By: Samantha Haines
Reg. Animal Health Technologist
Before I even start, I would like to make one thing very clear: The following is my own personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Sechelt Animal Hospital.
I don’t pretend to know exactly what went down that day with Emma, but in the article it says that the dog was owned by a neighbor, and that everyone was together at a BBQ. I know that even the best of dogs can become agitated when confronted with children, delicious food and lots of people, especially if it’s all at once; given the circumstances, I am certainly not placing blame on anyone. Now don't get me wrong, in light of what happened I agree that this particular dog should be put down, but is banning the breed really going to solve anything?
I know of a few people that have moved to BC specifically because of the Pit Bull ban in Ontario. If we start banning the breed here, we are going to lose more people to other provinces, particularly young people, which (according to the article) are the primary owner of the breed, and we all know that BC is drastically lacking young families (especially around the Sunshine Coast).
I am a veterinary professional, I have never been bitten by a pitty, and in fact I prefer working with Pit Bulls over Chihuahuas or Dachshunds (aka: the Land Sharks)! At the end of the day, I treat every dog that I see, in or out of my job, with caution, because they are ALL potentially dangerous; however, they also ALL have an equal potential to be wonderful.
Pit Bulls are generally gentle creatures and have a high tolerance for pain, but when and if they bite they can do a lot of damage. True, their jaws are stronger than most breeds, and they are bred to fight, but they are bred to fight other dogs, not their owners. There are many other breeds that have been bred for fighting and/or taking down their prey - Karelian Bear Dog, Akita, Rottweiler and even the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Should we start banning these breeds by association?
Then there’s the child-dog dynamic. This can be a wonderful relationship, but the fact is that 73% of dog bite injuries involve children (regardless of breed). A child and a dog should never be left alone together. I don't care if your Aunt says its ok, or your dog has never had a problem with kids. Kids move fast, they are not always aware of the things in their surroundings, they are even less aware of canine body language and behavior, and children can be unpredictable (just like dogs). Should we never allow our children to experience the joy that having a dog can bring? Of course not, but just as we teach our dogs to play nice with children, we must also teach our children to play nice with dogs. This involves teaching them about body language, warning signs, and appropriate responses.
In the online poll this article presents, the public is asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on whether or not B.C. should ban Pit Bulls. 60% of readers are saying "NO" to breed bans. This, in my opinion, is not a wide enough margin to draw conclusive results. The author talks about how “Pit Bull owners say many things in defense of their dogs”, but fails to mention the people who speak against the breed based on hearsay and myth.
There are only bad owners not bad dogs right? I have heard this many times, and I agree to some extent, but, as with most things in life, there are two sides to every story. Owners do need to take more responsibility for their dogs, and learn to seriously evaluate if a breed is right for their lifestyle and personality; for example, a young person who has had no experience with dogs should not be getting a Pit Bull just because they like the look of the dog, or just because they like the breed. However, a young person with both dog and breed experience, who has a good understanding of dog behavior and appropriate training methods would be a great Pit Bull owner. Unfortunately, people are not always smart about the decisions they make, and all too often this ends in disaster for the animals involved. By the same token, I believe that any dog has the ability to seriously harm a person under the right circumstances. Even the most well trained dog is just that... a dog. Their basic instincts remain unchanged, and we cannot expect them to be little humans in fur coats.
Why must we all feel the need to take our pets to public events where they may be put in a circumstance that they are uncomfortable with? I am the first one to admit that my dogs are part of my family; they were even included in my wedding ceremony. Yet, I know my dog’s limitations: I know that they are not comfortable with parades, fireworks, and other large gatherings. It’s not that I feel that they would hurt someone, but I can tell that they are out of their comfort zone, and are not enjoying themselves. Now many dogs do, but it is up to the owner to be able to read your dog’s body language and speak for your dog. Your dog trusts you and your leadership, therefore you should never put your dog in a situation where he/she would feel uncomfortable or threatened.
The article says "watch a dog park clear" when a Pit Bull arrives on the scene. This says absolutely nothing about the dog; however it paints a very clear picture on society’s perception of the breed. It just means that we have been made to believe that these dogs are dangerous. I have a German Shepard, so I often get a similar reaction from the poorly informed public. People and their dogs cross the street so they don't have to be near her, but I often find that both frustrating and enjoyable. On the plus side, I don't have people begging me to pet her, but on the negative I feel unfairly judged.
IF the breed is to be at fault, perhaps we can make the breeding and ownership of these dogs more difficult. The people who buy these dogs need to understand that their dog can be both a dangerous weapon AND a beloved family pet, and as such should be treated that way. Instead of banning the breed, make spaying and neutering mandatory, as well as training in obedience and body language for both owner and dog. Breeders should be regularly evaluated according to strict standards, and dangerously aggressive animals should be culled from breeding programs. Maybe this should be the norm for all dogs regardless of breed.
Links: Editorial in The Province
Karen Pryor Children and Dogs
Video for kids Part 1, Part 2
Dog bite support group
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