reply-to goldenruletraining@gmail.com
to Mayor.Mooney@townofyarmouth.ca,
DeputyMayor.Boudreau@townofyarmouth.ca,
Councillor.Dares@townofyarmouth.ca,
Councillor.Langille@townofyarmouth.ca,
Councillor.MacIsaac@townofyarmouth.ca,
Councillor.MacKenzie@townofyarmouth.ca,
Councillor.Pink@townofyarmouth.ca
cc ddexter.mla@gmail.com,
churchzj@gov.ns.ca
date Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Good Day Mayor and Councillors, Premier Dexter and MLA Churchill,
I am writing to you regarding the vicious dog attack in the town of Yarmouth. I am a dog trainer based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia working with many private clients and I also volunteer with the SPCA in dog care and training. I have worked with many pit bull dogs over my years of experience.
I know you are likely receiving a large amount of feedback over this issue so I will try to be brief.
I urge you to reject any legislative change that focus solely on the breed of dog in your by-law. I believe strongly in public safety and certainly in light of the vicious attack that happened in your town, the public expects action to prevent future attacks, but the draft by-law I have seen would not address that issue.
Aggressive dogs are for the most part, are created. Lack of socialization, poor living conditions, cruelty and punishment are what truly cause dog attacks.
In all vicious dog attacks you can usually find one common factor, and its not breed. It's that the dog did not have a high standard of care in the home.
I believe the best solution to this issue is to improve our level of animal education and animal care through-out Yarmouth, but also in all of Nova Scotia.
One of the best groups to deliver this message is the Nova Scotia SPCA, who are mandated to investigate cruelty to animals.
However the provincial government gives only a paltry sum of $3000 dollars to fund their entire cruelty and care organization - an organization whose total costs add up to close to a million dollars.
How can we hope to educate owners and prevent cruelty to animals that result in dog attacks - when the organization mandated for these things isn't funded by our government? In my option, relying on public donations to fund these important initiatives is not responsible governance.
I would ask that the town of Yarmouth, as part of its strategy in dealing with the aftermath of this attack - formally ask the provincial government to significantly increase the SPCA funding for investigating animal cruelty - and to provide education to the general public on the proper care of animals.
Preventing cruelty is the step towards preventing attacks on people. Requiring muzzles and legislating breeds are a piece-meal solution that will not get to the heart of the issue. Imagine how foolish this legislation will look if the next vicious attack comes at the hands of a german shepard, or mastiff, or even a golden retriever. Will we simply add to the breed list as attacks occur?
I would also suggest that instead of requiring breed specific dogs to wear a muzzle - instead order them to take a dog obedience course. I would suggest looking at a dogs ability to cause harm via its size (50lbs + perhaps) for these courses, not breed. Educating people one on one how to control their dog, get attention and obedience, and general animal care would go a long way to improving the living conditions of these dogs and preventing attacks.
I hope you will consider these suggestions in hopes of improving the safety of our citizens, and improving the lives of our canine companions.
Respectfully -
--
Tristan Flynn
www.goldenruletraining.ca
(902)-469-GRDT (4738)
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