(Photo credit: Steph Skardal/Flickr)
When Ontario banned pit bulls almost a decade ago, there was controversy around whether breed specific bans were effective in stopping dog bites.
Recently, the Toronto Star published data provided by the city of Toronto that shows that these bans may be.
In 2013, there were 13 reported dog bites by pit bulls, while the population of this breed dropped to 501. This is a huge drop from 2004, where in Toronto there were 984 licensed pit bulls and 168 reported bites.
Dog owners who owned pit bulls before the ban went into effect were allowed to keep their dogs as long as they followed specific protocol, which included muzzling the dog in public and keeping it sterilized.
There remains controversy in regards to what’s considered a pit bull. Toronto’s ban focuses on pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and American pit bull terriers, as well as dogs who have a similar appearance to these breeds, according to the Star. Currently, inspectors follow a checklist that helps them determine whether the dog is considered a pit bull or not.
Also, critics of the ban told the Star that how a dog is trained or treated has a greater effect on their behaviour rather than their genetics. Also, pit bull attacks are more likely to be reported due to people’s perception of their dangerous nature and the bite numbers only account for licensed animals and only 30 per cent of dogs in the city are licensed.
Dog owners are responsible when their pup bites a person or another animal. Even if the owner is unaware of the dog’s violent or aggressive tendencies, this doesn’t exempt them from the legal responsibilities that comes with owning a canine.
At the end of October, two unattended pit bulls attacked another dog that was taking a walk with its owner in Gatineau. The pit bulls escaped from a nearby home and the dog that was attacked suffered several bites. Police are considering fining the owner for letting the dogs wander unattended, letting the dogs roam without a muzzle and not having a dog license for the canines, according to Metro News.
Neinstein’s Rose Leto talks about a dog owner’s liability if their canine is involved in a dog attack in the news segment below.
Dog bites can be very dangerous to humans and no matter what dog it is, there are some steps you can take to prevent being bitten by a canine you encounter.
Sometimes accidents happen and Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers are here for you if they do. The personal injury and accident lawyers have been handling all types of injuries for over 45 years including injuries caused by dog attacks. We understand the impacts injuries can have on you and we can help fight your case. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come chat with us.
Greg Neinstein
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