January 27, 2003

Mayor Anderson and Council
District of Tofino
121-3rd Street, Box 9, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0
email: alander@island.net

Dear Mayor Anderson and Councillors,

Animal Advocates Society of BC is writing in support of the proposed Humane Treatment of Dogs bylaw submitted by Tofino resident Crystal Kerr, and to urge you to stop the cruel isolation and suffering of tethered and chained yard dogs in Tofino.

The AAS web site is urging its many readers (over 6500 hits a day) not to vacation in Tofino until this out-dated, inhumane treatment stops. Dogs are pack animals by nature and to isolate a dog from any social interaction by keeping it alone, tied in a backyard, is one of the most cruel things a society can do. A dog that is kept away from humans and others dogs is a frightened, lonely, bored, and frustrated animal that has the known and documented potential to become aggressive and dangerous.

Isolating a dog is not only inherently cruel, but poses an unfair risk to the public. People who own dogs have a responsibility to provide them with social interaction with humans and other dogs and a basic level of medical care. Municipalities who risk the safety of its citizens, predominately children, by ignoring the danger of desocialized yard dogs, are themselves running the risk of being sued for not taking steps to prevent attacks.

We implore you and this council to adopt the proposed bylaw to protect these animals and provide an example to British Columbia, showing that Tofino is a humane, community driven vacation destination and a place where we can be proud to spend our tourist dollars.

Judy Stone
President, Animal Advocates Society of BC