City pit bull licensing fee to remain $1,000

by Kyra Hoggan on 18 May 2011
in
City pit bull licensing fee to remain $1,000

 Pitbull owners in Castlegar will not enjoy a reduction in the cost of dog licensing, as council voted Monday night to maintain the status quo.

 

This, after controversy arose surrounding the city’s $1,000 licensing fee for pit bulls and Staffordshire Terriers (as compared $15 to $45 for other breeds). Nelson and Trail both have $300 licensing fees for pit bulls.
 
The bylaw was reviewed by council’s Public Safety committee at councillor Deb McIntosh’s request.
 
“It’s an ineffective bylaw,” she said. “We know there are pit bulls in the community, they’re just not being licensed, or they’re being licensed as some other breed.
 
“If it was more affordable, I think most responsible dog owners would pay it. $1,000 is just too much,” she added.
 
Ultimately, the rest of council disagreed, after a committee report came back recommending the bylaw be left as-is.
 
“We (the Public Safety Committee) met with animal control officer Rick Smith, along with RCMP detachment commander Laurel Mathew and councillor Gord Turner,” said council Russ Hearne. “We discussed the pros and cons, and looked at a lot of statistics regarding pit bulls.”
 
He said pit bulls were originally bred to be powerful, aggressive dogs that would fight to the death, increasing the risk of death and/or dismemberment in the event of a pit bull attack.
 
“I agree that, when there’s a problem, it’s generally with the owner, not the animal,” he said. “But some dogs present a greater risk than others. Pit bulls are aggressive with other dogs, and they can become aggressive with people if they’re not properly socialized.”
 
“This is a tool we can use if we identify a pit bull in Castlegar.”
 
He said the committee did not meet with pit bull owners or veterinarians over the issue, explaining that there wasn’t much point, as no one was arguing that pit bulls, when raised properly, can be wonderful pets.
 
“It’s not the properly-trained, well-loved ones we’re concerned about,” he said.
 
McIntosh voted against leaving the fee as-is, while the rest of council voted in favour.
 
Castlegar’s Animal Control bylaw has been in place since 1991.

Comments

An injustice and outright discrimination!

by Dogs R Dogs on 06 Jun 2011 at about 20:52.
This is absolutely ludicrous!! What does the city hope to gain from this ridiculous fee? You have just forced people NOT to abide by the law and therefore target those who might think about paying this ridiculous fee! Is this a way for this city to try and cash in on pit bulls? Or, is it a way for the city to try and force pit bulls and the responsible owners to hide under the radar, or even move. I hope there was an outcry by pit bull owners and every dog owner on reading this article!! I am a law abiding citizen and thankfully do not reside in such an ignorant city, however, I can guarantee that you would not be getting one penny from me. And yes, this means that I would not license my dogs. And, I would be taking our tax paying dollars to a dog friendly city and yes, this means moving. As a responsible owner of 3 pitbulls who spends a great deal on ensuring that my dogs are healthy and well cared for, I would not be wasting my hard earned cash on funding the city and their discriminatory policies, when I could be putting this money towards my dogs (food, training, vet bills, etc!). Responsible dog ownership is expensive since I feed my dogs a raw diet ($250 p/mth), one of my pitties had TPLO surgery a couple of years ago that cost us $4000, my other pittie needed a root canal after I adopted him costing $1500 and just this year my other pittie needed a root canal after breaking one of his canines while playing. Yes, a whopping $2500. So, you have to be kidding to think that I would give you people anything at all. Hopefully, dog lovers will be targeting the idiots who are in office and getting them kicked out for more intelligent, and dog friendly officials.

@Darbley If a pit bull is not

by TgifMntGirl on 22 May 2011 at about 16:56.
@Darbley If a pit bull is not a solid canine citizen it is the OWNER not the breed. This is where the focus should be placed .. on CRAPPY owners.

Out-right Ban

by Darbley on 20 May 2011 at about 04:59.
Comparatively speaking: 1. Even though you could drive a NASCAR at the speed limit they are not allowed on the roads. 2. Even though the safety is on you are not allowed to strap a six-gun to your hip. 3. Even though you are proficient with explosives you are not allowed to carry BLASTING CAPS around in your pocket. 4. Even though they are well trained, you are not allowed to walk your LION, or TIGER down the street. I say scrap the $1000 fee, and put an outright ban on known aggressive animals . . . I don't care if you are a Doctor, lawyer or a cop, or are rich and could afford a $128,000 fee. If you need to have, or can't live with out, a known aggressive animal, you have a problem, and I wouldn't want you as a neighbour. Good bye. IMO

