An elderly rottweiler named Clancy became a character witness for her breed

[Bucky's Mom]

Dog lovers appeal to N.B. politicians not to restrict dogs based on breed

Tue Nov 16, 2:13 PM ET

CHRIS MORRIS

FREDERICTON (CP) - An elderly rottweiler named Clancy became a character witness for her breed on Tuesday as public debate began on proposed legislation to restrict certain kinds of dogs in New Brunswick.



Clancy, a personal assistance dog, accompanied Fredericton resident Carol Randall as she appealed from her wheelchair for recognition of the good and loving companions dogs can be, even those breeds frequently dismissed as aggressive and threatening.


Clancy, 11 years old, sat quietly by Randall's wheelchair, unperturbed by the lights, the people and the cameras that were part of the opening day of hearings held by the all-party law amendments committee.


"Only God knows how much longer I will have Clancy," said Randall, fighting tears as she acknowledged the advanced age of her longtime companion.


"Life without my best friend is very difficult to think about."


Randall said Clancy is friendly, loving and devoted. The rottweiler helps Randall by picking up items, including the remote control for the television.


The pair presented an image that was at odds with the horrific stories New Brunswick politicians have heard following several dog attacks in the province, including the mauling death last year of a four-year-old boy near Saint John.


James Waddell was killed by three rottweilers that had been left unattended in the backyard of the child's home on New Brunswick's Kingston Peninsula.


Other jurisdictions are considering bans or partial bans on dogs based on breeds, including Ontario, where a law banning ownership of pit bulls could be passed by Christmas.


Pit bulls already have been banned in Windsor, Ont., Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., and Winnipeg.


There are similar bans in France, Britain and Germany.


The push for a similar law in New Brunswick started with Waddell's mauling.


"The most important thing was we had the death of a child," said Opposition Liberal member Kelly Lamrock, who sponsored the proposed bill to restrict rottweilers, Japanese akitas and so-called pit bulls, the catch-all name for Staffordshire bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers.


Lamrock said that while the opening day of the debate proved there is opposition to the idea of restricting specific breeds, there is universal agreement that the province should do something to hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their pets.


"Deeds not breeds should be addressed," said Clive Wilkinson, president of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada.


New Brunswick's proposed Restricted Dogs Act would classify breeds like rottweilers and pit bulls as dangerous and would require their owners to carry liability insurance for at least $1 million.


The law would also require the designated breeds to be muzzled at all times when off their owners' property.





The opening day of the two-day public hearing was dominated by dog lovers who advised the politicians to avoid writing laws based on breeds.

"Restricting dogs solely on the basis of their breed reveals a failure to recognize that many factors contribute to aggressive behaviour in dogs," said Jane Jenkins of the Fredericton SPCA.

"Just as the stereotyping of people based on genetic characteristics is unfair, so too is the stereotyping of certain breeds of dogs."

But the committee will also hear from people who have suffered because of uncontrolled dogs, including a Fredericton man whose family watched as a rottweiler killed their beloved Shihtzu.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...anti_dog_law_1

[MontanaRott]

That is a great story! Thanks Lisa.

[Tank's Grandma]

Positive news is always great. Thanks.

[Troy]

Great PR to wake a few minds up.

Thanks for sharing the story.

[Brooke&Ryan]

I'm always up for hearing positive Rottie stories in the News section. It always makes my day!


Brooke

[HerculesMomma]

That is a great story! Of course, I couldn't help but pass this up....

What does carrying a 1 million dollar personal liability policy solve for a pit bull/rottweiler owner? It doesn't prevent or solve anything - so why implement such a law?

[mars817]

That's great they showed this side of rottis:)