I am growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of response by the City of Vancouver and its pound and the BC SPCA over backyard dogs. Time and time again AAS has warned about what happens to dogs who are not socialized properly. All of these parties know DARN well the dangers to citizens with all these backyard, chained up large dogs. What IS the city waiting for???? It seems to me they ARE waiting for a child to be killed before finally enacting some laws to protect dogs from the cruelty of isolation and to protect the citizens from unsocialized dogs. There have been MANY competent dog behavioural experts who can testify that dogs who are unsocialized do BITE. We have seen this happen.

What in the world is going on here?? Why has the SPCA not done anything at all??

I go back to the Dalmatian that has lived by my mother-in law's house for 7 years. She complained about the total isolation this dog has received, numerous neighbours have complained. I have complained. All of these people have complained to the SPCA and to the pound that this dog is left in a backyard all the time, or kept in the garage. It has never been socialized around people as the dog has never been around people. I have warned the city that if this dog hurts my child, or anyone in the neighbourhood I will sue and would encourage anyone else to do the same. Any why? BECAUSE the SPCA and the City KNOWS the dangers of unsocialized dogs. It is totally distressing to hear this Dalmatian day after day crying at his owners inside the house. When anyone complains to the neighbours they put this poor dog in the garage...even further isolation. It disgusts me that the SPCA allows this to happen.

I hope someone sues the City and the SPCA one day for their total lack of action and compassion for animals.
Lori Cumiskey