How much easier could I make it for you, District of the municipality of Kings?

The CBC Radio piece aired this morning about the problem that Kings County is having with killing too many cats - and it was so predictable what the Animal Control officer said as to the reason why they are killing so many - they have to.

There are too many cats, they have no place to put them, and no one to work with in placing them - and really, it's the public's fault because they don't spay and neuter.

So boring.

This is 2013, animal control officer. There are so many other solutions out there it's mind boggling - we even have lots of other places in Nova Scotia who are doing fabulous things you should be ASHAMED!!

You have no further to look than Homeward Bound POUND and the Nova Scotia SPCA for ideas - so that you could do your JOB more effectively and save lives.

Have you never read the book Redemption by Nathan Winograd? If you haven't I've got a couple extra copies and I will give you one for free - just as long as you promise that you will read it.

There are so many ways to NOT KILL these days - and the number one way is to make the decision to NOT KILL. It really is as easy as that. Ask any no kill shelter - even open admission shelters that are no kill how they became no kill how they did it - one day when they opened up they decided on that day they stopped killing and they did whatever they had to do to NOT KILL THAT DAY. It's as easy as that - you find solutions.

You take those kittens you had previously killed to the local mall instead of the veterinarian for euthanasia - and get them out in public, you actively recruit foster homes, there's all kinds of stuff you can do to stop the killing accoding to the "No kill equation" - it's not rocket science, you don't have to invent the wheel - it's been done elsewhere, it's worked elsewhere - it's worked in animal control facilities exactly like the municipality of the district of King's - there just has to be the will.

Whether that exists - I have no idea.

But stop blaming the cats, stop blaming the public - stop blaming other animal advocates - those aren't the ones who are doing the killing - it's the animal control department that's doing it - and the killing won't stop until they take blame for it - and then do the work needed to fix it - and stop the killing

Something is happening in King's County

A friend of mine did a freedom information request for the municipality of King's asking for their impound and euthanization statistics for dogs and cats - and  what he got back was very disturbing - since July 2011 they have killed 347 cats until August of 2013 - its even more stunning when you compare it to 3 other areas that we also have statistics for - the Nova Scotia SPCA's statistics from around Nova Scotia for the same time, Annapolis Royal, and the HRM's statistics for dogs.

We only have  King's County's statistics to go by - what they gave us - but it appears that they only adopted out 54 cats in that time period - so they killed many many more cats than what they adopted out.

They killed friendly cats, feral cats, pregnant cats, friendly kittens, healthy kittens - every cat that was euthanized had a description next to it on the statistics we were given - so there were a lot of sick cats that did need to be euthanized - not every animal can be saved and we appreciate that - but the numbers are startling.

347 cats were killed between the dates of July 2011 to August 2013 at a cost of $14,367.44 - from the comments section on the veterinary bills we learned that at least 83 of them or 24% were feral cats.

92 cats were described as being friendly - 26%

9 cats were pregnant - and 25 of them were described as suffering - so only 7% were killed for medical reasons or because they were suffering.

99 that were killed were kittens - some of those were described as being feral as well - but kittens represented 28.5% of the total amount of cats killed.

In the same period Annapolis Royal killed 78 cats - how could an area so geographically close have such lower numbers? 

The representative from Annapolis Royal said what they do with cats is "that cats are taken by Companion Animal Protection Society as long as they have room or if feral they are taken in by Team TNR" - so they are obviously working with their local rescues groups which is what is needed to get to their numbers.

The HRM's Homeward bound in 2011 killed 51 dogs in 2011 and 47 dogs in 2012 for a total of 98 dogs in the same 2 years - they aren't supposed to do cats so I didn't ask for their stats on cats.

But the real surprising numbers come when you compare King's County to the NS SPCA's numbers on cats.

They are even worse than the Cape Breton SPCA! And for those people familiar with the Cape Breton SPCA - that's saying something!

For 2011 we don't have numbers, but in 2012 the CB SPCA only killed 83 cats! Multiply that by 2 and you still only get 164!

The King's County SPCA only killed 58 cats - and they intook 690 cats - so that's a pretty good intake for an SPCA in the same county who's pound killed 347 cats.

The Antigonish SPCA killed 11 cats.

Even the largest shelter in Nova Scotia - the provincial shelter in Dartmouth - in the same 2 year period - only killed 198 cats.

So there is an obvious problem in the municipality of Kings.  What can we do about it?  I have no idea - obviously convenience killing is going on - feral cats are being killed - there is no liaising with rescues, when a cat is picked up - it is killed the same day it is impounded - this is what the statistics are saying.

If you live in King's County and you think cats are being taken care of - you are sorely mistaken - you are not - you need to contact your municipal officials and demand something be done - because your stray and abandoned cats deserve better than what's happening today - which is an immediate death when they have any interaction with municipal officials - no chance whatsoever at adoption or a forever home.

You should be angry - I don't even live  there and I am angry.

We have done Freedom of information requests for every municipality in Nova Scotia to compare and see if there's any other areas that are as bad as King's - when they come in we will let you know.

I've become obsessed with those pic stitch programs

As you can see below - I've become obsessed with those pic stitch programs - here's a couple of the collages I've made -

This is a collage of photos of Buttercup from over the years - isn't she unbelievably awesome?

