The city of Montreal is banning pit bulls.This is not the first time a jurisdiction has done this,but,just as in the past,it's a misdirected effort.It simply misses the point in a way humans are all to prone to do.You see,the responsibility here belongs to humans,not animals that are limited in their ability to think,and respond acceptably to a world centered around humans.In this case,the banning of a specific breed is a knee jerk reaction to the tragic death of a woman by a pit bull earlier this year.In fact,the same could tragedy could have involved any of numerous other breeds,it just happened to have involved a pit bull.Really,that's a lot like saying that because a particular person was murdered by a black person,we should ban black people.Wait a minute,the cynical part of me wonders if that's not already happening.But that's a rambling for another day.
Human prejudice being what it is filters down to the animal world.What a shame.Dogs,when we really think about it are subjects of human stereotyping.Can you really deny that breeds like Golden Retrievers or Dalmatians or Irish Setters or Great Pyrenees are more highly valued than breeds like Pit bulls or Rottweilers? Moreover,the value placed on certain breeds like Pit Bulls seems in some cases to be placed there for the wrong reason.Clearly you can go to certain areas here in Toronto that are frequented by drug dealers who have Pit Bulls or some similar breed.Clearly they are being presented as a means of maintaining a persona which is intimidating.But that is not the dogs fault.And that's the whole point.The problem is irresponsible dog owners and misinformed attitudes.
I happen to love dogs.Some breeds more than others,admittedly.While I've become somewhat adept at figuring out canine non verbal language,I have been bitten by a dog.Once!In my entire life.I was making a delivery to a house at the time,a house that I'd delivered to several times without there ever being a sign of a dog within their fenced yard.There was no beware of dog sign.The breed in Question?An Australian Shepherd,a breed I'm especially fond of.In fact,if you ever advocate eliminating Aussies,you'll have a problem with me,and I can be a Pit Bull.My minor injury was the result of some irresponsible dog owners oversight.Not the fault of the dog.Dogs are territorial,that's in large part the whole point in having one.They tend to protect their own.But discerning friend from foe is something they don't always do perfectly.
Somehow we've gotten the idea that it's okay to download human responsibility on animals.This is not just a problem with dogs.It effects the whole animal world,because we encroach upon their territory thinking that they can simply be eliminated if they become a problem.People leave pet food out,then find themselves trying to find ways to annihilate skunks.Posters for lost pets seem to be especially prevalent in areas most frequented by coyotes,so coyotes get to be the villains.And I wonder,does anyone really think that the bears in our Mountain Parks enjoy being in your selfie? On my last trip by bus to Vancouver I saw eight selfie taking tourists,with accompanying bears along the highway.When the tragedy happens,and it will,it's a death sentence for another bear.
Meanwhile in Montreal,banning Pit Bull just misses the mark completely.The irresponsible training of dogs for nefarious purposes will continue unabated,only perhaps with different breeds.But perhaps not.Those who weaponize their dogs are not usually upstanding citizens,so the ban will not be much of a concern to them.Yet the responsibility in Montreal falls on dogs,not on negligent dog owners.In fact,bad dog owners have been allowed to avoid responsibility.That needs to change.
We need,among other things more stringent controls on dog owners in general.People who raise dogs using abusive techniques need to be banned from owning dogs.So do any other persons who commit criminal activity in which dogs are a part.In fact,if you deal drugs,maintain chop shops or receive,store or sell stolen goods and a dog is found anywhere within sight of your operation,you should forfeit the right to own a dog.Forever.We need fines,in the tens of thousands of dollars for allowing a dog to be out of control.Perhaps severe fines are also in order for those ignoring beware of dog signs.But my whole point is that humans need to be held to account for human negligence.Because it's not the fault of animals.
blyndpapaya
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