The lawyer for a man who owned the python that killed two young boys in New Brunswick in August 2013 says his client has been arrested in the case.
READ MORE: Exotic pets overwhelms Urban Animal Conversations
Four-year-old Noah Barthe and his six-year-old brother Connor were killed in New Brunswick after a 45-kilogram African rock python escaped its enclosure and allegedly asphyxiated the boys.
In July last year, RCMP said they compiled the investigation into their deaths and handed the case to the Crown to determine whether charges should be laid.
READ MORE: Arrest made in fatal python cae in New Brunswick
Showing posts with label care and control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label care and control. Show all posts
04 December 2014
U.S. County revisits spay neuter legislation
A small municipality in northwestern Indiana is reconsidering a mandate to enforce mandatory spaying an neutering in pets.
In October, Tippecanoe County commissioners backed down from a proposed spay/neuter bylaw which required dogs and cats to be sterilized before they turned 9 months old. An exception would be made for pet owners who procure a free breeding permit. According to a local news article, the ordinance didn't make it past second reading because pet owners and advocates spoke up.
But one of the County's attorneys says it is reconsidering some of the provisions of the ordinance. In addition to the spay/neuter item, the proposal included items about controlling one's animals, providing food and water and not allowing animals to harm people or other animals. After some discussion, County councillors removed the mandatory spay/neuter act from the ordinance but proposed that residents found violating the above provisions would be asked to microchip or sterilize their pet.
In October, Tippecanoe County commissioners backed down from a proposed spay/neuter bylaw which required dogs and cats to be sterilized before they turned 9 months old. An exception would be made for pet owners who procure a free breeding permit. According to a local news article, the ordinance didn't make it past second reading because pet owners and advocates spoke up.
But one of the County's attorneys says it is reconsidering some of the provisions of the ordinance. In addition to the spay/neuter item, the proposal included items about controlling one's animals, providing food and water and not allowing animals to harm people or other animals. After some discussion, County councillors removed the mandatory spay/neuter act from the ordinance but proposed that residents found violating the above provisions would be asked to microchip or sterilize their pet.
02 December 2014
Mobile adoption centre scoops up 2014 Homing Summit
 |
| Left to right: Katy Walker, AC&C Adoption Outreach Coordinator; Risa Weinstock, AC&C Executive Director; Anamarie Johnson, AC&C Foster and Events Liaison; Ashlee Krammer, AC&C Adoption Counselor; and Susan Wolfe, AC&C volunteer. Photo Credit: NYC AC&C |
PRESS RELEASE
 |
| Photo Credit: NYC AC&C |
Shannon Woodward, Communications Coordinator
ABOUT URBAN ANIMAL PROGRAM: The Urban Animal Program (UAP) began eight years ago with the vision of uniting the sectors of a fragmented animal industry in order to solve some of the chronic urban animal challenges facing our communities. The group identified the need to explore strategic problem solving using a more inclusive approach.
The UAP has grown successfully through the addition of high quality speakers and key opinion leaders in all sectors, and has achieved tremendous momentum, fuelled by the intense desire for positive change. Delegates have always decided which subjects warrant discussion. Hosted by the PetLynx Corporation since its inception, the Urban Animal Program utilizes sponsorship to fund the Urban Animal Summit and Urban Animal Regional Conferences. The animal industry, communities, pet families and the pet are the direct beneficiaries of this sponsorship, as leaders take these discussions, projects and initiatives back to their communities. There is a strong track record of spawning valuable collaborations from the UAP.
24 November 2014
Breed Specific Legislation heading the way of the dinosaur
Several U.S. municipalities are reconsidering their approach to breed specific bans.
For 30 years, more than 700 cities across the country enforced pit bull restrictions and bans. Over the past two years, more than 100 of those communities have overtunred the legislation, including nine since June, 2014.
Advocates argue the bans have been ineffective in reducing dog bites and led to millions of dogs being euthanized. They say too often, animal control officials, law enforcement and the media misidentify offending dogs as pit bulls.
This year, South Dakota and Utah joined 17 other states in passing laws to prevent local governments passing "breed-specific legislation" (BSL), making it illegal for cities to pass bans targeting pit bulls or any other breed.
READ MORE: U.S. Communities increasingly ditching pit bull bans
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%.
READ MORE: Does the breed of a dog tell us anything about its behaviour?
For 30 years, more than 700 cities across the country enforced pit bull restrictions and bans. Over the past two years, more than 100 of those communities have overtunred the legislation, including nine since June, 2014.
Advocates argue the bans have been ineffective in reducing dog bites and led to millions of dogs being euthanized. They say too often, animal control officials, law enforcement and the media misidentify offending dogs as pit bulls.