I took this one at a blessing of the animals a couple weeks ago up in the north end of Halifax - doesn't Buttercup look impressed?

Here is Taffy at Long Lake - she is really a lovely outdoors dog and this has been her favourite place to be - bar none.

This is Buttercup and Bubby - Bubby is sick with kennel cough and Buttercup is having sympathetic sickness feelings with him

This is Tina - who used to be Neena - and Taffy - the night before Taffy went to her new foster home

This is Taffy at her new foster home - shangri-la for her - the pictures coming back from there are just unbelievably awesome

Pictures from a walk at Long Lake with Tina

Breed Specific Legislation is alive and well in Nova Scotia

If you thought that bsl was not in Nova Scotia - you were wrong.

I had thought it only existed in 3 places - the district of the municipality of Guysborough - the home of the inimitable Lloyd Hines - the County of Antigonish, and the county of Richmond - but we found out on Facebook today that the town of Digby also has bsl - and it`s enforced whenever they feel like enforcing it.

(As a side note - I never got to read what the town of Yarmouth finally worked out when they redid their dog bylaw - so it may or may not have bsl in it - I don't know - and I haven't been able to bring it up on my computer all night tonight for some reason)

Here is what the current mayor of Digby - Mayor Ben Cleveland - said on his Facebook page about the subject:

"Thanks for your comments... most recognize that the owners of pets are the problem, and those people need to be educated on proper care in order to become responsible owners .. until then, the Residents of the Town put forward this by-law. It is unfortunate that there was incident recently in Digby that lead to a child requiring hospital care after being bitten by one of the breeds mentioned so it will remain to be seen whether they will like to have the by-law appealed."

So as you can see - bsl is going nowhere in the town of Digby.

So Nova Scotia is not a bsl free province - and we have some work to do when it comes to educating the people we have in power - or removing those people who are in power. One or the other.

One thing I do have to say about Digby though is that when I was researching for this blog post I found a link to some minutes where a decision was made to give $1,000 so that funding could be provided to have cats "spaded/neutered" - their spelling, not mine - so they do care about animal welfare in Digby obviously when it is negatively impacting them - they just need to be directed in a more enlightened way that's safer for humans and for dogs - because as we all know bsl is definitely not the way to go.

ps - this all started because a facebook friend of mine was doing due diligence - she was planning on moving to Digby with her family - and she owns dobermans - so she was looking up the dog bylaw in Digby to make sure it was okay to move there and was shocked by what she found.

Some people who lived there didn't even know that the bsl existed in the bylaw - other people said that it wasn't enforced - and I told her that if it was on the books - then she could not take a chance - some asshole could come into power and her dogs would be dead - and sure enough when she posted on the Mayor's facebook page - he confirmed that the bylaw is in fact enforced - so this is a perfect case of doing your research - because if she'd moved there and THEN found out about the bsl - and a problem happened - what could she have done then? She'd have been screwed.

And this is in Nova Scotia TODAY! HERE in NOVA SCOTIA. Today. With doberman pinschers. Not even the illustrious pit bulls. In Digby - all these dogs are considered fierce and dangerous - Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff, Doberman, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier dog(or a hybrid Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff, Doberman, Staffordshire bull terrier or Pit-bull terrier).

Another interesting note is that this applies only in the town of Digby - the municipality of the District of Digby has no bsl - so if you don't bring your dog into town - you are SAFE.

Here is a link to the town of Digby's bylaw

Does anyone want to take over my Charlie loves Halifax Site?

Charlie loves Halifax has been the only dog website that has talked about dog friendly Halifax since 2002 and has never really lived up to it's potential - simply because I've never taken the time needed to put into it - it could be so much more.

And now that I'm thinking about moving outside the city - I am wondering if there is someone out there who would like to take over for me and bring the website to where it could be - and bring dog friendly Halifax to another level.

There is so much that could be done to the site - the businesses that are on the site have said that they are willing to pay for being posted there - so it could be a money making venture - and it has always been a dream of mine to either turn the site into a book "Charlie's guide to dog friendly Halifax" - there are a ton of guides across North America to dog friendly cities - and there's enough content on the site to fill a book - or a dog friendly map of the city - which would be really neat - and you could sell the map and make money that way.

The possibilities are endless.

Along with selling you the domain names charlieloveshalifax.ca and charlieloveshalifax.com I would also give you the following domain names (I'm a bit of a domain name whore)
dogfriendlyhalifax.ca
doggyhalifax.ca
halifaxdogs.ca
offleashhalifax.ca

So that's my pitch - if you are looking for something to consume you and a reason to go to all the local doggy events and have a ton of fun with your dog - you have just found it!  You can email me at dogkisser @ gmail.com - thanks!!!

The dog owners of Nova Scotia are watching, Stephen McNeil

(This is Neena - a rottweiller that is banned in several areas of Nova Scotia currently)

So a landslide happened last night for the liberals here in Nova Scotia - obviously the people here wanted something different and new to happen in the next four years in the political landscape and the people of Nova Scotia decided that the Liberal party was the group that they wanted to make that happen.

The dog owners of Nova Scotia want the Liberal Party to know though that we are tired of the status quo - and we also want to let them know that we will not let them do what the Liberal Party did to Ontario - bring bsl to the entire province.

