A new national survey commissioned by Best Friends Animal Society revealed that 84% of those polled believe that local, state or federal governments should not infringe on a person's right to own whatever breed of dog they choose.
The survey, conducted by Luntz Global, is consistent with a growing trend by many state and local governments that have repealed breed discriminatory provisions and enacted behaviour-based, breed-neutral dangerous dog laws.
Breed Specific Legisltaion (BSL) has been a controversial topic for decades. Behaviour specialist, Barbara Walmer, recently submitted an InfoStream article outlining the 'grey' areas of BSL.
"Within each dog breed certain characteristics tend to be selected for. However, due to genetic variability some offspring display these characteristics while others do not," she said. "It is also important to consider that depending on what environment and stimuli dogs are exposed to, some dogs may display certain behaviours to a different degree than others."
Last week, a preemption bill passed by the Utah State House was also passed by the state Senate. The bill would prevent any local government from enacting breed discriminatory legislation and will now be placed before the governor.
In Canada last year, New Westminster B.C. reviewed their own breed specific provisions. At the time, most of the Lower Mainland was moving toward breed-neutral legislation. The City of Winnipeg introduced Canada's first ban on pit bulls in 1990 and Ontario introduced its province-wide Pit Bull Ban in 2005. In 2004, New Brunswick considered breed specific legislation but opted instead for legislation which deals with all dangerous dogs. In Calgary in 2013, the city received public pressure for BSL following three separate attacks by pit bulls.
According to statistics posted online in February 2013 by the American Temperament Test Society, 86.8% of American Pit Bull Terriers successfully pass their temperament evaluations - a higher passing rate than many other popular breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Boston Terriers and Dachshunds. Out of 32,438 dogs tested since the organization was founded in 1977, the average passing rate for all breeds is 83%.
Showing posts with label best friends animal society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best friends animal society. Show all posts
01 November 2013
ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society contribute $120,000 to assist local rescue groups
The ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society are working together on an effort to help save the lives of more shelter animals in the city of Los Angeles through the holiday season. The two organizations plan to subsidize the 'shelter fees' for organizations that take animals from LA city shelters, allowing them to fast track more animals toward adoption.
This collaboration will greatly assist local rescue groups - who frequently pull animals from Los Angeles city shelters - by subsidizing the rescue groups' associated costs. These shelter fees include vaccinations, micro-chipping and spay/neuter for unaltered shelter pets.
In turn, these rescue groups will be able to pull more animals from the public shelters and instead use their budget dollars to provide for the animals in their care. The ASPCA is contributing $70,000 and Best Friends Animal Society is contributing $50,000 for a combined total of $120,000 through the end of 2013 to offset the costs to these groups, many of which operate with very limited budgets.
This collaboration will greatly assist local rescue groups - who frequently pull animals from Los Angeles city shelters - by subsidizing the rescue groups' associated costs. These shelter fees include vaccinations, micro-chipping and spay/neuter for unaltered shelter pets.
In turn, these rescue groups will be able to pull more animals from the public shelters and instead use their budget dollars to provide for the animals in their care. The ASPCA is contributing $70,000 and Best Friends Animal Society is contributing $50,000 for a combined total of $120,000 through the end of 2013 to offset the costs to these groups, many of which operate with very limited budgets.
30 May 2013
U.S. study finds behavioral concerns linked to retail sales
A new study conducted by Best Friends Animal Society and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine links abnormal behavior to dogs sold in pet stores.
The research compares a wide array of psychological and behavioral characteristics of 413 dogs purchased from pet stores with the same characteristics of 5,657 dogs obtained from small-scale, private breeders. Results show that dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores showed significantly more aggression toward human family members, unfamiliar people and other dogs.
This study may reiterate the importance of breeder care standards like those introduced in a Private Member's bill - Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals - by North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite earlier this year. This bill outlined standards that breeders in British Columbia must meet to ensure the welfare of animals. The legislation intended to strengthen British Columbia’s reputation in animal welfare and support reputable breeders while giving animal agencies new tools to shut down irresponsible breeding operations.
This study may reiterate the importance of breeder care standards like those introduced in a Private Member's bill - Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals - by North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite earlier this year. This bill outlined standards that breeders in British Columbia must meet to ensure the welfare of animals. The legislation intended to strengthen British Columbia’s reputation in animal welfare and support reputable breeders while giving animal agencies new tools to shut down irresponsible breeding operations.
22 May 2013
Survey finds purchase preferred to adoption in young adults
A survey conducted by Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah, concluded that 46% of people aged 18-34 were more likely to purchase a pet from a breeder or store rather than consider adoption. In addition, the same percentage believed that shelter animals were less desirable than those obtained from breeders.
The survey also identified that nearly half of the young adults surveyed thought homeless animals would remain in shelters until their adoption rather than face euthanasia.
Other numbers revealed in the survey (based on 1,000 surveyed by telephone in November 2012):
90% consider themselves pet lovers
86% believe showing affection to a pet is important
66% believe in regular veterinary check-ups
65% believe their pet should be spayed/neutered
33% are aware that spaying/neutering can improve behavior
28% are aware that spaying/neutering can improve pet health
The survey also identified that nearly half of the young adults surveyed thought homeless animals would remain in shelters until their adoption rather than face euthanasia.
Other numbers revealed in the survey (based on 1,000 surveyed by telephone in November 2012):
90% consider themselves pet lovers
86% believe showing affection to a pet is important
66% believe in regular veterinary check-ups
65% believe their pet should be spayed/neutered
33% are aware that spaying/neutering can improve behavior
28% are aware that spaying/neutering can improve pet health
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