 

The issue of dangerous dogs and “pit bull” type dogs have been in the headlines for months, fueling an emotional public debate.  Montreal’s proposed legislation faces a coming vote.

Public safety and animal welfare are not incompatible. Targeting or prohibiting a breed will not solve the problem; it will make it worse.

Let stop dwelling on breeds and types of dogs; rather, let’s focus on the core issue: the regulation of dangerous dogs. Recently, the show Découverte on Radio-Canada demystified the myths surrounding “pit bull”-type dogs. The scientific facts are:
- Any dog could become dangerous, regardless of breed.
- Dogs with inappropriate behavior must be controlled and managed.
- The environment in which a dog is raised, socialized, and trained are key factors which shape the behaviour of a dog, regardless of the type or breed.

It is also important to note that breed-specific legislation (BSL) is ineffective and unenforceable in the field. To ensure human and animal safety, the government and municipalities must adopt different solutions by applying proven and effective solutions which are supported by experts within the domain. SPAs and SPCAs recommend that municipalities adopt measures such as strict penalties to effectively manage dangerous dogs.

Through our campaign, the public can discover scientific facts and take a stance via proposed actions on a website, endthedebate.ca:  write to their MNA, sign an online petition against banning pit bull-type dogs.    

France Dubois
Director – SPCA de l’Outaouais
Gatineau