We know that they have put out a statement saying they won't do that - but in previous statements they've said that they believe municipal governments should be able to write their own legislation - and in Nova Scotia - that's where most bsl lives - in municipalities bylaws.

The Municipal Government Act contains bsl - and all it takes to enact bsl is to write it into your town's dog bylaw - and BOOM - your dog is DEAD.  Right here in Nova Scotia.

And currently - the Liberal government is okay with that - because they think it's okay for municipalities to write their own legislation.

It's my personal assertion that bsl needs to be REMOVED from the Municipal Government Act - but for some reason no one seems to agree with me.  Go figure.

As well - just agreeing that they won't bring in bsl isn't good enough for this new administration when it comes to animal welfare - in the next four years - the issue of tethering dogs - funding animal cruelty properly - NEEDS to be addressed.

So Mr. McNeil - the dog owners are watching what the Liberal government is doing - and we are watching what a certain MLA from Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie is doing VERY VERY closely. You can bet on that.

And we look forward to working with your government, and creating win-win situations wherever we can.

I have made a TON of updates to my Charlie loves Halifax website

If you are a fan of my Charlie loves Halifax site - I have made a ton of updates - if you haven't been there lately - you should go check it out!

http://charlieloveshalifax.ca/ 

(this picture is Neena at Seaview park today - she's available for adoption by the way - see more at http://facebook.com/nochainsalllove )

Don't vote for Lloyd Hines on Tuesday, and why

I wish I would have been smart enough to have been the one who thought up the title for this blog post - but alas - it was suggested to me. I'm not the only one who wants Mr. Hines to not be elected this week don't you know.

We thought we'd give this one last push. As of the moment I'm writing this post 676 people have signed a Change.org petition that tried to get Lloyd off the ticket for the provincial election - the people lost that push - but hopefully the people will have their say on Tuesday and not elect him to the Nova Scotia Provincial Legislature.

And here is why.

If he has as little respect for a species of animals called dog as he does for humans - we are in trouble. He wants to exterminate several breeds off the face of this earth - and he wants to not just have them removed from the very small sphere of earth that he was in charge of - the municipality of the district of Guysborough - he wanted to have them banned from the whole of Nova Scotia - which he almost did in 2008.

In 2004 in a CTV article he actually said -

"I don't want to be the warden of the Municipality of Guysborough and have to go to the funeral of some kid who was eaten."

If he's willing to talk with such catastrophic language about our companion animals when there has never been any child "eaten", killed or mauled in the province of Nova Scotia - ever, ever, ever - how effective is he going to be as a provincial legislator?

Is he going to be like Henny Penny all the time? Spending all his time with his little feet running around going "the sky is falling, the sky is falling"? When really we're just having a little rain shower - being ineffective and meaningless. That is not the legislator I want in my legislature, that's for sure.

And I certainly don't want anyone in my legislature who wants to ban and exterminate the companions that I have chosen to spend my life with - dogs - and that's what he wants to do.

He discriminates against dogs. What else will he discrimate against.

Lloyd Hines. Don't vote for him on Tuesday.

Here is some more information -

In 1995 Lloyd Hines lobbied for and passed breed specific legislation in the district of the municipality of Guysborough – banning pit bulls, with no grandfather clause built in.

Because the media paid virtually no attention to this issue, most residents of Guysborough were unaware of the new law in 1995 . Apparently without public support or, to the contrary, outrage, the municipality amended the by-law in 2004 to ban Rottweilers (the amendment contained a grandfather section to exempt Rottweilers already living in the Municipality). The ban on Rottweilers was passed after the New Brunswick attack that led to the death of a four year old child. Warden Lloyd Hines was active in pushing for these bills, and he threatened to push a breed specific ban through the Union of Municipalities – which he almost successfully did in 2008 – but because people in other areas of Nova Scotia know what happens when breed bans become law – Lloyd Hines failed in his bid to pass breed restrictions throughout the whole province.

Lloyd Hines is currently running as a Liberal Candidate in the provincial election in the riding of Guysborough Sheet Harbour in the October 2013 Election.

When Lloyd Hines was Warden of the District of the Municipality of Guysborough he made it a priority in his mandate to first ban pit bull dogs, and then add rottweillers to that ban.

When Lloyd Hines was first Vice President, and then President of the Union of the Nova Scotia Municipalities he made it a priority of his mandate to have breed restrictions passed throughout the whole province of Nova Scotia.

If he is elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia – what do you think one of his major priorities will be when he gets there?

Ideal Pet Show Today in Halifax

I went to the Ideal Pet Show today in Halifax and it was pretty good - there were a lot more exhibitors there than I thought there would be considering that it cost $1,000 to get a table plus you had to bring your own table and pay for wi-fi, plus plus plus and there were no deals for rescue organizations - in my experience if it cost $50 for a table at an event that has been a huge deal - so $1,000 is just out of the reach of any group that I know of - but I guess a lot of people figured that the people coming to the Ideal Home Show was worth the foot traffic of the table cost.

Wendy from Dogs of Pride was there - I love her and her products - she goes to all the dog shows and dog functions - she's such a hard worker! If you need something she'll get it for you - and she's also a master groomer with super high principles - so don't dare talk about shaving down your golden retriever on facebook or she will come after you! Today I bought some ear cleaner, doggie nail polish and a new freedom harness for Neena because she ate the freedom harness that I had already bought for her from Jollytails.

