On June 20th the Courier printed an article about the poisoning of a Fila Brasileiros Mastiff dog in Vancouver. This is how a breeder's web site describes these 100 lb+ dogs: Of all breeds, Fila Brasileiros have the most extreme aversion to strangers. Without extensive socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, and in such a powerful and determined dog, this can be dangerous. Fila Brasileiros may try to protect their own children from other children, which could lead to tragedy if kids are simply roughhousing and your Fila Brasileiro decides to stop it.

Is there never to be a limit to the size and breed of dogs that are on Vancouver's streets? The dogs that attacked Shenica White were assumed by experts to be part Mastiff. Lower Mainland breeders are advertising 150 lb "manstopper" breeds as the "ultimate protection weapons". Presa Canarios, the breed that killed Diane Whipple in San Francisco are being bred and sold here. A terrifying cross of Pit bull and Presa Canario is being sold here. There is at least one Mastiff backyard breeder right in Vancouver which we have told the City about, even supplying photos and video. We didn't even get a reply from the City.

The City's Pound claims that it does not keep records of the breeds of dogs in its bites database. This is not believable, but if true, it is inexplicably irresponsible because the Pound exists to protect people from dogs and it can't do that properly if it is not keeping complete data.

Animal Advocates knows that big protection dogs, and fighting dogs like Pit bulls, usually live short, unhappy lives of isolation in pens and on chains, or never allowed the socialization that is central to a dog's mental health. They are frequently dumped at pounds and SPCAs to be disposed of - at the taxpayer's and donator's expense - when they are no longer useful. Pit bull rescue is almost non-existent, and there are no rescue organizations for the monster breeds. No one will be able to save the lives of these innocent dogs when their numbers increase - as they are now. And no one will be able to stop one of these dogs from killing once one starts an attack. Animal Advocates will be phoned by desperate neighbours begging for help when the City and the SPCA will do nothing, and we won't be able to help.

Judith Stone, President,
Animal Advocates Society of BC
www.animaladvocates.com