Some common sense - finally

[AndrewF]

Here's to a girl's idea and a premier who has the sense to listen!

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/15/dog-owner-licences050415.html

[Rose's Gal]

YAY little girl!!!! :D :D That is what I've been thinking a long time. Stop banning the breeds, and start making people earn the right to own these wonderful dogs!

[2pups622]

how is a licence gonna stop a dog from bitting ??

[Renee750il]

The owner has to show some ability to handle a dog in this scheme. It's a wonderful idea; responsible breeders and rescue organizations have been screening potential owners for a long time and have been saying the same kind of thing.

[2pups622]

is it only large breeds like pits and rotties and them i dont take brownie out unless we go to the vet and hes never out by himself

[AndrewF]

how is a licence gonna stop a dog from bitting ??

It won't. Owners are the ones who do that. Always have and always will.

Should this come to fruition, hopefully, licensing (ie, screening potential owners) will eliminate potential owners who aren't committed to a dogs training and care for the duration of a dogs life.

[Renee750il]

It's a proposal for certain breeds is what I understand.

The one thing that worries me about it is who sets the standard? I'm not the typical large breed owner - I handle my dogs very differently than most, but my dogs are well behaved in public and able to go anywhere without me having to be concerned about them being inappropriately defensive.

[AndrewF]

It's a proposal for certain breeds is what I understand.


The article states "aggressive dogs". I can only hope if this does work out that it's not based on "aggressive breeds" at all - but rather dog ownership in general. There's a lot of 'snappy' small dogs out there which are excused solely on their size - and as far as I'm concerned, they're equally unfit to own a dog as a person who allows a larger dog to bite. The fact is, if a person is going to make a lousy owner for a pitbull or rottie (I'm speaking in terms of training and behaviour), then they'd be lousy for a yorkie, toy poodle or Jack-Russell.

The last quote in the article sums things up perfectly.

' "The problem with the dogs is not the dogs themselves – it's the dog owners." '

[jackrussgirl]

That's awesome.

[Saje]

That was the mayor that responded to her. Not the premier. But it's wonderful. And i hope it goes provincial and then federal!

[gaddylovesdogs]

Yay!!

[smkie]

out of the mouths of babes....comes wisdom.

[Babyblue5290]

I am having my doubts on this. :(
Like someone has already said, Who sets the standards?
I am a little afraid that whoever does set the standards will go to far with them. I mean what kind of test are they thinking of giving potential dog owners?
You can't just have someone take a written test on the subject because that doesn't insure that they will follow through with what they write. And if they would take a test on actually handling a dog, how would you be able to know which person is a "good owner" or a "bad owner"?
Plus would the test cost money? All you would do then is weed out the real poor people and favor the rich. How much would a test cost? What would happen if the people started to raise costs because of their greed?
I think it's a good idea in theory, but I am not sure it would actually work.

[Saje]

We had to take a test to get approved for Maverick- by the SPCA. I'm guessing it would be something like that. Except they didn't come to our home which I think they should have. But they asked us all about training and had us bring our cat to a neutral place to meet Mav. And I'm all for checkups too. Same kinds of things a responsible breeder would do.

[Gustav]

It's a fantastic idea! Well done her, for taking the time and trouble to get her voice heard!

[CreatureTeacher]

Good for you, little girl! She's my new hero!

[Saje]

Maybe we can right to her! :D

[Saje]

turns out there are 31 hallerans in St. John's. That's a surprise

[CreatureTeacher]

Let us know if you get an address. I could start a letter and we could all mail it around until everyone signed it, then we could send it to her! We could write one to the mayor, too!!

[Saje]

that's a great idea!

[Gustav]

That's a good idea CT!! I'd definatley sign!

[Saje]

I could get her a gift certificate too or something

[Saje]

Here's the email for Mayor Andy Wells of St. John's Newfoundland
andywells@stjohns.ca

And her he is http://www.stjohns.ca/cityhall/biography/wells.jsp

[CreatureTeacher]

I'll start writing a letter tonight and wait for Detective Saje to give us an address. Do we want to do a paper letter or an e-mail?

[Gustav]

Tricky! I don't see how we would all sign it if it was paper! Would take a week to get here from the states!! :D The French are never rushed into anything!! ;)

[CreatureTeacher]

That would be okay. Everyone could PM me their address, I could make a list that went by region and include it with the letter. You'd sign it, cross off your address, and send it to the next one on the list! Then we could send one copy over to the UK and pass the other one around the States, then up to Canada. They'd get 2 letters each, one from North America and one from Europe! How's that for impressive? :)

[Saje]

I've emailed the mayor and asked if we could send it to his office. I didn't think that anyone was going to give me a little girls address and I didn't really want to ask for it.