Homeward Bound Pound was there - which put me in two minds - so our tax dollars was paying for their table cost - I don't know what to think about that - on the one hand they were there so that they could adopt out dogs - they could also have been using our tax dollars to lobby the public to get the upcoming new contract for animal control sheltering too though, which to me is not a good use of my tax dollars - they are a private corporation that is paid for by our tax dollars, so it irks me that our tax dollars are going to pay for a table at this function. I don't know why it did, but it did. I know I will get flak for this paragraph, but I had to say it. I am such a negative nelly.

Jollytails and Tristan Flynn was also there - right at the front entrance - so I'm sure Tristan got to talk to tons to people about his positive training and huge doggy day care here in peninsular Halifax - he's also teaching a lot of seminars now, and will also teach them made to order - so if you have a group of people you want to get together - he will make you a lot smarter.

Pierre's Alley Cat Society was also at the front entrance - and Pierre made sure he got in the photo! He has been saving kitties for a long time now - and he is the best friend to feral cats - he was selling calendars, as he always is - his dream is to open a sanctuary - so you should give him some money so he can do that!

Spay Day Halifax's Linda Felix and her husband Gordon were selling Tuxedo Stan - who ran for Mayor of Halifax last year - and Earl - who's running in the provincial election currently - I own everything that I possibly can of their product even though I don't have a cat - Buttercup is my proxy cat because she's very cat like in her attitude.

Linda is changing the world in Halifax - she is amazing.

Another little group changing the world is Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network - sorry for the horrible picture but it's the only one I took - I've talked about them before - the idea of turning a stray dog into a lost dog is paradigm shifting in the rescue community - taking a dog from putting him in a shelter to putting him back home where he belongs - and these 2 ladies are doing that - and doing it in Nova Scotia - no one knows really that this is what this is happening - but THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Elderdog Canada is growing the compassion in Nova Scotia to an unbelievable amount - I have met the lady who runs the organization - and their mission is so amazing you would not believe it - you must go to their website - and once you read what they are about - you will want to support them.

St John Ambulance Therapy Dogs not only has the cutest dogs around - they have the most helpful dogs - they go to places and provide therapy and help people, just like their name says - can we all just say aww. Awww.

And of course this is Driftwood - the puppy born with no back legs - I think he's having his surgery very soon if he hasn't already have it so he can be fit with prosthetic back legs and walk and run just like he's meant to - isn't he just the cutest?

K9 Orthotics and Prosthetics are going to give him his legs - they are a world-wide company based right here in Nova Scotia

On to some homies - Nicolle at the Chewed Slipper - doing what she loves, right?

And Jennifer at Down Home Dog Grooming on Cunard Street - keeping ever vigilant and staying beautiful - and keeping our dogs beautiful at the same time!

Back in 2005 the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities were given a bunch of recommendations - and they threw it all away

The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities "is a not-for-profit organization mandated to represent the Provincial interests of municipal governments across Nova Scotia. Total membership is 411 elected officials representing all 54 municipalities. Municipal interests are represented through three caucuses - a Regional Caucus, Rural Caucus and Towns Caucus. The Board of Directors is comprised of twelve elected officials and one appointed non-voting member from the Association of Municipal Administrators."

They take care of the Municipal Government Act and oversee all the different bylaws across Nova Scotia. Every year someone takes a turn as president - and the notorious Lloyd Hines has been president a couple years - this year Russell Walker from Halifax is president.

In 2008 - a year when Lloyd Hines was president they had made it a priority to make dog owners more responsible for the actions of their dogs.

In 2005 - they had commissioned Westville's Police Chief Don Hussher to make recommendations in relations to Nova Scotia's dog bylaws - and he made 14 of them. Unfortunately they rejected them. For what reason nobody knows - but the recommendations are interesting.

Can you imagine if they would've accepted them? What kind of a province would we be living in today? It's almost 10 years later. We'd be living in a very different province, that's for sure.

Instead - the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities attempted to pass province wide breed specific legislation - banning certain types of breeds based solely on how they looked - luckily for all of us - they failed miserably.

Here are the recommendations Chief Hussher suggested:

In the report, Hussher offered 14 recommendations based on input from animal behaviour specialists. They include:
1. Partnership with other municipalities to ensure consistent laws.
2. Municipalities must have an accurate database of all dogs within their boundaries and any bylaw infractions link to the owner.
3. All fines for violations increased drastically to create a deterrent and increase with each repetition of the offence.
4. Laws and licences should include breeder categories with restrictions to encourage proper breeding practices.
5. Dogs that show aggression must be considered vicious and more restrictions will be required for ownership.
6. Dogs tied unattended should not be permitted for long periods – if it’s not kept in the house, a proper defined enclosure must be required.
7. Training dogs for attack or protection isn’t permitted except for police or security companies.
8. Restrictions on the owners to ensure they properly feed, shelter, train and socialize their dogs to prevent aggressiveness.
9. All dog bites will be investigated and charges laid if warranted. If the attack was unprovoked and the dog can’t be ordered destroyed, it will be declared vicious.
10. If the owner isn’t a breeder and the dog isn’t a show dog, spaying/neutering will be mandatory or increase the licensing fee drastically.
11. Dogs will be required to be micro-chipped by vets so owners of roaming animals can be identified.
12. Beware of dog signs will not be permitted – if the owner has a concern about the dog’s aggression it will be considered vicious.
13. SPCA needs more responsibility and authority to do their job.
14. A committee should be formed to look at these regulations and revamp current bylaws.