This year, South Dakota and Utah joined 17 other states in passing laws to prevent local governments passing "breed-specific legislation" (BSL), making it illegal for cities to pass bans targeting pit bulls or any other breed.
READ MORE: U.S. Communities increasingly ditching pit bull bans
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%.
READ MORE: Does the breed of a dog tell us anything about its behaviour?
03 October 2014
City of Calgary launches new licensing website
This week, Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services launched a new pet licensing website to improve service to Calgarians.
Once testing of the site is completed in the Spring of 2015, developers will have the ability to add features such as Interac payment, automatic withdrawls and renewals.
Check out the new site at https://petlicence.calgary.ca/
Once testing of the site is completed in the Spring of 2015, developers will have the ability to add features such as Interac payment, automatic withdrawls and renewals.
Check out the new site at https://petlicence.calgary.ca/
20 August 2014
Integrated Retail Adoption Centre reaches milestone
The partnership between Petland Red Deer and Alberta Animal Services reached an important milestone yesterday when it reached 1,000 rescued animal adoptions.
READ MORE: Erica Coomber and Amy Pawson on Integrated Retail Adoption
The journey began in 2011 when the two organizations developed a plan to integreate retail and adoption at the Red Deer Centre. Last year, Petland funded a full-serivce adoption centre for adoptable Alberta Animal Services animals at its Red Deer location.
READ MORE: Alberta partnership features on OSPCA Pawdcast
Cherry, a 3-month-old brown tabby kitten, marked the milestone adoption. Her adoptee, Andrea, was sent home with a gift basket and $100 Petland gift card.
READ MORE: Erica Coomber and Amy Pawson on Integrated Retail Adoption
The journey began in 2011 when the two organizations developed a plan to integreate retail and adoption at the Red Deer Centre. Last year, Petland funded a full-serivce adoption centre for adoptable Alberta Animal Services animals at its Red Deer location.
READ MORE: Alberta partnership features on OSPCA Pawdcast
Cherry, a 3-month-old brown tabby kitten, marked the milestone adoption. Her adoptee, Andrea, was sent home with a gift basket and $100 Petland gift card.
18 August 2014
Klassic Kennels expands services
DeBoon, an animal control officer, supplies animal bylaw services to nine communities in Red Deer County. The new 12,000 sq.ft. facility, located north of Red Deer, will hold 140 animals and provide grooming, boarding, behaviour training, an adoption centre and programs to develop skills for law enforcement organizations.
03 July 2014
South Dakota law prohibits municipal breed bans
A new law protecting breed specific discrimination in municipalities went into effect in South Dakota July 1, 2014.
Senate Bill 75, signed into law by Gov. Dennis Daugaard in March, prevents local governments from regulating certain dog breeds. The bill was specifically aimed at preventing municipalities from banning ownership of pit bulls, a dog breed often deemed vicious but which animal rights advocates consider trainable and safe.
At least three South Dakota cities currently place restrictions or enforce pit bull bans. In the United States, 17 other states have passed bills similar to SB 75.
Jacque Johnson, a representative for the Best Friends Animal Society said bans on specific dog breeds go against the grain of equal property rights.
"We are kind of hoping that it sets the tone for the rest of the Midwest states because it really is a property rights issue," she said. "If you're a responsible owner then you should be able to own any breed of dog that you choose."
READ THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL NEWS ARTICLE
Senate Bill 75, signed into law by Gov. Dennis Daugaard in March, prevents local governments from regulating certain dog breeds. The bill was specifically aimed at preventing municipalities from banning ownership of pit bulls, a dog breed often deemed vicious but which animal rights advocates consider trainable and safe.
At least three South Dakota cities currently place restrictions or enforce pit bull bans. In the United States, 17 other states have passed bills similar to SB 75.
Jacque Johnson, a representative for the Best Friends Animal Society said bans on specific dog breeds go against the grain of equal property rights.
"We are kind of hoping that it sets the tone for the rest of the Midwest states because it really is a property rights issue," she said. "If you're a responsible owner then you should be able to own any breed of dog that you choose."
READ THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL NEWS ARTICLE
27 May 2014
Bylaw Amendment: Household pet limits *UPDATE*
Results to a survey requesting feedback on a proposed household pet limit bylaw amendment for the City of Calgary were made available by councillor Diane Colley-Urquart last week.
Earlier this month, Colley-Urquart posted a short survey to her professional blog asking whether or not limits on the number of household pets should be implemented and what that limit should be. She received over 1,300 responses and noted that, "while this poll was by no means scientific, the level of engagement on my blog and survey was impressive and shows how much Calgarians care about their pets."
