City was warned of this

Judy Stone
The Province

Thursday, December 26, 2002

For more than a year, the Animal Advocates Society of B.C. has been urging the City of Vancouver to adopt bylaws to stop the inhumane suffering of isolated and desocialized yard/guard dogs.

We've supplied the city with reams of research proving severe attacks are almost always made by these yard/guard dogs, including many photos and reports of chained and isolated dogs being driven mad and made dangerous, either deliberately or by neglect.

The city has chosen to do nothing -- except kill the dogs after they have savaged a victim. Vancouver should enforce a bylaw to prevent attacks on victims.

We receive reports of suffering yard/guard dogs weekly. We recently received a report of a large dog, kept 24/7 in the yard or tied under a porch, that has already bitten at least one person. And although the city pound was told months ago, nothing has been done.

We warned the city it may be sued by victims for refusing to prevent the making of dogs which cause these foreseeable attacks. The city knows these dogs are high-risk, yet chooses to abrogate its duty to the safety of its citizens.

Judy Stone, president,

Animal Advocates Society of B.C.

© Copyright 2002 The Province