Questionnaire to the Political Parties in 2009

This questionnaire was sent out in 2009 - the last time we went to the polls - but I'm sure the answers would still be the same if we sent out the same questions today - I found this in my emails tonight, so I thought I'd post it here for whatever it's worth - there's not really time at this point to send another questionnaire out to the parties at this point - so here's some food for thought - (isn't it interesting though that every question we asked in 2009 we still have exactly the same problems in 2013?  TNR, funding for the SPCA, anti-cruelty laws, municipal bsl laws, etc. - and Lloyd Hines running for office!)



ARPO – Advocates for Responsible Pet Ownership is an organization that is working towards creating a companion animal friendly Nova Scotia where pet owners and non-pet owners can live together harmoniously. We educate the public about responsible pet ownership and advocate for strengthened anti-cruelty laws. We supply educational materials at pet events on responsible pet ownership. We support the efforts of provincially funded shelters as well as independent rescue organizations.

We respectfully request that you answer the following questions so that ARPO members can make an informed voting decision in the upcoming election.

1. Will your party strengthen the anti–cruelty laws of Nova Scotia by working with the Judicial Department to increase fines and sentences for those persons that are found guilty of animal cruelty and/or neglect?

Liberals said: they fought hard to strengthen the Animal Protection Act in 2008 – citing that Diana Whalen proposed changes including strengthening the definition of distress, outlining a standard of care and the ability to impose harsher fines.

PC’s – it is amazing the torture some people will put an animal through. Just last year the PC Gov’t introduced and passed a modernized Animal Protection Act. It is set to be proclaimed in the coming months. A number of changes and improvements have been made to the act to ensure the welfare of animals in the province. This updated law was in response to an incidence where dozens of dogs and cats were found living in squalor in CB.

NDP – YES

The Green Party supports the anti-cruelty laws currently in place, but believes they are insufficiently enforced. The Green Party will work with the department of Justice to ensure that those found guilty of cruelty and/or neglect to animals are properly punished and that fines and sentences reflect the seriousness of these cruelties .

2. Will your party work with the NS SPCA to build legislation that protects the quality of life of all companion animals in Nova Scotia - including those that are used for breeding and livestock purposes?

Liberal Party are open to meeting with the SPCA to further see how they may be able to improve existing legislation and support the organization.

PC’s - The new act will allow the SPCA to focus on the protection of non-farm animals. The Act also establishes an Animal Cruelty Appeal Board to hear appeals of animal seizures and investigation issues – an opportunity for individuals to have seizure of an animal reviewed by an independent board in a timely manner.

The NDP supported the passage of the Animal Protection Act in Nov. 2008. Once there is sufficient experiences with the Act and its regulations it will be possible for stakeholders to determine if further legislation is necessary to adequately protect companion animals.

Yes, The Green Party supports The Earth Charter which states in clause 15. “Treat all living beings with respect and consideration” and 15.a. “Prevent cruelty to animals kept in human societies and protect them from suffering." The Green Party believes it is necessary for government to develop a cooperative role with a broad range of non-governmental organizations and would work with the SPCA and other interested NGOs in order to ensure the quality of life of all animals kept in human society, including those for breeding and  livestock purposes.

3. Will your party push to have all municipalites enacting humane animal laws and require that BSL be rescinded in those municipalites that have enacted such legislation? ((breed specific legislation enacts punitive laws based on breed of dog rather then the actions of negligent owner’s regardless of breed or mix)

Liberals feel that the rights of municipalities to make and enforce their own bylaws should be respected and do not see a role for the provincial gov’t to lobby for changes at the municipal level. The Liberal Party believes that it can be most effective protecting animals and safe guarding the rights of animal owners by introducing changes within its jurisdiction. An example of this was the change to the Animal Protection Act our party put forward. ARPO further asked the Liberal party to elaborate as it is not clear what the Liberal policy is concerning BSL (breed specific legislation that applies punitive laws on breeds of dogs instead on irresponsible dog owners regardless of breed of dog or Mix.) - is the Liberal Party policy to advocate for BSL or is the party stance that BSL is not good legislation? The Liberal response was:

Thanks for following up regarding the Liberal responses to your survey. At the provincial level, we would not introduce legislation that would ban specific breeds of dogs but do recognize the municipality's right to introduce their own bylaws with respect to animal control/local issues. I hope this helps to clarify our position and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.


Please scroll down to read all about Lloyd Hines and why you should be concerned that the Liberal Party has selected Hines to represent their party.

PC’s – The NS SPCA opposes the establishment of municipal by-laws that declare recognized breeds of dogs vicious or dangerous. As I said in a questionnaire responded to during the 2006 election I’m not entirely convinced that by banning certain breeds would prevent dog attacks from happening. Other breeds can demonstrate aggression towards people depending on the circumstances, how the dog was raised and treated itself. I think I’d be more supportive of legislation that addresses the causes of aggression rather than targeting the banning of specific breeds.