To summarize, survey 67% of participants responded that there should be no limit to the maximum number of dogs allowed in a single family home. Sixty-five percent of participants responded there should be no limit to the number of cats allowed.
Colley-Urquart presented her notice of motion to Calgary city councillors during the regular meeting of council Monday, May 26, 2014.
Detailed responses and participant comments available HERE.
Earlier this month, Colley-Urquart posted a short survey to her professional blog asking whether or not limits on the number of household pets should be implemented and what that limit should be. She received over 1,300 responses and noted that, "while this poll was by no means scientific, the level of engagement on my blog and survey was impressive and shows how much Calgarians care about their pets."
To summarize, survey 67% of participants responded that there should be no limit to the maximum number of dogs allowed in a single family home. Sixty-five percent of participants responded there should be no limit to the number of cats allowed.
Colley-Urquart presented her notice of motion to Calgary city councillors during the regular meeting of council Monday, May 26, 2014.
Detailed responses and participant comments available HERE.
20 May 2014
Bylaw Amendments - Household pet limits
A city councillor is surveying Calgary residents to gather feedback on a bylaw amendment to limit the number of pets allowed in a household.
Following the seizure of 33 dogs from a Calgary home last week, Coun. Diane Colley-Urquart is introducing a notice of motion to amend the current responsible pet ownership bylaw to include limits on the number of dogs and cats Calgarians are allowed to own.
"Recent events covered in the media have highlighted the health and safety risks to both humans and animals when a single household is overburdened with pets," said Colley-Urquart in a blog post. "In the interest of public safety, it is the responsibility of Council to address this issue and protect the quality of life of both our citizens and our animals."
Presently, the bylaw includes regulations on licensing, cleaning up after pets and keeping animals under control but does not indicate how many animals one household can have.
Many Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg, restrict the number of household pets. On Monday, May 26, Colley-Urquart will bring her Notice of Motion forward to Council. Until then she is requesting feedback from the public through a brief survey.
Following the seizure of 33 dogs from a Calgary home last week, Coun. Diane Colley-Urquart is introducing a notice of motion to amend the current responsible pet ownership bylaw to include limits on the number of dogs and cats Calgarians are allowed to own.
"Recent events covered in the media have highlighted the health and safety risks to both humans and animals when a single household is overburdened with pets," said Colley-Urquart in a blog post. "In the interest of public safety, it is the responsibility of Council to address this issue and protect the quality of life of both our citizens and our animals."
Presently, the bylaw includes regulations on licensing, cleaning up after pets and keeping animals under control but does not indicate how many animals one household can have.
Many Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg, restrict the number of household pets. On Monday, May 26, Colley-Urquart will bring her Notice of Motion forward to Council. Until then she is requesting feedback from the public through a brief survey.
14 May 2014
Jerry Aschenbrenner Scholarship for Emerging Leaders in Animal Services, Care and Control
Jerry Aschenbrenner, was born in Watson, SK, on the 16th day of April, 1940. Growing up with an agricultural background, three careers and life experiences gave him a breadth of understanding for humans and animals in the modern urban municipality.
Jerry graduated from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1959. As a member of Canada’s national police force, he moved through the ranks, enjoying rural policing and Highway Patrol duties in Western Canada. A highlight of his career was his involvement in VIP Security including his role coordinating motorcades during the Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.
After a policing career that spanned 21 years, he began a second career with the Alberta Department of Justice. Working in the court system gave him at broader understanding of the judicial process. After two years in the Justice system Jerry began a third career managing Animal Services for the City of Calgary. His experience in policing and justice helped him to develop a new way of thinking about the complexities of human and animal interactions in modern urban neighbourhoods.
He soon realized bylaw compliance needed an increase in monetary consequences for those who didn’t comply and an increase in value for the paying public. Within a decade, his City of Calgary department became a model for Animal Services across North America. A drive-home program for lost animals, zero subsidies from municipal taxes and the ‘People for Responsible Animal Control’ (PRAC) program were three elements of this success. Ever the humble one, he refused celebrity status, choosing instead to focus on serving the city that paid his salary. His crowning achievements were opening a modern Animal Services facility and accepting the first Summit for Lifetime Achievement from Urban Animal™.
In 2014, two scholarships will be awarded under the Urban Animal™ Emerging Leader program and recognized during the 2014 Urban Animal™ Foundation Dinner on Thursday evening, October 23rd.
20 March 2014
A shift from Breed Specific to Breed Neutral Legislation?
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%.
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%.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)