Tracking dangerous dogs a priority
B.C. municipalities agree to press province on registry to keep tabs on aggressive canines
B.C.'s dangerous dogs could find it harder to shake their bad reputation — or hide out in another town — if the province supports a bid for a dangerous-dog registry.
Municipalities agreed Thursday to support a proposal by Pitt Meadows to press the B.C. government for a provincewide dangerous-dog registry, which would allow officials to identify and track aggressive canines that have been involved in killing or seriously injuring a person or pet, no matter where they live or visit across the province.
The move follows several serious and fatal attacks in Pitt Meadows, including the death of Tucker, a Yorkie, that was killed by another dog in 2014, and Buttons, a Shih Tzu working as a therapy dog, said Coun. Janis Elkerton. Her city, as well as others in Metro Vancouver, have also experienced a rash of attacks this year.
In January, for instance, twin sisters were mauled by a dog in Richmond, while there were two aggressive dog maulings within a week of each other in South Vancouver in June. Elkerton noted it is difficult to prevent further attacks because the city has no way of knowing if the dog's behaviour has been documented in another community, or to warn others if it moves to a neighbouring town. The proposed registry information would become part of the licensing process.
The B.C. SPCA made its own call earlier this year for a dangerous-dog registry, after releasing a series of announcements and letters to government over the last two decades calling for a review of B.C.'s legislation, citing a gap in the system.
Elkerton noted only 83 out of B.C.'s 188 municipalities have rules in place to deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs, and they are all different.
Fraser Valley communities stretching from Abbotsford to Harrison Hot Springs, for instance, require dangerous dogs to pose for a mug shot, while Vancouver doesn't have a registry but can deem a dog dangerous if there is a history of aggressive behaviour. In 2015, there were 322 aggressive dog incidents in Vancouver, compared with 234 in 2008.
Meanwhile, Surrey keeps a running total of dogs licensed as dangerous. As of Sept. 9, there were 74 dangerous dogs, including 22 pit bulls or pit bull mix, 12 German Shepherds or mix, seven Rottweilers or mix, six retrievers or mix. Owners of dangerous dogs in Surrey are required to have them muzzled on a street or public place, or kept securely in their own homes or yards.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities motion suggests the proposed registry be mandated across the province. Meanwhile, municipalities also endorsed resolutions by Fort St. John that the B.C. government establish a Pet Owners' Liability Act, which would put the onus on pet owners for dealing with aggressive pets.
“This is the first step, but the province has to follow through on it,” Elkerton said. “I think there is concern about the cost. But what is the cost to our municipalities and our vulnerable citizens?”