NDP- will work with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities to develop humane by-laws. The NDP does not support breed- specific legislation.

The Green Party is opposed to breed specific legislation and will work with municipalities to better define humane animal laws, including laws holding owners and breeders liable for any negligence on their part in cases of animal violence.

4. Will your party increase funding to the NS SPCA to facilitate the hiring and training of more cruelty investigators to adequately address the need? (currently other provinces are increasing funding ex. N.B. & Que.)

There are many not for profit organizations …the Liberals would strive to meet the needs of these organizations while recognizing that the gov’t must live within its means. To our knowledge there has been no formal request made to increase funding to the SPCA. Our party would be open to meeting with the SPCA and discussing its needs.

PC’s- announced $100,000.00 in funding to the SPCA. The funding is set in our budget to support the SPCA’s work implementing the new Animal Protection Act.

The NDP has called for adequate funding to address the problem of cruelty to animals…An NDP Gov’t will endeavor to increase funding to the NS SPCA during the term of its mandate, but with the context of balancing the budget.

The Green Party depends upon broad consultation with all interested NGOs, and a Green government would explore all avenues toward improving the enforcement of anti-cruelty laws, including the hiring and training of investigators.

5. Will your party support a province wide TNR (trap-neuter-release) program for feral cats?

Animal control issues fall under municipal jurisdiction and a Liberal gov’t would support local efforts to address this issue. Our party is concerned with the thousands of unwanted cats born each year and realizes the burden they place on the SPCA’s space and resources.

PC’s – Feral cats have always been an issue but it has been highlighted recently in the media – the efforts of some individuals have taken upon themselves to treat humanely these colonies in an effort to allow them to live freely but to help control the nuisance factor they may cause which often gives these animals negative attention …we also need more education for people to understand pets are not a throw away object, they are a part of your family and must be treated that way.

NDP – YES.

The Green Party recognizes the benefits of this program and would negotiate with municipalities about such a province wide program.

Please feel free to elaborate. ARPO looks forward to your response and all responses will be circulated province wide to like minded organizations with a media release.

Sincerely,
Janet Chernin
Director at Large,
ARPO – Advocates for Responsible Pet Ownership
www.arpolistens.ca

Lloyd Hines and the Provincial Election in June 2009 –
and what Responsible Dog owners need to know about him

In 1995 Lloyd Hines lobbied for and passed breed specific legislation in the district of the municipality of Guysborough – banning pit bulls, with no grandfather clause built in.

Because the media paid virtually no attention to this issue, most residents of Guysborough were unaware of the new law in 1995 . Apparently without public support or, to the contrary, outrage, the municipality amended the by-law in 2004 to ban Rottweilers (the amendment contained a grandfather section to exempt Rottweilers already living in the Municipality). The ban on Rottweilers was passed after the New Brunswick attack that led to the death of the four year old child. Warden Lloyd Hines was active in pushing for these bills, and he threatened to push a breed specific ban through the Union of Municipalities – which he almost successfully did in 2008 – but because people in other areas of Nova Scotia know what happens when breed bans become law – Lloyd Hines failed in his bid to pass breed restrictions throughout the whole province.

Lloyd Hines is currently running as a Liberal Candidate in the provincial election in the riding of Guysborough Sheet Harbour in the June 2009 Election.

When Lloyd Hines was Warden of the District of the Municipality of Guysborough he made it a priority in his mandate to first ban pit bull dogs, and then add rottweilers to that ban.

When Lloyd Hines was first Vice President, and then President of the Union of the Nova Scotia Municipalities he made it a priority of his mandate to have breed restrictions passed throughout the whole province of Nova Scotia.

If he is elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia – what do you think one of his major priorities will be when he gets there?

This is a quote that Lloyd Hines said in 2004 when he was attempting to have rottweilers banned in his municipality –
"I don't want to be the warden of the Municipality of Guysborough and have to go to the funeral of some kid who was eaten."


When Guysborough dog owners go to the polls in June – hopefully they will go to the voting booths with the knowledge that they are voting not just for themselves – they are voting for every dog owner in Nova Scotia.


And there's also the great "Panic Policy Making" document - where Lloyd Hines is talked about personally - which is at http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/faculty/BRISBIN/Papers/2007.%20Panic%20Policy%20Making.pdf]
- where they figure that the only reason he has been doing all his breed banning foolishness is because of his own personal fear of large dogs.

Take a moment to effect some positive political change in Nova Scotia, won't you?

Someone here in Nova Scotia has started a couple petitions on Change.org - the first one is about the wonderful Lloyd Hines - the petition reads in part -

Nova Scotia Liberal Party: 

Remove Candidate Lloyd P. Hines from the electoral ballot

Lloyd Hines has successfully and continuously lobbied for BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) throughout his entire political career. There is fear if Lloyd Hines is elected as an MLA, a provincial BSL ban could be on his bucket list.

- In 1995 Lloyd Hines lobbied for and passed breed specific legislation in the district of the municipality of Guysborough – banning pit bulls, with no grandfather clause built in.

-In 2004 Hines lobbied and passed a ban on Rottweilers in the municipality of Guysborough.