Backwards thinking from council

by TgifMntGirl on 19 May 2011 at about 12:25.
I find those who see the pit bull breed as a potential human killing machine ready to snap at any moment, are the same people who are poorly educated on the breed and have not met a solid canine pit bull citizen in person. Behind every bad dog, no matter the BREED, is a crappy owner, and that is where the focus should be .. on responsible dog ownership. Think you're pit bull savvy? Find the pit bull: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html Back in the day when pit bulls were used to fight other dogs, if a pit bull bit it's handler, it was killed as the handler did not want to suffer injury from his dog fighting canine. So when you see a pit bull who is human aggressive you can be certain that the dog has been beaten and abused and has suffered horrifically to create a human aggressive canine. It is also well noted that even pit bulls such as Michael Vicks dogs who were horrible mistreated, abused and killed .. still love humans regardless of this abuse. Meet Leo, former Vick dog .. now THERAPY dog ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmBqn9njo_0; The Greatest Vicktory, Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYMuaC4CdvY&feature=relmfu; The Greatest Vicktory, Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA68tl59l48&feature=related;meet the VICKtory dogs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5kv9slS4U&feature=related; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt7QVtrfT4A&feature=related ..and so many more ... google. Although this $1000 licensing isn't Breed Specific Legislation .. it certainly is breed specific. When one looks at breed specific legislation that some provinces and states try to pass you, will see that those who DO NOT support it are the very people who work the closest with all breeds of dogs and can be considered experts on dog behavior and temperament. Organizations that are AGAINST breed specific ways of being: Canadian Veterinary Association; Canadian Kennel Club; National Animal Control Association; Humane Associations of Georgia; Wisconsin; Ottowa; Idaho; Association of Pet Dog Trainers; American Kennel Club; Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); American Veterinary Medical Association; National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors; Canadian Kennel Club; National Animal Interest Alliance; American Animal Hospital Association; International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants; California Veterinary Medical Association; Colorado Veterinary Medical Association; Texas Veterinary Medical Association; Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association; Chicago Veterinary Medical Association; American Humane; Maryland Veterinary Medical Association; New York State Veterinary Medical Association; American Temperament Test Society; American Dog Owner’s Association; American Canine Federation; International Association of Canine Professionals; American Dog Breeders Association Inc.; SPCA Los Angeles. (http://bit.ly/kK941m) The experts' (including the Canadian Veterinary Association, the CKC, the UKC, and various dog trainers and behaviorists, to name a few) opinions: "Pit bulls" are not inherently or genetically different than other breeds. The top 4 biters by breed are German Shepherds, Rottweiler's, Cocker Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. Bites by "pit bull" type dogs account for less than 5% of all serious bites in Canada. It is a myth that "pit bull" type dogs are unique in how they attack. Other breeds also have a bite and hold pattern. There is no qualitative difference between a serious attack by a "pit bull" and one by another breed of a comparable size. A bite and hold attack is not qualitatively more severe than a series of slashing bites typical for a breed like the German Shepherd. Dogs in attacks are regularly misidentified as "pit bulls". If "pit bull" attacks were qualitatively different then this confusion should not exist. Breed bans or breed specific licensing/legislation are unenforceable. Breed bans or breed specific licensing/legislation are extremely expensive. Breed bans or breed specific licensing/legislation unfairly punish responsible owners while irresponsible owners ignore the laws. 80% of bite victims are children who will be bitten in their home or at a neighbor's by the family dog. Research shows that just 1 hour of dog safety training in grades 2 and 3 can reduce these attacks by 80%. (http://bit.ly/hgeX5f) Pit bulls are a solid breed of dog and temperament tests on all breeds shows this. Passing % based on tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society. American Pit Bull Terrier 86 % Bernese Mnt Dog 85.2 German Shepherd Dog 84.2 Rottweiler 83.4 Maltese 81.3 Beagle 80 Miniature Schnauzer 78.4 Shih Tzu 78 Miniature Poodle 77.9 Bichon Frise 76.7 Pomeranian 75.8 Chihuahua 71.1 Lhasa Apso 70.4 Shetland Sheepdog 68 Wow ... 86% of pit bulls passed the temperament test ... and one of America's favorite house dogs, the shih Tzu passed with 78%. (http://www.atts.org/statistics.html) I do see a change happening in regards to a pit bull's reputation and in a positive way ... the tides are changing and people are starting to see that it isn't the breed .. it is the owner. This is where focus should be .. owner responsibility. Two great quotes about pit bulls: "Pit bulls are not part of the problem. The only problem is people. The dogs are not perpetrators, they are not evil partners of the humans, nor are they mere "tools" of a "trade". These dogs abused by man are living, feeling, breathing, helpless victims, with a world to offer if humans would only give them the chance. They have so much worth and substance, but their countless positive traits are trampled on and stifled by the real "animals" who mistreat them." ~ Mary Harwelik A pit bull's absolute love and loyalty for their handler is immense and the unfortunate part about that is that's also the characteristic that is exploited the most. Alternatives to Breed Specific Laws and Licensing: Educate; Leash Laws; Owner Responsibility and Accountability; Strengthen animal abuse and dog fighting laws; regulate dog breeders; and provide low cost spay/neuter options for communities. KNOWLEDGE is POWER and it will free you from the FEAR you allow yourself to live in. More info: http://vimeo.com/11493477; http://saveabull.com/; http://www.badrap.org/rescue/index.html; http://www.forpeteyssake.com/; http://www.indypitcrew.org/positive.htm; http://dontbullymybreed.org/; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TY6Km6EqKE; http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/articles/popsicle.html; http://www.understand-a-bull.com/ .. too many to mention ..

Sad

by mrblack71 on 19 May 2011 at about 10:11.
It is sad that my wife and I are both well educated, successful, and good citizens in the community we currently live in, yet must scrutinize every town we are considering moving to simply because we have 2 American Pitbull Terriers. I can understand fear of these animals based on a reputaion, that is undeserved I might add, but one should keep an open mind in respect to not just these dogs, but any dog. Ones children could rob me just as easily as my dogs could bite them, we must have faith in one another or what else do we have?