Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Coke
I watched an interesting fifth estate episode on pit bulls and breed bans last night.
Im very sceptical of these types of shows due to the tendency to drive a pre planned agenda, but there was some interesting data mentioned.
In Toronto, the last year prior to the breed ban, there were well over 100 dog attacks recorded (I don’t remember the precise number). Last year there were 15.
In the US there was a large study done, and over half of all serious dog bites were from pit bulls. They didn’t mention what the percentage of the dog population pit bulls are, but I think it is safe to assume it is far less than 50%.
The debate and lobbying around this issue reminds me a lot of the gun debate in the states. Blame the less than flattering statistical data on ‘bad owners’, meanwhile people continue to get injured or killed, because of course you can never eliminate imperfect human pet owners. Nevermind the ones that feel they did everything right and still had an unexpected attack.
Having said that, I wouldn’t want an emotional response to the issue, I want a factual data driven response. But I am definitely starting to believe that the risks are too substantial to continue hoping that responsible pet ownership is all that’s needed, or is even achievable.
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The number is 112 recorded bites by the four breeds that are grouped into the "pit bull" category, reduced to 19 in 2014. So the law succeeded in that respect. Even in 2004, pit bulls were not the top biter and if broken out by breed (like all the other top 10 are, would be even lower on the list).
But at the same time, dog bites in Toronto have actually increased since the ban. Which is probably why the Toronto Humane Society says that instead of a breed ban, a model like Calgary's would be better (we have seen a decrease in the number of bites with no breed specific laws).
Why do you feel that these 4 breeds are the ones that need focusing on? Since they were off the top ten list in the last few years, do you feel we should be looking at breed specific laws surrounding the breeds currently on that list?
How does everyone feel about the humane societies and the AMVA/CMVA saying that breed specific laws are not the answer? These are probably the more knowledgeable people on the matter, should we not be looking at their input in the matter?