- Lloyd Hines threatened to push a breed specific ban through the Union of Municipalities – which he almost successfully did in 2008.

- Lloyd Hines continues to dodge questions surrounding his work lobbing for BSL; blocking facebook users / voters, and refusing to return telephone calls.

You can go to the petition to find out more - and also read my previous blog post about the topic - Nova Scotia does NOT need politicians like this coming into power!

You can sign this petition here - https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/nova-scotia-liberal-party-remove-candidate-lloyd-p-hines-from-the-electoral-ballot

The 2nd Change.org petition that would be wonderful for us all to sign regards the 24/7 tethering of dogs here in the province -

Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture: 

Create new legislature making it illegal for dogs to be tethered 24/7 in NS

The information there says -

The constant (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year) tethering of dogs presents many problems that can be medical and psychological in nature. Dogs can be left outside in any and all weather conditions, a wide range of temperatures and are exposed to the elements - all of which can be detrimental to the health and quality of life of the dog. Dogs that are tethered in this manner can easily suffer from hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration, parasitic infestations, and attack by wild animals, among many other things. Many dogs in this situation suffer from neglect and do not meet their daily requirements for exercise or social interaction; as a result some of these dogs can become restless, anxious, easily excitable, and in some cases fearful and aggressive. Current law states that if a dog has access to food, water and a shelter (defined as a structure with three walls and a roof with no required insulation/bedding) that it cannot be seized - in other words, in the eyes of the law these three basic things are all the dog needs. There are no requirements for socialization, veterinary care or enrichment. In today's society, knowing everything we know about canine health and behavior, as well as animal welfare, this is unacceptable. Laws need to be changed such that dogs cannot be tethered 24-7, subject to neglect and a poor quality of life. Dogs don't have a voice - we need to speak for them!

If this does not make you want to change the current laws, let me share with you the story of my dog Quinn, who was rescued from the end of a rope 17 months ago. I adopted Quinn last year from the Atlantic Small Dog Rescue, who had been tied outside by a nylon rope, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 8 years. And the worst part: he was only seized because his owner passed away. Had his owner not died, Quinn may still be tied outside to that nylon rope. When he was rescued he weighed about 30lbs, and at his healthy current weight he is 55lbs - he weighed almost half of what his healthy body weight should have been. Quinn was not neutered until he was rescued, and had a large tumor on one of his testicles that may have killed him had it not been removed. He had been infested with fleas for so long that he developed a flea hypersensitivity, resulting in intense itching, inflammation and hair loss. His skin was raw from the hypersensitivity and from him chewing/scratching at his skin, and to this day (more than 2 years after his being rescued) he is still bald and scarred on the hind end of his body, including his sides/back/legs/tail. His constant chewing as a result of the hypersensitivity also caused large quantities of hair to become embedded in his gums, causing severe gingivitis and tooth damage such that most of his front teeth had to be removed. In total since his rescue he has had 12 teeth removed due to this and previously poor dental care. The hypersensitivity and persistent inflammation of his skin required Quinn to be on prednisolone, a corticosteroid, for nearly 2 years after his rescue, which resulted in the development of steroid-induced hyperadrenocorticism. And that is not the worst of it - Quinn had been tied out on the same nylon rope for so long that it had become imbedded in his neck, and he still has a perfect one-two inch wide ring around his entire neck in which fur does not grow, and probably never will. Aside from the physical abuse and trauma that he suffered as a result of his constant tethering, Quinn was extremely wary of strangers, he was highly anxious, and would not allow people to touch him in most places. Because he had been starved he had developed food aggression. He was fostered for 9 months by the Atlantic Small Dog Rescue, and over that period of time he came to trust a few special people to touch him (although still not in most places) learned to walk on leash, was house trained and was socialized with other dogs (although he still didn't fully understand normal dog behavior, leading us to believe he had been isolated from other dogs from a young age.) In the past 17 months Quinn has become a new dog. With one-on-one attention he came to trust me enough that I can touch him anywhere on his body, including in his mouth and ears. He has gotten over his food aggression and if he has something he is not allowed I can remove it from his mouth without him biting me. He now knows basic obedience, goes off leash at the park, and helps my new puppy who is 100% blind get around. He even loves people. My point: this is an amazing dog, who almost didn't get a chance to be the amazing dog he was meant to be because there are no laws protecting dogs in this unfortunate and unfair circumstance. We need to strengthen our laws so that dogs should never have to suffer in this way. Had it not been for the death of his owner, Quinn may have died on the end of that rope, and that is not something that I will stand for. I urge you to help make the changes required to protect dogs throughout Nova Scotia from what Quinn and so many other dogs have had to endure.

You can go sign this petition at https://www.change.org/petitions/nova-scotia-department-of-agriculture-create-new-legislature-making-it-illegal-for-dogs-to-be-tethered-24-7-in-ns

Some information about Lloyd Hines, candidate for the Liberal Party in Nova Scotia

In 1995 Lloyd Hines lobbied for and passed breed specific legislation in the district of the municipality of Guysborough – banning pit bulls, with no grandfather clause built in.

