City could curb dog-breed ban

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This article was published 05/04/2022 (995 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The end of Winnipeg’s decades-long ban on some dog breeds could be near.

Winnipeg Animal Services is proposing to remove the prohibition on specific breeds, pending council approval. The responsible pet ownership bylaw would add new rules for the owners of at-risk and dangerous dogs, shifting the focus from breed to behaviour.

“We think that people can successfully own all different types of dogs… (But) it’s critical… that they do absolutely everything they can to be responsible pet owners to ensure that those dogs have little or no (negative) impact on the community,” said Leland Gordon, general manager of animal services.

During public consultations, Gordon said the vast majority of city residents supported a “breed-neutral approach.” That would eliminate bans council added in 1990, which prevent American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and predominant mixes thereof, from being allowed as pets in its jurisdiction.

An advocate who fought to end the bans said the proposed change would help the City of Winnipeg focus on dangerous canine behaviour, instead of genetic background.

“By targeting breeds, you’re missing dangerous dogs out there that just don’t fit the so-called appearance… You can’t target appearance, you have to target behaviour,” said Jane Olijnek, founder of End Breed Specific Legislation Manitoba.

Dog attacks have sparked local headlines in recent years, including canines that fell under the banned breeds.

In 2020, four dogs were involved in a vicious attack outside the Capri Motel, leaving two people with life-altering injuries. At least three of the animals were American pit bull terriers.

In 2021, a permitted Siberian husky fatally attacked two small dogs at a canine daycare — an animal the city later labelled a “dangerous dog.”

Should council approve, the city’s new focus will be to address “irresponsible pet owners,” said Gordon. Through a new category for “at risk” pets, the city plans to work with owners to prevent their canines from being deemed dangerous.

A civic report notes a dog could be deemed at risk when it has: run at large or pursued someone more than twice; bit another animal or human more than once; been impounded at an animal shelter more than once; has received a lack of veterinary care for medical issues; and/or has been subjected to unsanitary confinement.

Gordon said the city would suggest steps to these owners to avoid problems. If the dog still winds up being deemed dangerous, new rules could be forced upon them.

Owners of dangerous dogs would be required to harness and train their pets, while keeping them out of dog daycares and off-leash areas, with $500 fines for those who break the rules.

Failure to comply with the requirements of a dangerous dog designation would result in the animal being either seized and re-homed or euthanized.

An individual could also be temporarily or permanently banned from owning additional animals, if their pet is deemed to be at risk, dangerous or in need of protection.

The owners of dangerous dogs, as declared by animal services, would no longer be able to appeal the designation to council’s protection committee. A city report notes elected officials have not overturned a single dangerous dog designation in the past 18 years.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, who leads the committee, said removing the appeal option would match what’s in place in most other cities.

Rollins plans to support the changes, which she expects would help prevent animal attacks and euthanizations.

“At the end of the day, I think this is a bylaw that will prevent animal deaths,” she said.

Meanwhile, a few Winnipeggers could also get the option to keep backyard chickens. Animal Services is proposing a two-year pilot project on urban chicken keeping, which would begin by spring 2023.

This would allow select residents to keep a small flock of up to four hens (no roosters), with set rules for coops, fencing, cleaning, heat/insulation and random inspections, if the current plan is approved as is.

“We are a community that has a lot of agricultural roots… I think each and every (city councillor has) ward residents that are interested in chicken keeping,” said Rollins.

As well, hotly contested ideas to restrict exotic pets are still up for debate.

The city invited feedback on banning many types of birds, fish and reptiles from being kept as pets last summer, along with new limits on pet numbers per household. City staff want a year extension to update that part of the bylaw.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joyanne loves to tell the stories of this city, especially when politics is involved. Joyanne became the city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press in early 2020.

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