Study Shows Pit Bull Ban Does Not Stop Dog Bites

Results of a new study showed “no significant drop in dog bite cases” since a ban on pit bull dogs was implemented five years ago in Ontario, Canada.

In 2005 the provincial government passed Breed Specific Legislation that required pit bull dogs and Staffordshire terriers to be muzzled in public. The law also resulted in death of “countless” dogs that were euthanized in animal shelters.

Michael Bryant, attorney general at the time, touted the ordinance would, “make our streets safer.”

Now five years later the Toronto Humane Society (THS) wanted to see if those words had translated into fewer dog bites. They conducted a survey with all of the municipalities affected by the law and found no slowing of dog bites to people.

“This survey shows that the pit bull ban has not resulted in a reduction in the number of dog bites in Ontario,” said the THS.

The organization is now calling for the government to amend its Breed Specific Legislation and “stop the punishment of innocent animals.”

The statistics revealed a nearly 10 percent drop in dog bites from 2004 to 2005, to just over 5,000. Then there was a slight drop again in 2006. But the years following showed an increase back to the original number of dog bites documented when the law began in 2005.

Ian McConachie of THS said in an interview with the Toronto Sun, “Dogs are not born violent. Instead, they are made that way by irresponsible owners who train them to be that way or neglect them and they develop behavioral problems.”

“If we want to reduce the number of dog bites we have to address the route causes of the problem, those irresponsible owners who do not appropriately care for their animals,” he continued.

Currently Garfield, New Jersey is considering BSL that would require pit bull dogs to be muzzled and their owners charged “excessive fees.” The ban would also endanger the lives of the pit bulls and pit bull mixes that make up 70 percent of the dogs in the town’s animal shelters.

Care2 members are currently fighting to stop the Breed Specific Legislation in Garfield, NJ.

You can help by clicking here to sign their petition.

Creative Commons jennieMarie

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Stacey C.

3:37PM PDT on Oct 31, 2011

i agree not the breed but the owners not being responsible i have owned pit bulls never had problems with them because they are very head strong training has to start right away when you get that cute puppy that's very young they have to learn from very young age that
YOUR TOP DOG IN THE PACK not them you have to look at it from a dogs perspective not persons they see you as BIG DOG pit bulls are not even on the top of the list for dog breeds that most likely to bit people i did some research when i was planning on getting another dog to make sure i was getting the right breed for my life style and family i was surprised to learn that breeds like cocker spaniels , even some retriever breeds that everyone thinks makes such great family dogs are HIGHER on the breed list for dogs that bite than pit bulls i really agree with the saying DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER like for example my grandpa had a mixed breed dog for 15 yrs always gentle loved everyone i grew up being round this dog this dog knew me really well but i reach down one day to pet him the dog attacked me in the face i had 31 internal and external stitches it was that bad they called in plastic surgeon but i felt heart break for years after that because my grandpa took the dog had put to sleep because of it

love 4 all animals
Stacey from California

send a green star

Courtney C.

3:54PM PDT on Jun 1, 2010

Will sign. I am a huge pit bull lover. They are a great loving breed, with the right owners. I do agree that not all people are the right owners for the breed.

Blame the deed not the breed.

Gabriella K.

12:57PM PDT on May 20, 2010

Noted and sign.

Stephanie I.

5:12PM PDT on May 18, 2010

any dog can become aggressive in the wrong hands

Amy R.

11:26AM PDT on May 17, 2010

In the UK it's exactly the same. This misunderstood breed are lovely and always happy to see you. It's almost like dog discrimination! We need to educate the authorities and the owners on having a pitbull. Dangerous dogs usually come from dangerous owners. It is our obligation to make sure that this species which WE domesticated have a happy, safe life.

linda b.

11:22AM PDT on May 8, 2010

PIT BULLS ARE 1 OF THE EASIEST BREEDS TO TRAIN THAT IS WHY THEY ARE USED BY IDIOTIC OWNERS WHO USE THEM FOR THE WRONG REASONS.WE HAVE THEM IN OUR FAMILY AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER ONE OF OUR DOGS,TREAT THEM RIGHT AND YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL FRIEND.

Richard R.

8:22PM PDT on May 7, 2010

My concern with pit bulls, over other breeds, is bite power.Any statstics would help, but to my way of thinking the pit bites with much more force,and does not release,causing devastation
or death.Unfortunatley many people use them as a weapon or threat.I've met some great pits,but if I had to defend against a dog attack I'd prefer it wasn't a pitbull.

Past Member .

1:41AM PDT on May 7, 2010

Noted and sign !

Magdalena M.

8:39PM PDT on May 6, 2010

It is everything about owner, not a dog. Right now people try to make rotties and shepherds very aggressive. Some achieved that with Labradors. Dogs that are called family dogs. They are big, usually black, and angry... You can trust me they look much more scary than a white or golden pit. Dogs are born innocent like kids..... you train them and you get monsters in both cases.

Jennifer C.

4:11PM PDT on May 6, 2010

I disagree with breed specific legislation. It is hard to administer and harder still on the responsible owners who would obey it. The irresponsible owners would go underground or list their daogs as another breed. Muzzling good dogs would reduce their confidence in public, make them fearful and hence more aggressive, causing the actions you are trying to stop.
It is a proven fact that most bites are caused by un-neutered dogs that are tied up most of the time. Some strains within any breed are more aggressive than others.
Just an idea - Pitbull breeders could do a lot for their breed's image if they bred from dogs that had good temperaments to start with and neutered or spayed pups going as pets. German Shepherds were improved by breeding out hip displasia and Germany looked at improving the Doberman by careful study and breeding) Over time this would reduce the dogs that can be crossbred for fighting.
Breeds come into being for specific reasons such as Bulldogs for the horrendous 1700 and 1800 sport of bull baiting. Any owner who understands the nature and characteristics of the breed will have a great and happy relationship with their dogs.

As has bee said any dog will bite given a set of circumstances, we don't always know what will trigger that bite. Hypothetically, if a dog was teased by a brat wearing a certain hat, unknown by the owner, then seeing a similar hat could trigger the bite. It would appear to be unprovoked, when in fact it is not.