WESTVILLE - Monday's dog attack in Stellarton was the second to occur in a one-week period in the county.
Westville Police Chief Don Hussher says the situation was similar to the occurrence in Stellarton, although no one was injured in Westville.
A female dog was tied outside the family home when she was approached by a male lab, which was acting very dominant.
The owners of the female dog came outside and the male dog lunged at them, teeth bared. The police were called to the scene and the dog began attacking the police car. "It was just too vicious," said Hussher. "It was attacking the car, it was attacking the people. We ended up having to shoot it."
Multiple previous attacks in the town prompted Hussher to compile a report in 2006 proposing provincial legislation that would enforce control of domestic animals. That report went to the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities but was never adopted.
Hussher plans to bring that back to Westville council at their upcoming council meeting.
"I think this is a good time to look at it again," Hussher said.
One of the points in the report is that any dog can attack.
"There's a pecking order in a pack, or family, and generally the male of the household will dominate the dog," he explained. "Dogs should be at the bottom of the pecking order, because they can look at others as competition."
In the report, Hussher offered 14 recommendations based on input from animal behaviour specialists. They include:
1. Partnership with other municipalities to ensure consistent laws.
2. Municipalities must have an accurate database of all dogs within their boundaries and any bylaw infractions link to the owner.
3. All fines for violations increased drastically to create a deterrent and increase with each repetition of the offence.
4. Laws and licences should include breeder categories with restrictions to encourage proper breeding practices.
5. Dogs that show aggression must be considered vicious and more restrictions will be required for ownership.
6. Dogs tied unattended should not be permitted for long periods - if it's not kept in the house, a proper defined enclosure must be required.
7. Training dogs for attack or protection isn't permitted except for police or security companies.
8. Restrictions on the owners to ensure they properly feed, shelter, train and socialize their dogs to prevent aggressiveness.
9. All dog bites will be investigated and charges laid if warranted. If the attack was unprovoked and the dog can't be ordered destroyed, it will be declared vicious.
10. If the owner isn't a breeder and the dog isn't a show dog, spaying/neutering will be mandatory or increase the licensing fee drastically.
11. Dogs will be required to be micro-chipped by vets so owners of roaming animals can be identified.
12. Beware of dog signs will not be permitted - if the owner has a concern about the dog's aggression it will be considered vicious.
13. SPCA needs more responsibility and authority to do their job.
14. A committee should be former to look at these regulations and revamp current bylaws.
Similar dog attack occurred in Westville
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Comments
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- NSMom
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:35:20
Beware of dog signs will not be permitted Sorry I don't agree with this. I have this sign on my house and I am not worried about my dog's aggression at all. I only have it to warn ppl that there is a dog on the property as I know some ppl are afraid of a bigger dog.
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- M
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:54:28
I agree!
If only they would adopt all those rules EVERYWHERES in this Province.
Makes sense.
No more BYB, no more inproper breeding, no more dogs tied outside getting frustrated with lack of exercise and love.
I think if this were to come into effect and be properly enforced a whole lot of problems would disappear! -
- L
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:44:22
I think all these recommendations should inforced aggressively!!To protect not only people the but the dog as well
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- Lucy
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:30:24
My friend has a beware of dog sign on her house and her dogs aren't vicious - she just uses it to keep away the church people who go around door to door. It works too. No more pamphlets about God and religion :)
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- M
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:51:56
All I have to say is these little reccomendations are complete and utter RUBBISH! (Previously from PC)
If you walk past a house and the dog barks is it deemed vicious?!
Um, excuse me sir! with your new found no beware of dog sign I am in 100% disagreement.
I have 3 dogs and I foster from our local shelter.
I have 2 large dogs over 60lbs and a 30lb PIttbull/boxer mix. I have 3 beware of dog signs on my door. this doesn't mean my dogs are going to bite you in any sense.
I have never trained my dogs to bite but because they are so loved, and receive so much love from their Mummie and Daddy they return their complete and utter love.
If someone were to break in my home my 11mth old PUPPY who is 95 lbs would tear them apart so Mummie or Daddy wouldn't get hurt. This isn't because he is mean and we have never trained him to do this but just like parents protect their children dogs protect their owners.
Of course I do not agree with dogs biting people and I empathize greatly with the families who have been in the last weeks incidents but I want people to know that if they break in my house it's at their own discretion.
So to your Beware of dog sign rule...trash it like you do with everything else.
