On Tuesday, the City of Edmonton Community Services Committee agreed to get rid of the bylaw that placed restrictions on dogs according to their breed – namely, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Terrier.
Both breeds are commonly called Pit Bulls.
A report presented to the committee on Tuesday suggested the current bylaw is not effective – and instead, authorities should concentrate on dog owners, and training.
“There are 10 things that make up personality,” Bilinda Wagner, with the Edmonton Humane Society said Tuesday. “It’s not just an aggressive gene, it’s not just a breed, it’s not just a look of a dog.
“Every dog learns what people teach it, simple as that.”
The current bylaw applies to dogs determined to be a pit bull by a veterinarian, and any dog that has been convicted of chasing, attacking or biting any person or animal causing injury, or has done so on more than one occasion, or has been the subject of an order under the Alberta Dangerous Dogs Act.
Owners of restricted dogs must also pay $250 for a pet license, have a minimum $1 million in liability insurance and follow other strict regulations - they can face fines ranging from $500 to $2500 for not following those rules.
The changes to the bylaw still need to go before City Council for approval.