How about if you all send me your letters... and I put it all in a box and send it to her? I'd like to get her a gift certificate as well.

And I don't think we should forget the mayor since he is being open to a .. 8-year-old?

[CreatureTeacher]

Oh, I didn't think of that! lol, I suppose it would be creepy to send it to the little girl. I'll write 2 letters, one for the mayor and one for the little girl in case folks don't want to write their own. Then we can just print them off and mail them a bunch of letters!

[Saje]

Yup. We could mail it directly to their office or send it to me and I'll put everyones together. I like snail mail better just cuz it's more personal. I might include pictures of my dogs. :)

[Gustav]

That would be okay. Everyone could PM me their address, I could make a list that went by region and include it with the letter. You'd sign it, cross off your address, and send it to the next one on the list! Then we could send one copy over to the UK and pass the other one around the States, then up to Canada. They'd get 2 letters each, one from North America and one from Europe! How's that for impressive? :)

This would be a good idea, as i'm a bit lacking in letter writing skills! Darn you emails, telephone and messenger!! :D

[Saje]

that is a good idea. And you are funny Louise.

[bubbatd]

Here again, I feel that all dogs should go through the CGC ( Canine Good Citizen ) and be rewarded by a cut in local registration costs....this is a simple test, costing little, that is required before a dog can get their TDI (Therapy Dog International ) or the equalivant. Dogs that can't pass this test need training . It is the owner, not the breed. If it is the dog, then it's poor breeding and the dog is dangerous.

[Gustav]

that is a good idea. And you are funny Louise.

Funny as in Ha ha, or Funny as in i'm not sitting next to her! She's a bit funny?!! :D

[Saje]

ha ha ha. both. I mean Ha ha

[CreatureTeacher]

Okay, here's what I've got. The first one is for little Maria, the second one is for the mayor. Edit as you see fit. As I understand it, here's the steps:
1. Print out 2 separate letters, one to Maria and one to Mayor Wells. Sign the bottoms and date the tops.
2. Personalize the letters with anything you like for Maria or the Mayor.
3. Send to Saje, who will collect them and ship them off to their ultimate destinations.

********
Dear Maria,

I read about your letter to Mayor Wells. I think getting owners to pass a test before they can own a “high risk” dog is a wonderful idea! It would do a world of good for the misunderstood dog breeds to be restricted to owners who could prove that they could be responsible. You’ve done a wonderful thing for the dogs, and I know they would all thank you if they could!

Sincerely,




**************
Dear Mayor Wells,

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering the concept proposed by Maria Halleran, concerning the licensing of prospective owners of “high risk” dog breeds. I believe strongly in responsible dog ownership for the life of the dog. Careless owners don’t just put their dogs at risk, they put the community at risk. Too many dogs lose their happiness, health, homes, and lives when an owner doesn’t devote the time and resources to making sure their dog is a safe, positive animal.

I understand the logistical problems associated with the proposal, but I hope to see that such a process is implemented for the benefit of all, human and canine alike. I support and admire your efforts to create a community educated in the responsibilities and rewards of conscientious dog ownership.

Sincerely,



***********

[Gustav]

Good plan, will do that first thing tomorrow morning!! :D I was thinking I may handwrite it, but that may send my body into total shock!! Don't know if i've even got a pen!! :D

[Saje]

Excellent. I'm going to start a new thread about this and I think that everyone should post it on other pet forums that they visit.

[CreatureTeacher]

What do you want to call the deadline for everyone's letters, Saje? A month or so? Give those overseas folks time to get theirs in? Oh, and what address should we mail them to?

I'm all excited. I already printed mine out and put dog stickers all over them! :D

[Saje]

lol That's so cute. I don't mind sharing my address with people here but I do want them to pm me for it.

I'm waiting to hear back from the mayor. I probably won't before monday.

[Babyblue5290]

I think I'm a bit confused.....would the owners take the test before they get the dog? Or after they've had it for a while?

[Saje]

It hasn't been written out yet Baby but I'm sure it would be before.

[Babyblue5290]

OH Ok..... :o I thought it was already a law. I guess I shouldv'e read a little more carfully. Anyways, it's a good idea and for a little girl to come up with this is amazing. :)