Proposed Maple Ridge bylaw to single out pit bulls

[MindBomber]

District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.

The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees.

The proposed animal control bylaw was brought to council for discussion Monday morning, and is meant to replace the District’s outdated one, which dates back to 1977.

Maple Ridge bylaws director Liz Holitzki said the singling out of pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and the SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls in particular.

“It’s not unusual to have a total ban, but that’s not the way to go,” Holitzki told council.

However, while many communities have chosen to enact similar bylaws singling out a particular breed, they have had little positive effect, according to Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA.

“The issue isn’t the breed of dogs, it’s the dog owners who aren’t being responsible,” she said.

The SPCA doesn’t support breed-specific bans or bylaws, because such legislation punishes responsible dog owners instead of encouraging them, and provides a false sense of security for residents.

Among the breeds most often associated with dog bites, Chortyk said golden retrievers and Chihuahuas are the worst offenders.

“Pit bulls are actually way down the list,” she said.

Other breeds are often mistaken for pit bulls, which has unfairly given the breed a bad reputation.

“Any time there’s a stocky short-haired dog that’s involved in a dog bite and runs off, its automatically a pit bull,” said Chortyk. “But that’s not always the case.”

In some jurisdictions in the U.S., dozens of breeds have been banned over the past decades as problem owners move on to different types of dogs.

“But they are still having problems, because their laws don’t deal with the dog owners.”

Any dog with strong jaws and a prey drive needs to be well-managed, but pit bulls aren’t the only breed to fall into that category. Chortyk suggested offering a discount on licenses to dog owners who can prove their dog has successfully passed obedience school would be more effective.

“That way it’s not punitive to responsible dog owners,” she said.

Requiring all male dogs to be neutered would also help to prevent dog bites, as well as keep the dog population under control.

However, Holitzki noted that the SPCA has a different mandate than Maple Ridge bylaws enforcement, and that it was important for the district to act first to protect residents from aggressive dogs to prevent dog attacks.

“We look to protect the residents as opposed to the animal,” Holitzki said. “But certainly we can wait and react when someone gets bit.”

Councillors also expressed trepidation at including breed-specific language in the bylaw.

“It’s a bit discriminatory,” said Coun. Mike Morden. “I’d like to see these dogs dealt with on an individual basis.”

He added that if the licensing fee is made to be exorbitant, owners of aggressive dogs simply won’t register their dogs with the district.

Mayor Ernie Daykin noted it wasn’t large breeds that posed a threat, in his experience.

“As a paperboy, it wasn’t the big dogs that bit me, it was the little ones,” Daykin said. “But they don’t do as much damage.”

Related story:
Pitbulls have bad rep, keeps people from adopting them:
SPCA Organization urging you to consider bringing one of them into your home

Spoiler!

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - If you're in the market for a new best friend, how about a pitbull? The SPCA fears a bad reputation is preventing you from bringing home a good potential pet.

"What a gentle, loving breed it is," says Lorie Chortyk with the SPCA. A quick look through the website of dogs up for adoption shows a lot of pitbulls.

"We have a bit of a challenge," she reveals. "Even though we have amazing, gentle, beautiful family dogs, because of public perceptions about the breed, sometimes people are a little bit reluctant."

She's quick to point out pitbulls are not born aggressive, dangerous dogs. "I think it is true of any breed, if it's not raised properly and it's encouraged to have certain behaviours, it can be dangerous."

Ten years ago, things were different; people haven't always been fearful of the breed. "Sometimes it's German Shepherds that people are very frightened of, [or] maybe Dobermans. The breed shifts over the years and I think it has a lot to do with reports of dog bites."

Statistically, Chortyk says pitbulls actually bite less than other breeds, though they do have strong jaws, which could mean more damage if it happens.

If you're in the market for a pup, Chortyk has one main suggestion. "Really get to know the individual dog because sometimes people will just choose a dog based on appearance and that's not really the best way to make a match."

