Political Double Talk. WHAT DID THEY SAY??? or...WHAT DO THEY MEAN???

Just prior to the provincial election in Nova Scotia, Rick Conrad, writer of the Petpourri column in the Halifax Chronicle Herald, posed questions about pet ownership, sale, cruelty, and breed banning to the three major party leaders.

In The Chronical_Herald
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Sunday June 11, 2006

Politicians collared
By RICK CONRAD / Petpourri Column

It’s only a week until election day. Do you know where your candidates stand on all issues of pets?
NDP Leader Darrell Dexter
Liberal LeaderFrancis MacKenzie

Q: Did you have a pet growing up? If so, what kind and what was his/her/its name?

NDP - Yes we always had pets. A cocker spaniel when I was young and we always had cats. My mother also had a poodle called Cuffy that meant a lot to her.

Liberal - I have had dogs and cats around most of my life — Princess and Lew (American cocker spaniels). Cats: Brutus, Rosie, Oreo.

Q: Are you currently a pet parent? If so, what kinds of pets do you have, what are their names, how long have you had them and where did you get them? If you and your family don’t have pets, why not?

NDP - No. My wife and I both have very busy lives, and I often have to travel. Having grown up with animals I feel strongly that no one should be a pet owner unless they have the time to give an animal the care, company and attention they need. When our lives slow down we would like to get a Nova Scotia Duck Toller.

Liberal - We are the proud owners of a cat named Nero who has been part of our family for the last eight years. We obtained Nero through a friend.

Q: Where do you stand on breed-specific legislation that would ban certain breeds of dogs like Rottweilers or pit bull terriers?

NDP - Personally, I support breed-specific legislation.

Liberal - We are not in favour of bans on certain breeds. There are bad owners but very few bad pets. These types of breeds, however, require knowledgeable owners and we would encourage owners to seek professional training. Owners must be held responsible for the actions of their pets. If any legislation is considered, it will look at the owner, not the breed.

Q: Do you believe pet stores should be allowed to sell animals?

NDP - My main concern is always that animals are well-treated. I would like to talk to animal health professionals more about this to hear their view and would take their advice.

Liberal - I think it depends on the store and the type of pet. People should purchase dogs through reputable breeders or through adoption from the SPCA or animal rescue. But if the interest of the pet is being safeguarded, pet stores can be a suitable option.

Q: If so, should the province regulate the breeding and sale of live animals as household pets?

NDP - Yes, I think the province has a role to play in regulating pet breeders and those who sell pets, for both the protection of the animals and the protection of families looking for a pet. So much depends on breeding and early environment.

Liberal - We believe that there should be consultations with interested stakeholders before proceeding with regulation. While regulation can help safeguard the interests of animals and their owners, we would prefer an educational approach.

Q: Are you in favour of tougher penalties for those found guilty under the Nova Scotia Animal Cruelty Prevention Act and why or why not? What’s your opinion of how the act is currently enforced?

NDP - The real issue in enforcement of the act is resources. I question if the resources, human and financial, are there to fully enforce even existing regulation.

Liberal - Yes, because people who are cruel to animals take away from our humanity. This area of the law does not seem fully developed in Nova Scotia. That includes enforcement. We believe that many agencies do a fantastic job. The issue may simply be one of a lack of resources. We should examine this area of enforcement with the goal of making improvements.

Note that Darrell Dexter's office has retracted his original statement that he supports breed-specific legislation. His retraction was printed in the Chronicle Herald.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Sunday, June 11, 2006

NDP says Dexter has no plans for breed-specific bans on dogs

The New Democrats say they’ve made a faux paw.

Spokeswoman Barbara Emodi said Wednesday said she made a mistake when submitting leader Darrell

Dexter’s answer to a question about banning some dog breeds.

The questions were posed in The Chronicle Herald’s Petpourri column, published Tuesday.

She said Mr. Dexter does not support breed-specific legislation.

"I wrote it down wrong," she said.

Janet Chernin, the Atlantic chairwoman for the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, wrote to Mr. Dexter after seeing his answer in the paper.

Ms. Chernin, the owner of two bull terriers and a Rottweiler, said she could not support a party that backed a breed ban.

The three leaders were asked the following question: Where do you stand on breed-specific legislation that would ban certain breeds of dogs like Rottweilers or pit bull terriers?
Here are their answers:

NDP Leader Darrell Dexter
Personally, I support breed-specific legislation.

Later amended to (via e-mail response to a number of upset citizens): I can assure you that the Nova Scotia NDP has no policy or position in favour of breed specific legislation. The NDP has no plans to introduce such legislation.and another e-mail:

Mr. Dexter and the NDP are certainly prepared to be held responsible for the position that they do not support breed specific legislation, and have no plans to bring such legislation forward. and (via his retraction in the Chronicle Herald):

Mr. Dexter does not support breed-specific legislation.

Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie
We are not in favour of bans on certain breeds. There are bad owners but very few bad pets. These types of breeds, however, require knowledgeable owners and we would encourage owners to seek professional training. Owners must be held responsible for the actions of their pets. If any legislation is considered, it will look at the owner, not the breed.

(An earlier statement made by Francis MacKenzie)
These types of breeds, however, require knowledgeable owners and we would encourage owners to seek professional training.

Progressive Conservative Leader Rodney MacDonald (via e-mail after publication deadline)
I'm assuming this question deals with public safety, given the breeds you've mentioned. I believe there is a half pass, half fail rate with this type of legislation across Canada. I'm not entirely convinced that by banning certain breeds would prevent dog attacks from happening. Other breeds can also demonstrate aggression toward people depending on the circumstances, how the dog was raised and treated itself. I think I'd be more supportive of legislation that addresses the causes of aggression rather than targeting the banning of specific breeds.

Local NDP Candidate Sean Bennett, Hants West (via e-mail to a concerned constituent)
The comment from Darrell Dexter was his personal opinion and not that of the NDP.As you know Darrell lives in the Dartmouth-Cole Harbour riding and animal and child safety has been an issue for citizens in that area.

I feel that it is not the dog that is necessarily the problem but the owners and trainers.

I think that Breed Specific Legislation might be an option where certain breeds (such as Pit Bulls for example) can only be purchased through a breeder, not through pet stores or other avenues. Responsible breeders will ensure that these dogs are raised with proper training and under the proper rules and regulations to ensure that breeds are not blamed. (Is he saying, Let's put strict rules on the breeders and owners of "these dogs" even if we don't ban them outright?)

Are you confused yet? I sure am!