Petition Tag - dangerous dog

This morning I was watching Lorraine and the two people discussing the news story about the child attacked by a Staffie made comments like "I just don't understand why any one would want to own one of those kinds of dogs when they are so dangerous" and "You just don't get aggressive Labradors".

If you think those comments are correct then walk away and continue to lead a narrow minded life but if you think that it should be deed not breed then please sign so we can get a proper apology from the show and maybe they can get someone who actually knows about dogs to give people the facts!

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On Saturday, August 14th, 2010, I Rachel Jael Reilly, of the Township of Zorra, received a visit from an Oxford County O.P.P. Officer. This officer informed me that due to complaints about my Border Collie, Shelby Reilly, being aggressive towards a neighour's pet, a Jack Russell, I may be required to euthanize my best friend, and be treated like a criminal.

The officer stated, that I will be served with papers, deeming me as a Dangerous Dog Owner in the near future. This will force me to use up all my resources, to fight to have this ugly and very untrue label removed.

There are certain mitigating factors, and the alleged attack, occurred over a month before anyone contacted me. The complainant and I had spoken about that ONE alleged incident, right after it happened, to sort things out, as good neighbours should.

The alleged incident occured right in front of my property. The Jack Russell and his owner, were in front of my house; the complainant's dog was not on a lead of any kind, and was running free to antagonize other animals. This is in contrary to Township By-Laws. This can be seen as a contributing factor, to my dog chasing after the complainant's dog.

I have lived here for 6 years, and never has complainant's dogs been controlled on a leash. In fact, not many dog owners here control or leash their animals.

In hindsight now, I guess I should have called the authorities, when I once witnessed the complainant, booting my dog around - in front of MY house.

The complainant that is having us investigated, expects everyone, but himself, to follow Township Policies regarding dogs. We never called the Township, to complain about his at-large and aggressive animal, but wish we would have now. Essentially, we were the ones trying to be good neighbours.

Many of our friends and neighbours came to us today, to show their support. ALL have mentioned that our dog is extremely well behaved, and well taken care of. All of our neighbours, have voiced concern about the complainant's dog, saying it is the one who is the real problem (defecating on other residents properties, and being aggressive towards individuals and their animals).

I was informed today, that the complainant, has had to euthanize one of his previous Jack Russell Terriers, because it was extremely aggressive, and caused injury to another. If this is true, perhaps the complainant is the problem, and this proves that he is unable to control his own animals.

Other inhabitants of this community, have stated that they are in no way afraid of my dog causing harm to their families, their health, their well-being, or their safety.

I believe, there must be some kind of personal conflict, that make this situation very one-sided. We are being bullied - for no rational reason whatsoever. One month ago, the complainant, threatened to "kill" my dog.

Never, has there been any report of personal injury to any person, or animal, by my loving dog. The officer commented that he has very little knowledge himself, and provided no proof. Nothing has been produced to me to show that she has hurt a person or another animal. Yet, I was still advised to EUTHANIZE poor Shelby.

I am a level four Support Worker. Shelby, is a working dog, and currently helps support two young men with Special Needs. She also offers friendship and therapy to many others. Often, she is requested to visit people. Right now, we have an overwhelming amount of people who wish to have her with them.

If this dog is labelled as dangerous, the young men she supports will suffer. They rely on her, and make her an important part of their routines. Shelby assists individuals in maintaining their independence, and offers comfort and security. She guards and looks out for the safety, of those she supports - as do I.

Shelby, is in NO way, a dangerous dog. Children love her, can lay on her, pull her ears and tail, take away her food, and all she does is lay there.

Shelby, is simply a Border Collie, with sharp instincts, who like to support, herd, and chase, with no ill-will towards others. She is trained, obedient, Collie/Sheltie mix, and is socialized well with other dogs.

The other dog in question, would not socialize with my dog in the beginning, and was aggressive with my animal right from the start. Dogs personalities I think, reflect that of their owners.

Our Collie, is only guilty of being super intelligent, and full of energy. She is extremely well-known, and valued highly, as a community dog.

My main target groups are for those who know Shelby personally, and can attest to her true nature. However, other interested individuals may also sign the petition, and leave their thoughts in the comment box. We thank you all for your time, and for caring about Shelby. If she could thank you all, she would.

UPDATE:

I have now sent a written request to the By-law Administrator, Mr. D. McLeod, who has yet to respond.
The By-law Officer, Melissa Paton, is On Leave; her emails keep bouncing back.

After I sent the initial request, for a Hearing, Mr. McLeod's emails are suddenly bouncing back to me as well. However, the request, to conduct a hearing, on behalf of Shelby, to remove the dangerous dog declaration, DID go through.

Again, no one has contacted me, or sent me any special deliveries. And, it seems apparent now, that I have been blocked, by certain By-law officials, from sending any further electronic communications. Hopefully, they received a flood of emails, from all of our supporters.

My wish, is that this petition will generate enough signatures, phone calls, and emails, to stop the Corporation of the Township of Zorra, from taking our cherished best friend from us, or making us jump through ridiculous hoops to keep her with us.

For anyone else who would like to advocate on Shelby Reilly's behalf, please sign this petition, and then contact:

Zorra Township By-Law Officer, Melissa Paton, mpaton@zorra.on.ca
(519) 485-2490 ext. 230

OR

**Chief Adminstrative Officer, Don MacLeod
dmacleod@zorra.on.ca
485-2490 ext. 226

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The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG) is a wide-ranging group representing animal welfare, local authorities and veterinary professional organisations which includes representation from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club, The Mayhew Animal Home, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Wandsworth Borough Council and Wood Green Animal Shelters.

We consider that the Dangerous Dogs Act needs to be overhauled to better protect the public and that a new dog control regime that emphasises responsible dog ownership should be introduced.

The Lord Redesdale has tabled a Private Members Bill in Westminster which provides for the following

• Repeal of the Dogs Act 1871, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 including breed specific legislation

The police expend significant resources on enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act in the UK, with large amounts of money being spent on the seizure and kennelling of dogs simply because of their breed type - many of these dogs are returned to their owners once proved to be of good temperament. Removing breed specific legislation would allow resources to be used more effectively elsewhere, and preferably concentrated on those dogs showing unprovoked aggression.

• Introduce Dog Control Notices

The vast majority of dog attacks are a result of the irresponsible actions of dog owners, who have either not taken the time and trouble to train their dog correctly, or have indeed trained them to behave aggressively. Dog Control Notices will apply to all types of dog that have acted dangerously without provocation, caused an injury to another animal, caused harm, or caused a person to reasonably believe it will cause harm and aims to prevent serious incidents of aggression occurring by allowing preventative action.

• Apply to both public AND private places

A large proportion of dog attacks occur in the home and involve a dog that is known to the victim. The Dog Control Bill will make attacks on private property a criminal offence. Greater responsibility is therefore placed on owners to ensure that their dogs are not out of control in any place.

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July 28, 2006

My three year old daughter was attacked while being looked after at a neighbour's house. Their border collie tore my daughters face, she needed 60 stitches and three operations, that is to date, she will need more in the future.

The dog is still allowed to live in there family home and it is to her discretion whether or not to have the dog destroyed as the dangerous dogs act only applies to dogs who bite in public.

This woman lives two roads down and still allows her dog to roam the street and walk freely around her home where her twin girls (also 3) live.

This dangerous dog should not be allowed to walk freely among her own children who are not old enough to understand the danger or to roam the street in front of her house.

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The aim of this petition is to abolish the Dangerous Dog Act on the grounds that it is the usually the owner's fault if a dog is aggressive, and it is possible to reform dogs, which is fairer then executing them.

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