When I was born, my parents already had a dog. Like plenty of dog owners, their dog was their baby, they loved her. She was already eight by the time I was born. I loved dogs from the moment I came out of the womb (how could you not?!). And when I was old enough to understand, I was so happy that we had a dog for me to play with and love. However, I grew to realize this dog HATED me. Every time I encountered her, she bit me. And I don’t mean an innocent puppy bite, she BIT me. I can’t help but think that a lot of families would have gotten rid of this dog, but I’m thankful my parents didn’t. She was my very first dog, I loved her regardless of all the times she went after me. But the point here, is that this first dog of mine was a first generation Cockapoo from a breeder, she was a measly ten-pound mix of a toy poodle and a cocker spaniel. As I grew older, I realized her biting was because she was merely growing older and grouchier, but at the time she scared me every once in awhile and I didn’t understand why.
Any dog can attack.
So, the law that went into effect on October 3rd, 2016, banning all pit-bulls and pit-bull type dogs in Montreal, Canada, confuses me to no end.
As someone who works as an animal caretaker at an animal shelter, I’ve encountered my fair share of dogs, not to mention dogs who have been mistreated. I have encountered dogs of all and any breed that had to potential to, or did, attack. And I can say in all honesty, some of the nicest dogs I’ve met there have been pit-bull type dogs.
I can not bear to think that there will be hundreds of innocent, wonderful, dogs potentially euthanized simply because of their appearance and breeding. Dogs that could be faithful pets, service dogs, and family members if given the chance.
The ones that already have homes in Montreal, they’ll have to walk on their leashes muzzled. They’ll be wondering what they did wrong to be so punished, while their owner’s hearts break, knowing their pet wouldn’t hurt anyone.
So, what makes breed discrimination okay? And who thought it could be possible or is at all an intelligent decision to ban a breed of dog that comes in varying sizes, colors and appearance, from an entire city? It will always be the fault of the people who created this thought that pit-bulls are monsters. It will always be the fault of the people who have raised pit-bull type dogs to fight and be violent who caused this stigma. It will never be their fault that people look at them negatively. If given the chance and the love, they are kind, gentle creatures, because they are just like any other breed of dog. And believe it or not, any dog is unpredictable. There is absolutely nothing about pit-bulls or pit-bull type dogs that gives them a higher risk of biting. The only difference between pit-bulls and other breeds, is people treat them differently for irrelevant and false reasoning.