The Pit Bull Placebo - The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression
by Karen Delise
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Reducing the Incidence of Dog Bites and Attacks: Do Breed Bans Work? This document reflects expertise from the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Kennel Club and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada. They are members of the National Companion Animal Coalition (NCAC), which was created in 1996 to promote responsible pet ownership and enhance the health and well being of companion animals.

We are all aware of the newspaper articles, magazine stories, and TV segments that show pictures of dogs and then reveal DNA breed analyses of the dogs. Surprise - the DNA results are not what were expected based on the appearance of the dogs or the owners' beliefs. Those of us who walk through shelters and animal control facilities compare the posted breed descriptions of the dogs to what they look like to us - with frequent differences of opinions.

BILL 132 SUMMARY OF THOSE FOR & AGAINST THE PROPOSED BAN, BILL 132 SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS FOR & AGAINST THE BAN, EXPERTS FOR BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION (BSL), EXPERTS AGAINST BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION (BSL)

The term "pit bull characteristics" and "all three bully breeds" are used as descriptions of the dogs that the breed-specific laws would apply to. However, I'm not sure what a "pit bull characteristic" is because the term pit bull does not refer to any specific breed of dog. It is ironic that legislation containing the words "breed" and "specific" define "the specific breed" as a nebulous group of three or more distinct breeds along with any other dog that might be mixed with those breeds.

THE GOAL From mission statement to action, their goal is: - Identify the issues - Engage the community - Build a process that works - Make people see licensing as win-win (95% voluntary compliance) - Back it up (5% enforcement) - Measure It (how do you know you are improving?)

Bill Bruce Director of Calgary's Animal and Bylaw Services says; "Virtually every animal that winds up in a shelter is the result of a failed human relationship." This is true. Calgary encourages responsible pet ownership through licensing, public education and enforcement. From mission statement to action, their goal is:
- Identify the issues
- Engage the community
- Build a process that works
- Make people see licensing is a win-win (95% voluntary compliance)
- Back it up (5% enforcement)
- Measure It (how do you know you are improving)