Polititions put bite in Saanich dog law Owning a dangerous dog

Did we not say this would happen? How many people actually thought they would stop at Bullies and Rotties? Well, here we have it right in Saanich 23 dangerous dogs ranging from German Shepherds to poodles.I'm sure if Pit bulls and Rotties were on their list, they would have been mentioned.

What they are finding out is ALL dogs have teeth and other dogs can have aggressive behaviour problems as well, only owners are keeping quiet. Perhaps if the media would quit screaming headlines of Pit bull attacks and we looked at the real problem, then we could get down to some serious dog bite prevention.

You'll find this article in the Saanich News.

Politicians put bite in Saanich dog laws Owning a dangerous dog
By Amy Dove
News staff
May 18 2007

Saanich council unanimously passed a resolution Monday to ask the province to make dog owners civilly liable for their pet’s aggressive behaviour.

It’s an issue all-too-real for Saanich residents following the attack of 12-year-old Vanessa Wheeler in 2000.

While playing at Braefoot elementary school the then 12-year-old girl was attacked by a dog. Left with scars on her face, the 19-year-old has since undergone six surgeries to repair the damage.

With no proof the dog’s owner knew it was aggressive, the family’s lawsuit fell through and they were left with a small insurance claim.

There are many similar stories of dog attacks where the victim is left with the physical and mental trauma as well as the financial responsibility. The proposed bylaw would ensure that following a dog attack, owners could be held liable regardless of whether they knew their dog was dangerous or not.

Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland have similar provisions in place.

Under B.C. civil law, a victim must prove in court the dog owner knew about the animal’s violent tendencies prior to the attack. A report submitted to council stated it’s unfair for victims to bear personal responsibility for injuries, based on the argument that a dog owner is responsible for choosing the breed of dog, overseeing its training and how it is restrained.

There are 23 dangerous dogs registered in Saanich, ranging from German shepherds to poodles. While their owners have to pay higher licensing fees and comply to restrictions about where their dog can be unrestrained, there are no similar safeguards in place for victims.

The motion will be forwarded to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. From there the province will be approached about making the revised bylaw provincial policy.

news@saanichnews.com

A dog is deemed dangerous after it has killed or seriously injured someone or another animal in a public space.

Once a dog has been classified as dangerous, the owner must undertake the following precautions:
- Post signs on property alerting the public a dangerous dog is on site.
- The dog must be on a leash and muzzled when in public.
- When on private property, the animal must be penned in.
- Dangerous dogs cannot be owned by anyone under the age of 19.

Saanich council voted to include a new category in the animal bylaw May 14. Dogs that have bitten or injured someone with non-life-threatening wounds will be classified as aggressive and will be subject to the same restrictions as dangerous dogs.

Accordingly, dog owners will be charged a $75 licensing fee for aggressive dogs and a $150 fee for dangerous dogs. Owners of unlicensed dogs will be charged $150 fine.

For more information on the animal bylaw, go to www.gov.saanich.bc.ca.