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Ever thought about moving or travelling with your dog - and worried that their breed or perceived breed might be an issue? Bookmark these resources!Justice for Bullies – BSL map: https://justice-for-bullies.myshopify.com/pages/bslincanadaDog Bite Facts – BSL in BC list: http://dogbitefacts.org/bsl/bsl-in-bcPlease note that these pages are maintained by volunteers and while they work hard to keep them up to date, things can always change without notice. Always double-check your destination by reading the most current version of the bylaw. This is usually available on the City’s website or by calling the City Clerk’s office. #endBSL #notoBill128 #Canada150 #BSLbytes---For background on the #BSLbytes...

Breed specific legislation has been in place for decades in some areas, which gives us the opportunity to study its effectiveness. In 2013, the Canadian Veterinary Journal published a study of animal control practices in 36 Canadian municipalities. While animal control measures and levels of enforcement varied widely across the country, there were a couple of interesting correlations. One was that the communities with BSL (about a third of the ones studied) did not have lower bite rates, and based on this research there’s no cause to think that BSL is effective as an animal control strategy.One of the strongest...

Peanut is a mixed-breed rescued dog of unknown parentage. She has a fantastic family, a lovely temperament, and she has a few special needs in life because she is blind. Until last year, she also lived in the City of Richmond, which places restrictions on pit bull type dogs. Because a neighbour complained to the City about her perceived breed, her owners were told to muzzle her in accordance with the municipal bylaws. While there’s nothing wrong with muzzles when they are needed, Peanut is not a dangerous dog, and the muzzle interfered with her use of other senses in...

Veterinarians make an oath to protect animal health and welfare, but does BSL force them to break that oath?  An article that appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2012 has pointed out implications of holding veterinarians responsible for determining breed. The labels assigned to dogs of unknown parentage can have serious consequences with authorities, shelters, rescues, landlords, and insurance companies. It was recommended that veterinarians refrain from assigning breed based on visual identification.   Veterinarians are highly trained professionals and should be a resource for health concerns, but they do not receive training in identifying breeds...

The stated goal of breed specific legislation is to reduce injuries and fatalities from dog bites. This might be a legitimate intention but we have yet to see a case study where this has been successful.Take Ireland. A study published in 2015 by The Veterinary Journal explored the effectiveness of that country’s breed specific legislation, where 11 breeds and mixes are targeted. Statistics gathered during the introductory period of Ireland’s Control of Dogs Act (1998 to 2013) determined a significant increase in dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization. It was suggested that breed specific legislation may actually contribute to the rise...