Originally Posted by Stinkypup

I don't entirely agree with that statement. One could say you are in a position of knowledge, yes, one could also say that you are very experienced in bad dogs, dogs which are causing problems to the degree that Animal Control are called. That I fear is perhaps giving you a somewhat slanted view on things. I did the same as you, I wandered down the lanes with the assortment of dogs with no leads, no issues- we lived in rural areas. Here, I do walk Stinky on a leash as it is in a Provincial Park and we have to. Also, he might wander off piste and get bitten by a rattlesnake which at the minimum would cost us a fortune. He had however been to training after he came here and I have very good control of him. I feel that I am a responsible dog owner, I pick up after him and respect the other park users, including wildlife.

There are dogs, which you won't have encountered as an Animal Control Officer, owned by responsible dog owners who have control such as myself. Of course it bugs me when I see irresponsible owners (note I don't blame the dog per se) letting their dogs run free out of control. The 5 Rotties I described are amazingly well controlled and are clearly off lead. When away from the fields and woods in town they are.

As for answers, I don't have any easy ones. I don't think banning is easy, all dogs are dangerous, obviously some more than others. I think that Pit bulls have a perhaps well deserved aura of menace with expats here as they have been banned for eons. You could argue ban the dogs from a list similar to the Dangerous Dogs Act, that would make sense. But then you have the Mastiffs, Rotties, Staffies, English Bull Terrier, Malamutes, GSDs, Malinoires, Akitas, Huskies , and many more ... again, I ask , would you ban them all?

Dog owners are key to this, they I would agree have a more laissez faire in Canada which increases risks but a fair proportion of attacks are especially in the owners or neighbours homes/ gardens when leashes are not used. I personally would agree to a similar legislation to the Dangerous Dogs act in the UK but wouldn't support inclusion of any of the breeds above. (Pit Bulls excepted). I would also not support your call for compulsory leashes. Then would there be a call to muzzle all dogs?

I absolutely support responsible dog ownership, responsible dog breeding, both are key to the safer public. If breeders were reputable, they would very closely vet the prospective owners, just like my Rottie lady does like they are her babies. Shut down the puppy farms, thereby stopping the churning out of defective and dubiously bred and likely more unpredictable dogs.

As I say I walk with Stinky on a leash but he is trained and controlled off it (not just because he is old and knackered)- there are responsible other dog owners who do likewise.
There are no rights or wrongs, I just thought that I would give a further dollop of my thoughts

Originally Posted by DandNHill

Ultimately there are bylaws in place to ensure that owners are responsible.
I served many a fine on people for allowing their dogs to run at large. They didn't like it and I was called all sorts of names at times but it is what it is.
I used to make the mistake of saying to people " don't worry she's friendly" but actually now I feel that it's not fair for a stranger to have to trust that what I am saying is true.
In that respect I do miss my carefree days in the uk.

We had many owners who just like you would say "my dog doesn't leave my side"...until the dog does leave the owners side, because the temptation was suddenly too much.

As far as the puppy mills are concerned, it's not easy. You get corrupt officers which don't help. This is the main reason towns impose a limit on the number of dogs a resident can own before needing a kennel license. It doesn't completely solve the problem but does deter many people.

Muzzling dogs is not necessary unless they gave a history. If the owner has the dog under control and on leash the muzzle is unnecessary.

Out of interest, when you moved to your current location did you take the time to read your towns animal bylaws?

Originally Posted by DandNHill

That's why because you can't ban the owners you have to ban the dogs.

My son is fine. Very "positive" about the situation although I don't think he will ever own a Rottweiler! He's 17! All the nurses have been telling him how good it's going to be to tell the girls he wrestled and won against a Rottweiler!!

As far as I'm concerned, I dislike those types of breeds even more. I know any dog can bite but I look at my Newf and my Saint and love them a little bit more!

Originally Posted by DandNHill

Muzzling dogs is not necessary unless they gave a history. If the owner has the dog under control and on leash the muzzle is unnecessary.

