Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

[TrishB]

http://novascotia.cbc.ca/regional/se...eedban20040715

Yarmouth considers 'dangerous' dog ban
WebPosted Jul 15 2004 09:53 AM ADT

YARMOUTH, N.S. — A Yarmouth woman is campaigning for tougher dog laws, including stiff penalties for people who don't control their aggressive pets.

Mary Anne Boudreau's beloved Pomeranian was mauled by a Rottweiler outside a veterinarian's clinic. "He just picked him up and shook him like a rat, and kept shaking him and shaking him," she says.

Punch's injuries were so severe that he had to be put down. His attacker was heading to the veterinarian to be euthanized for biting a girl just days before.

Boudreau has written to various politicians and is now on a campaign for tougher dog laws. As a result, the Municipality of Yarmouth is considering banning certain breeds.

"I'm not convinced that dog breeds by their very nature are naturally vicious, but we need to consider this in order to protect the public," says Chris Perry, warden of Yarmouth and a dog owner.

In Nova Scotia, the community of Guysborough has banned Rottweilers and pitbulls. Other Canadian cities have similar bylaws.

Rottweiler owner Tonya Faye can't imagine life without Sab. No breed is vicious by nature, she says. "I think it depends on how they're brought up, if they're abused when they're younger."

Veterinarian worker Teri-Lyn Mullins, who's also a Rottweiler owner, has kept a list of the dogs euthanized at her clinic for vicious behaviour since Punch's death. It's a long list of breeds, she says, including poodles and golden retrievers.

Even Boudreau doesn't blame the breed. Instead, she wants a law penalizing owners who don't control aggressive dogs. "People should have to restrain their dogs," she says.

Boudreau is taking her campaign nationwide. And if she's successful, she wants the law titled "Punch's Law."

From Feb. 12, 2004 - Rottweilers not welcome in Guysborough

The thing that kills me about this story is that the woman who is persuing this law is quoted as saying: "Even Boudreau doesn't blame the breed. Instead, she wants a law penalizing owners who don't control aggressive dogs. "People should have to restrain their dogs," she says."

So if the person that is driving this action doesn't want a breed ban, THEN WHY IS THIS ARTICLE ABOUT BREED BANS?!?!?!