Dog owners speak out against ban

Canada East -- Eleven-year-old Clancy has been at Carol Randall's side every day for the last 10 years.

She fetches objects. She puts dirty clothes into the laundry basket. She carries Ms. Randall's briefcase. She even helps Ms. Randall, who suffers the effects of childhood polio and is confined to a wheelchair, take off her socks at the end of each day.

More than anything, though, Clancy provides Ms. Randall with freedom and mobility she might not otherwise enjoy.

But Clancy's also potentially dangerous and should be banned in New Brunswick, according to legislation introduced by the Liberals earlier this year.

Clancy is a working Rottweiler and the subject of an all-party, legislative hearing into banning dangerous dogs in New Brunswick, most notably four breeds.

Two days of hearings began Tuesday with dog lovers and nationally recognized kennel clubs defending their beloved companions.

"Most Rottweilers are considered valuable members of responsible family households. (This act) takes away much of my personal freedom by deeming my chosen breed of dog as a restricted dog.

"Life without my best friend is difficult to think of," a teary-eyed Ms. Randall said.

The New Brunswick act singles out the owners of Rottweilers, Japanese Akitas and Staffordshire bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers, which are both types of pit bulls.

Owners of these four breeds of dogs would be required to licence them as soon as they are three months old and carry liability insurance for at least $1 million.

The proposed legislation, which has passed a second reading in the House, and now sits with the legislative Law Amendments Committee, would also require owners of these four breeds to notify the Department of Public Safety of a change of address.

The dogs must be muzzled at all times when off the owner's property, on a leash no longer than two metres, or, while outdoors, be in an enclosed pen or on a chain that keeps the dog at least two metres from property boundaries at all times.

But dog owners and dog lovers who made presentations to the committee Tuesday said this proposed legislation puts too much emphasis on banning specific breeds, and not enough on dealing with dangerous dogs and irresponsible owners.

"The responsible owner regularly licenses his dog, walks it on a lead, and cleans up after his dog," said Clive Wilkinson, president of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada.

"An owner intent on using his or her dogs for malicious purposes will simply be able to switch to another type of dog and continue in jeopardizing public safety.

"Deeds not breeds should be addressed," he said.

Under current law a dog is deemed safe until it has knowingly bitten or attacked someone. Because of this, owners aren't held responsible when dogs bite or attack for the first time. In the case of these four breeds, that defence wouldn't apply. The dogs would be considered dangerous and owners would be responsible for the first bite or attack.

Dog breeders, kennels and humane agencies such as the SPCA and the Humane Society would be exempt from purchasing the insurance or licensing the dogs.

Several municipalities across Canada have banned breeds such as Rottweilers and pit bulls, including Guysborough, N.S., Moosomin, Sask., and Brampton, Ont.

In Edmonton, pit bulls are deemed restricted dogs and owners must pay $200 to license them annually. The dogs must be muzzled in public and on a leash less than two metres long.

Jane Jenkins, president of the Fredericton SPCA said breed specific legislation doesn't get at the problem of irresponsible dog owners.

"What's needed is a comprehensive law that looks at both ends of the leash," she said.

She recommended licensing fees that would generate enough revenue for the province to enforce current dog bylaws and promote education and awareness of dogs.

The legislation was introduced by Liberal MLA Kelly Lamrock (Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak) in response to the mauling death of James Waddell in 2003.

James, four, was attacked and killed by three Rottweilers at the Kingston Peninsula home of his father, Ron Waddell, in March 2003, less than two weeks before his fifth birthday. The dogs were owned by a friend of Mr. Waddell's, who was living in the home at the time.

Last November an inquest into his death heard testimony that the dogs responsible for James' death had never exhibited any signs of aggressive behaviour or acted erratically until the day of the fatal attack.

The hearing continues today with several presentations, including one from Paul Murphy, a Fredericton man whose Shih Tzu was killed by a Rottweiler early this fall.