She claims people need to know the SPCA would not put a dangerous pet up for adoption. While there are many pitbulls and other large dogs available, Chortyk insists they do not give up on finding the dogs homes and keep them as long as necessary. The average dog spends about three weeks with the SPCA.

For people looking for smaller dogs, you won't find many on the website because they get taken so quickly. You'll have to visit your local shelter to see those dogs.

Chortyk also suggests you don't just consider cute little puppies, but rather older pets who have already established behaviour and still have lots of love to give.

[Lomac]

My ex has a pit bull and it's probably the sweetest dog I've ever seen. It's adopted from the local SPCA up near Vernon as the previous owner had obviously done some sort of beating on him. Despite the mistreatment, however, I have never seen a dog act so gingerly around her children. The dog, Priest, basically adopted her youngest daughter (a 5 year old) and basically just followed her around everywhere she went. Not only that, but Priest would just curl up next to you at bed time, lick your face, and go to sleep.

Another friend also has a pit bull and it's much the same story. True, he's a little wary around people he's never met before, but so long as you let him come to you, he will then turn into a giant mush ball.

It's a shame that pit bulls have such a bad reputation, and that there are certain owners that do absolutely nothing to curb their stereotype. There really needs to be more public education to show just how docile these dogs can be.

[dlo]

Fuckin bullshit lol pitbulls are the most loving and kind hearted dogs out there, never ran into a aggressive one ever and doubt I ever will, fuck the stereotypes

[Teh Doucher]

since we're on the subject, does anyone know of the good local breeders? im looking for a pitty.

[Manic!]

This is just raciest.

[Nlkko]

What the fuck bylaw is that. Don't these people watch Cesar Millan? You would think this cunt Liz Holitzki actually have a TV?

This law is supposed to "encourage responsible pet ownership"? The fuck I don't even.

[Soundy]

"The proposed animal control bylaw was brought to council for discussion Monday morning, and is meant to replace the District’s outdated one, which dates back to 1977."

Why... are pitbulls different now than they were in '77?

Originally Posted by Nlkko

The fuck I don't even.

[westopher]

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees.


Maple Ridge bylaws director Liz Holitzki said the singling out of pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and the SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls in particular.

Wow I can see how charging me $200 a year to punish me for adopting a neglected pit bull from animal control promotes responsible ownership. Fuck you, you stupid cunt. Not that I live in maple ridge, so it doesn't directly affect me, I have to ask how they haven't learned over the decades of breed scapegoating. Dobermans, german shepards, rottweilers, and now pitbulls.
Vicious as fuck......
Also I'm sure the 2 year old that could barely walk and gave monty a big hug with out warning at the beach, and the 2 month old lab puppy that cuddled and played with him, who were both greeted with nothing but a calm lick and tail wag would agree how terrifying this 10 month old pit bull/shepard cross really is.

[westopher]

Here is one more of this dangerous monster with the lab puppy

[Selanne_200]

This angers me not because of the fact that they are singling out pitbulls, but they are putting up bylaws without even understand the roots of the problems. It's almost always the owner that's at fault when it comes to an agressive dog attack/bite incident, whether that be not training the dog properly, or neglecting the dog. I have a 2 year old lab that used to play with this pitbull, and the pitbull's owner was always complaing about how the dog isn't behaving right but they don't realize the fact that walking the dog for only 15 mins a day and then leaving him out in the yard all day isn't exactly call responsible dog ownership. Having said that, with the right guidance, there's nothing wrong with the pitbull and he was able to socialize and play with my dog quite well, with the occational rough play that I stop immediately. I think a lot of the small dogs are quite yappy and they instigate a lot of negative interaction between dogs, and just because they're small, people brush it off as a non-issue but when a medium to large dog even barks once, they get all up in arms saying how a dog is agressive. /rant

[spyker]

BSL laws are are always stupid and never work,they cause more trouble than what they are "suppose" to prevent.