Calgary Girl, 9, Mauled by Dog; Bylaw Asks: "Should Fines Increase?"

[Old Yeller]

This will never happen, but before getting a dog license people should have to pass a training test that demonstrates they have some knowledge about the animal and more specifically the breed they're getting.

Also something that will never happen, but this should apply to people who want to procreate as well.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I'm on board with this. Obviously this isn't something that should be put in as a blanket sentence, but on a case by case basis, I think it would make a lot of sense to ban some people from owning dogs.

A lot of people jump to the "Some breeds should be outlawed, or muzzled" argument, but that's fixing the wrong problem.
The problem isn't that some breeds are bad, it's that some owners are bad.
If I get drunk and drive my Ferrari does that mean Ferrari's should be banned? No, it means, I shouldn't be allowed to drive for a while.
Same should go for dog owners. If you show you can't properly train/control your dog, then you shouldn't be allowed to own one.

I agree with your post, but not totally with the bolded part. Large dogs (we could come up with a certain size/weight/bite-strength guide to define that) should be muzzled. Those yappy little purse dogs may bite you a few times but if you can kill it with a good punt, it probably doesn't need a muzzle. I'm 6'3" and weigh over 200 pounds (or over 230 or whatever...doesn't really matter) and I couldn't defend myself against a pitbull attack. No way these animals should be out in public with their teeth exposed.

[driveway]

Any suggestion people should be required to meet financial or licensing requirements to own a dog, but not in order to have a child is ... pretty much par for the course for this stupid civilization.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I agree with your post, but not totally with the bolded part. Large dogs (we could come up with a certain size/weight/bite-strength guide to define that) should be muzzled. Those yappy little purse dogs may bite you a few times but if you can kill it with a good punt, it probably doesn't need a muzzle. I'm 6'3" and weigh over 200 pounds (or over 230 or whatever...doesn't really matter) and I couldn't defend myself against a pitbull attack. No way these animals should be out in public with their teeth exposed.

I don't think you can just look at size/weight/bite-strength while ignoring prey drive. Some smaller dogs have a higher prey drive than some giant breeds.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

I don't think you can just look at size/weight/bite-strength while ignoring prey drive. Some smaller dogs have a higher prey drive than some giant breeds.

Good point. I suppose a muzzle-them-all approach is more practical, anyway.

[Derek Sutton]

The dog should be put down, no question. Whatever happened to those two Akita dogs in Airdrie?
Some dogs can be just out of control no matter what the owners do, often depends on the dog and the breed. I don't have a hate on for big dogs, I lived with a Rotweiller for 7 years, a huge, beautiful bitch that wouldn't hurt anything, a great dog. That one got put down due to stomach cancer and the roomie goes and gets another feamle Rotty. What a pain in the A this dog was. Didn't listen, snapped at kids and adults, was a really dumb dog, that we couldn't train. She "went for a ride over the hill", this dog could not be controlled. I also have never had a good experience with a German Sheperds yet a lot of people think they are great family dogs.

In most cases, the owners have spent big money on the dog because for whatever reason, they need some special breed, they had one like that as a kid, they like the look, nobody else has one like it. Well these are often not family dogs, nor city dogs yet they are raised amongst children and confined to the back yard for 95% of the time. Most pets are now for the most part considered family members and people feel that no matter what they need to keep their dog. What a joy ti is to look after a beast that howls when they hear people, jumps up on and knocks Grandma over, leaves land mines all over the backyard and is now so big that it can only be controlled by Dad, who is often gone away for work. I wonder certain dogs why ceratin dog bite people.

I grew up with dogs and always though I would like one when I got on my own. Well I've been on my own for 10yr's now and have no desire to get one. How could I enjoy an animal that scratches up my hardwood, ruins my chair legs, leaves hair all over the house, destroys my backyard etc...

So I guess my conclusion is that in some cases it is the dog and in some cases it is the owner. Either way; dog gets put down and owner gets fined, fine them lots and don't let them get another dog.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Good point. I suppose a muzzle-them-all approach is more practical, anyway.

Predictable if anything Silver... but I think we should muzzle children while we're at it.

[Derek Sutton]

You can say ceratin dogs should have muzzles and I would agree with that but like anything, are irrespnosible owners going to abide by the bylaw? There's also a bylaws saying that dogs should be on leash and are not allowed on school playgrounds, and these bylaws ArE nEvEr BrOkeN, they are also rarelr enforced so I guess it stands to reason. I get a kick out of the people who only put their dog on a leash when other people are coming close, I kinda wish they would happen upon a skunk.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Predictable if anything Silver... but I think we should muzzle children while we're at it.

Would love to see a thread where a dog owner doesn't pull out this false equivalency.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

The large fine doesn't prevent dog attacks, but it raises awareness to dog owners that their dogs need to be properly trained and controlled. Perhaps it would deter some owners from adopting more aggressive breeds.

I don't want to stereotype but a lot (not all of course) of the pitbull owners you see are usually of the lower income variety. It's possible they may think twice about adopting such breeds knowing the responsibility and possibility of massive fines that can be carried with them.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Would love to see a thread where a dog owner doesn't pull out this false equivalency.

Yeah I'd like to see a thread where you're not tongue in cheek or over the top about your arguments against dogs.

But neither are going to happen.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Agreed but those are two separate debates no?

Absolutely, but it doesn't seem like that issue ever really gets addressed on its own merit unfortunately.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Yeah I'd like to see a thread where you're not tongue in cheek or over the top about your arguments against dogs.

But neither are going to happen.

Care to point to an example in this thread?

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Care to point to an example in this thread?

LOL, in your OP.

Originally Posted by Sliver

With 127 reported dog attacks in the city in 2011, maybe we need to start looking at dogs as dangerous weapons and treat their owners in the same way we treat people who wield knives or brandish guns.

You don't think that's over the top?

[ranchlandsselling]

Yeah - I'd generally agree the #1 problem is likely owner related, next would be specific dog, finally breed.

Pretty sad.

The other girl attacked by two 'husky type dogs" in Silver Springs the other day sucks for the kid and Huskies. Bad year for kids and Huskies.

[hkstylez]

There was also another Husky attack in the papers the other day. The Husky that somehow escaped from his back yard apparently belongs to one of the girls I work with at work.

[freedogger]

Can't this be handled by suing the owner for damages and pain and suffering?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by freedogger

Can't this be handled by suing the owner for damages and pain and suffering?

I am sure this will be done, but civil response and statute response are two seperate issues.

[freedogger]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I am sure this will be done, but civil response and statute response are two seperate issues.

Technically, but don't you think the threat of each still shape behaviour? It is something I consider with my own dog and she's about as dangerous as a blade of grass.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

LOL, in your OP.

You don't think that's over the top?

It's not over the top at all.