Bad dog law won't work, committee hears

New Brunswick, Canada -- Animal groups and dog owners say a plan to restrict certain breeds will not result in fewer dog attacks.

More than 30 people offered their opinions about Bill 55 on Tuesday, the first of a two-day hearing on legislation proposed by Fredericton Fort-Nashwaak MLA Kelly Lamrock.

# From Sept. 23, 2004: Have your say on dangerous dog bill

Lamrock tabled his private member's bill in the legislature last year in response to several high-profile cases of dog attacks on children and small pets. In one case, a four-year-old boy was mauled to death by Rottweilers in his father's yard.

In another case, a runaway Rottweiler attacked and killed a much smaller dog, which was on a leash, on a walking trail in Fredericton.

# From August 24, 2004: Owner says Rottweiler was a 'gentle giant'

The law would force owners of Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers and Akitas to keep their dogs muzzled in public and to hold at least $1 million worth of liability insurance.

# RELATED LINK: Download the proposed legislation (pdf)

Clive Wilkinson of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada told the committee reviewing Bill 55 that the province should be cracking down on dog owners, not the animals.

Wilkinson says that approach has worked in Calgary. "They strictly enforce the laws that are already in place, particularly leash laws. That dogs must be on a lead, you must licence them. And if you don't do those two things, then there's very strict fines for breaking the law. They've reduced their dog bites by 70 per cent since they've introduced this strict enforcement of the law. So it has shown that by doing this, you can take a bite out of dog bites."

Wilkinson also opposes the idea of liability insurance. He says that would penalize the majority of dog owners whose animals are not a threat.

Cheryl Egerton of the Fredericton Kennel Club also says Bill 55 is a bad idea, and the province needs to simply dedicate more money to enforce the animal control laws already in place. "It's a negative bill. It does nothing to train people, to educate people, to show them the avenues they need to go to."

Egerton says educating owners on how to raise and treat dogs is a better option.

Fredericton SPCA president Janet Jenkins agrees that dogs need to be controlled, but says targeting specific breeds is not the answer. She plans to tell the committee that the plan to require dogs to be chained and muzzled contravenes current legislation. "It would legislate the inhumane treatment of dogs."

Lamrock says he'll be listening with interest to Jenkins' concerns and is looking forward to the debate. Members of the public will be able to offer input on Tuesday and Wednesday. "If there's a better way to do it, that's fine. When I introduced this bill I said I was open to other ways to do it."

Some municipalities across New Brunswick are considering similar legislation.

In August, the town of Quispamsis passed a new animal control bylaw granting a municipal committee the power to declare some dogs as fierce and dangerous.

Those dogs need a special licence and must be muzzled when they leave their owners' property.

As well, the owners of those dogs must post a sign on the home warning people about the animal. If the committee is still concerned about the dog, it will have the power to order the dog be killed.