Dog ban targets specific breeds
Council moves to have bylaw debated in public

Dave Hall
Windsor Star

July 27, 2004

Four days after a four-year-old Windsor boy became the latest victim in a string of dog attacks, city council approved the first and second reading of a new bylaw banning specific breeds of dogs and referred the issue to the licensing commission which will hold a public meeting Aug. 17.

Following that meeting, the commission will make recommendations to city council prior to final reading of the bylaw.

"I believe the time is right to enact such a bylaw and that the community is expressing grave concerns about safety in their neighbourhoods," said Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, who supports a ban.

"The events of the past few days have obviously done nothing to change my opinion.

"And I understand the nature of the issue because I've received numerous calls from people who own pit bulls who have told me their dog would never attack people.

"But I'm guessing that every owner of every pit bull thinks that until an attack occurs," said Gignac. "I know there's the potential to penalize responsible owners, but you can say that about firearms legislation as well. To me, it's simply an issue of public safety."

The bylaw, which is modelled after one adopted by the City of Kitchener, would ban pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bulls and any dogs which have the appearance and physical characteristics predominantly conforming to the standards for such breeds as set down by the Canadian and American Kennel Clubs.

But opponents of the breed-specific ban claim that it unfairly targets responsible dog owners and that the onus for control of such dogs lies with the owner.

In a letter to councillors dated July 26, Tricia Barrett, breed-specific legislation co-chairwoman for the Rottweiler Club of Canada, said that numerous experts "have agreed that breed bans are not effective for their intended purpose: safety of the public.

"Encouraging responsible ownership, education of children, implementing bylaws that punish those who are not responsible (owners) and giving law enforcement the ability to apply the laws has proven to be efficient and effective," said Barrett.

Barrett also said that "previously irresponsible owners simply shift breeds, responsible owners are punished, an underground market for dogs emerges and irresponsible owners will simply hide their dogs which limits the dog's exposure, socialization and training opportunities."

Councillor Alan Halberstadt said he had reservations about the process used to develop the bylaw and also, "in light of the fact that rottweilers are now getting involved and, in some instances, even dobermanns."

On Friday, four-year-old Joey Meloche was bitten on the cheek and in the eyebrow area while walking with his mother in the 700 block of Bruce Avenue. Meloche was bitten by a black-brown rottweiler-pit bull mix which was on a leash. At the time, the person accompanying the dog left the scene but has since been found and arrested on unrelated charges.

dhall@thestar.canwest.com or 255-5777, ext. 408.