Originally Posted by Stinkypup

I'm interested in your perception of freedom and carefree days in the UK, did you feel that the risks were not there? Or is it that your view changed after you were involved in Animal control?

I do not inflict my dogs on anyone quoting what you suggest, I never have- what irks me a little is your inference that everyone is guilty of such behaviour, this is simply not true. Of course I have seen it and heard that said many a time and it bugs me too
I sense your disbelief of my suggestion that dogs can be successfully obedient and under control. All I can do is quote from my own fairly extensive experience with dogs which I have had throughout all my life.

Proper legislation needs to exist, not just limiting the numbers- that helps but as with guns, the dangerous ones are let out into the public domain illegally.
Yes, I am absolutely up to speed with the local bylaws- moving Stinky over was a large commitment which we approached correctly and properly.
You haven't yourself responded to my query about potential banning of particular breeds, what are your thoughts on this, I would be interested to know.

Originally Posted by DandNHill

As far as a ban is concerned, I'm not sure how much good they do to be honest. Vets register pits as boxer X or American bulldog here in Ontario which defeats the whole point of the ban.

Originally Posted by chawkins99

All dogs have the potential to turn violent at a moment's notice given the right (or wrong) stimulus. The video of the 4 year-old with the pit-bulls made me shudder!

We have a 7-year-old 135lb Siberian Husky who has never attacked anyone but I still would never leave him alone with a child. He is prone to seizures which are controlled with medication but the first time was terrifying. When he comes round after a seizure, he is like a frightened, cornered wolf.

Once, at a dog park, a 6-year old girl took a liking to him and was hugging him around the neck. While he didn't react with any kind of aggression, I had to stop her just for my own sanity.

On another occasion, we were broken down on the interstate and I had taken him out for a pee (on leash) when a State Trooper pulled up. As he approached, the dog made a move toward him (to say hello) and the cop went for his gun Fully understandable. He backed down after I assured him he was friendly AND he saw he was on a short leash.

Originally Posted by Geordie Lass

Totally agree. Any dog if cornered can react with a bite. Dogs generally give off warning signs before they bite but quite often humans don't read these signs. That video of the 4 year old feeding the Rotties made me nervous. If they all decided to have a go she wouldn't stand a chance.

I have a beautiful lab. She's playful and still acts like a pup sometimes around other dogs. She has been nipped several times by other dogs. I met a woman a while ago and she said "oh my dog's friendly. Can they say hello?" everything in her dogs stance told me it wasn't the case and sure enough her dog had a go at mine (didn't reach as mine can skip out the way pretty good)

My lab is a gorgeous dog around children - she always was even as a pup but was a bit excitable but now she's great. The other day we were walking her as a family and a dog came flying down from a deck barking and snarling. She went crazy. She pulled on the lead and barked and snarled right back. She could sense I'd gotten the fright of my life. So yes I believe any dog can react. The only other time she's ever barked was when my son was ahead of me on a walk and another dog got inbetween her and him.

Any dog can react when scared/threatened or they believe their human is at risk. People who say their dogs would never do anything wrong I believe are a bit naive.

People's ignorance around dogs drive me mad sometimes.

Originally Posted by BristolUK

I don't go along with the idea that bans or restrictions (whatever the subject) are not worth it because a number of people can disregard them or find ways around them.

If some people are not doing something that they shouldn't that's better than a free-for-all where everyone can do it.

Better to have most people driving within speed limits than everyone speeding.

Originally Posted by DandNHill

But to use your analogy of speeding when vets list these dogs as boxers or whatever it's like saying to the police office that you have the authority to state that his speed gun is not calibrated correctly and that he should therefore let you off!

Originally Posted by chawkins99

On another occasion, at a dog park, there was another, smaller, female husky. Ours was trying to be the alpha until she objected and turned on him, biting his ear.

He quickly turned into the omega, running across the park back to us, crying like a baby.

It was really quite comical.