Some dangerous-dog groups have a lot of clout
Columnist Lori Welbourne isn’t surprised that a recent piece she wrote in an attempt to debunk pit-bull myths and pro-pit-bull messaging received an onslaught of criticism.
“They’re a really strong group, very well-funded, and they put out a call when these types of columns come out, to get people to react to them so the reactions can come from all over North America,” Welbourne said of the various pit -bull advocacy groups that abound.
Often, the comments can range from the nasty and vulgar, to more eloquently written counter arguments.
Either way, Welbourne isn’t swayed.
“There’s always an excuse and there’s never any kind of acknowledgment the dogs are inherently dangerous — they were bred to be that way,” she said.
Welbourne, a columnist with The Province and various other publications, began reading up on pit bulls and looking into dog attacks after it happened to a friend.
“My first introduction (to the matter) was four years ago when my girlfriend’s son was attacked in the face in Kelowna,” she said, noting her friend and her son were accused by critics of having provoked the dog into attacking.
“I got to see how my friend and son were attacked, as if they had brought it on somehow. It did make me shy away from the negative backlash — I mean, who wants that? Who wants to deal with these absolutely aggressive, hostile people who are coming at you and relentlessly so?”
On Monday in Pitt Meadows, a Shih Tzu-Lhasa Apso-cross was attacked by a Bullmastiff. The smaller dog was taken to a veterinarian, but later died due to his injuries.
While Bullmastiffs aren’t considered pit bulls, they are “deemed dangerous under the bylaw,” according to Kim Grout, chief administrative officer for the City of Pitt Meadows, who said they are under regulations.
According to Welbourne, Bullmastiffs are considered part of the fighting breed and are legislated as such in various areas.
As such, Welbourne would like to see more rules in place when it comes to dangerous breeds of dogs.
“It’s really important for people to understand that putting breed-specific regulations in place doesn’t necessarily mean bans, it means regulation. It doesn’t result in the mass killing of pit bulls,” she said.
“It will actually save pit-bull lives because it will mean a mandatory spay and neuter program, no birth and no kill.”
To read Welbourne’s columns visit blogs.theprovince.com/author/lori6666.