Saanich dog owners should be aware that the Animal Bylaw has been revised
to include a new category: "aggressive" dogs. Unfortunately, the wording
of the new law is vague enough to allow a great deal of latitude
for interpretation, which means even normal, non-dangerous canine behaviour
could be labeled aggressive. Concerned dog owners should write to the
Mayor and Council and send a copy to Citizen Canine. The paper trail can be
found at:
http://www.gov.saanich.bc.ca/municipal/clerks/ccw/packages/may14dii.pdf

Once again, the Municipality of Saanich has disregarded and disrespected a
third of its households by failing to consult with dog owners when creating
bylaws which directly affect them. The problem of aggressive dogs can be
dealt with in other ways, such as educating owners about responsible
ownership, enforcement of existing bylaws, and through training and
behaviour modification. Citizen Canine is always available and eager to
consult with and advise the Mayor and Council on dog-related issues on
behalf of our many members residing in Saanich.

The existing "Dangerous Dog" designation is very serious, and places
onerous legal restrictions and obligations on the dog's owner, including:

1. the dog must be leashed and muzzled whenever it is in a public place

2. the dog must be kept in the owner's house, or a locked, enclosed pen
(at least 6'x4'x6'), outside.

3. the Pound Keeper or anyone else may impound a dangerous dog which they
find in a place or circumstances other than those required, above

4. the owner must post a sign that warns the public about the dog

5. the owner must inform the Pound Inspector if the dog is sold, dies,
gets loose, or bites/attacks any person or farm animal

The amendment to the Animal Bylaw creates a new category: "Aggressive Dog"
which is defined as any dog which:

a) has, without provocation, bitten or caused non-serious injury to a
person or another animal while on public property or while on private
property other than the property owned or occupied by the person responsible
for the dog; or

b) a Pound Inspector has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to cause
injury to a person, companion animal, or a domestic animal.

Dogs which are designated aggressive will be subject to the same legal
restrictions and obligations as dangerous dogs, with the exception of the
requirement to post a sign.

What this means, for example, is that if your overly-friendly dog jumps up
on someone in a park to greet them and scratches them accidentally, the dog
could be designated aggressive and would never be allowed off-leash or
un-muzzled in public again. Plus, the dog couldn't even be loose in it's
own backyard anymore. And you'd have to pay $75 per year to license it.

This is incredibly heavy-handed, arbitrary, and unfair. The wording of the
amendment is vague and open to interpretation. What constitutes
"provocation"? What are the "reasonable grounds" for a Pound Inspector to
believe that a dog is likely to cause injury? Non-aggressive dogs can cause
"non-serious" injuries by accident. Normal, harmless canine interaction is
often perceived as aggressive behaviour by the uninformed.

There is still time to let Saanich Council know the ramifications to dog
owners of such a vague and uninformed definition of an "aggressive dog."
The bylaw amendment is on the agenda to receive three readings at the next
Saanich Council Meeting on Monday, May 28th. While the public cannot speak
at Council meetings, Councilors can receive email and faxed letters of
concern. See the attached link for Monday's agenda:

http://www.gov.saanich.bc.ca/municipal/clerks/ccw/agendas/2007/may28agenda.pdf

If you are worried about a bylaw that gives Saanich pound officers the
power to impose this designation on a dog that simply bites or causes an
injury of any kind to a person or another animal, or is even perceived as
likely to do this, please contact Saanich Council right away by fax (250)
475-5440 or by email at clerksec@saanich.ca

(From the District of Saanich Website)

How to Present an Issue to Council What To Do
If you have an issue you wish to be considered by Council, submit a letter
addressed to Mayor and Council outlining your concerns and either:

Mail it to: Mayor and Council, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7
Email us at: clerksec@saanich.ca
Fax us at: (250) 475-5440

What Happens Next?
Your request is forwarded to the appropriate department for a direct
response to you or for a report to Council. If a report to Council is
requested, the matter will be scheduled for consideration at a Committee
of the Whole meeting once the report is received. The Municipal Clerk's
Office will advise you when the meeting has been scheduled in order that you
may attend and make representation to Council if you so wish.