Because the media paid virtually no attention to this issue, most residents of Guysborough were unaware of the new law in 1995 . Apparently without public support or, to the contrary, outrage, the municipality amended the by-law in 2004 to ban Rottweilers (the amendment contained a grandfather section to exempt Rottweilers already living in the Municipality). The ban on Rottweilers was passed after the New Brunswick attack that led to the death of a four year old child. Warden Lloyd Hines was active in pushing for these bills, and he threatened to push a breed specific ban through the Union of Municipalities – which he almost successfully did in 2008 – but because people in other areas of Nova Scotia know what happens when breed bans become law – Lloyd Hines failed in his bid to pass breed restrictions throughout the whole province.

Lloyd Hines is currently running as a Liberal Candidate in the provincial election in the riding of Guysborough Sheet Harbour in the October 2013 Election.

When Lloyd Hines was Warden of the District of the Municipality of Guysborough he made it a priority in his mandate to first ban pit bull dogs, and then add rottweillers to that ban.

When Lloyd Hines was first Vice President, and then President of the Union of the Nova Scotia Municipalities he made it a priority of his mandate to have breed restrictions passed throughout the whole province of Nova Scotia.

If he is elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia – what do you think one of his major priorities will be when he gets there?

This is a quote that Lloyd Hines said in 2004 when he was attempting to have rottweillers banned in his municipality –

"I don't want to be the warden of the Municipality of Guysborough and have to go to the funeral of some kid who was eaten."

Dog owners in Nova Scotia need to be aware of what the Liberal Party in Nova Scotia is putting forward as one of their candidates in this election.

When Guysborough dog owners go to the polls in October – hopefully they will go to the voting booths with the knowledge that they are voting not just for themselves – they are voting for every dog owner in Nova Scotia.

Here is Mr. Hines' Facebook page

and here is Mr. Hines' twitter]] page

If you want to read more about Lloyd Hines on this blog - click here

Why I wrote what I wrote in my submission to the Dept of Agriculture

It seems not too many people are liking what I wrote in my submission to the department of Agriculture regarding regulations for the Animal Cruelty Act.

It would seem that most people would have assumed that I would have just blatantly come out and said - ban the permanent tethering of dogs in Nova Scotia. Period. 

But life just isn't that easy, is it?  If we did that - what would happen to all the dogs who had been permanently chained the day after the ban came into effect? Is it better for them to die than it is for them to live? I don't know and I don't want to be responsible for that - and I really don't think Nova Scotia is ready for a ban on Tethering - we are way too rural for that. 

What I would much rather see is the people who go and visit the tethered dogs who have the power to remove the neglected ones actually have the power to remove them - and currently for some reason they don't feel like they do - so that's what I was trying to talk about in my submission. 

I was also not interested in talking about how to chain a dog more successfully - so I did not talk about things like what the gauge of the chain should be, what the minimum length of the chain should be, or talked about the dog house. 

Te only things I talked about were signs of neglect that would warrant removal of the dog -  that is what I wanted the regulations to focus on - not ways to make the dog more comfortable - but for ways to be able to remove the dog. 

They were looking for definitions of distress - and that's what I tried to provide. 

And then at the end I said what was needed was supervised tethering - just because I don't think a ban on permanent tethering is the answer does not mean I am a proponent of it. Anyone who would think that is either misreading what I wrote or reading something into what I wrote for their own agenda. 

I hope the government takes the welfare of our companion animals seriously - even the ones that aren't cared about by their owners. Especially when the rhetoric around this issue can get so ridiculous it can border on the sublime. 

My submission to the Dept of Agriculture re the Animal Protection Act

So I finally finished my submission to the Department of Agriculture about regulations around the Animal Protection Act - I stuck to the topics of tethering, breed specific legislation and puppy mills.  If I did anything else I never would've gotten it done in time.  If you want to look at my original submission you can look at it here - http://nochainsalllove.ca/regulations.pdf

So here is what I said -

Permanent tethering in Nova Scotia is not going to end and shouldn’t be included in any effort to enhance our animal cruelty legislation. It will only turn a lot of dog owners into criminals for no good reason and put animals into jeopardy because dogs who were minimally being cared for previously will now be either murdered or dumped in the woods or on neighbours properties – and the humane community will have a crisis on their hands trying to deal with the influx of previously unknown backyard dogs.

As well – a lot of dogs that were previously permanently tethered outdoors might be just moved indoors and kept in basements or somewhere else segregated from the family because the reason they were dumped outside was because of some behavioural issue that wasn’t dealt with – so just banning permanent tethering isn’t the answer – it’s the culture around it that’s the problem.

The real problem with tethering revolves around the issue of distress –what is distress – and that is something that is quantifiable that can be defined – and if a dog is permanently tethered – he will fall into certain categories so he can be removed from the home.

You would think that the current legislation that exists in Nova Scotia would allow must dogs that are permanently tethered in Nova Scotia to qualify as being distressed under our definition:
Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, 1996, c. 22, s.
1 (NS)
2. (2) An animal is in distress, for the purpose of this Act, where the animal is
a. in need of adequate care, food, water or shelter; or injured, sick, in pain, or suffering undue hardship, privation or neglect. 1996, c. 22, s. 2

Unfortunately that is not the case – only the constables of the NS SPCA know why this is so – the one’s I have spoken to say that the dog has to be in obvious medical distress at the time they are on scene. Just because their coat is completely unkempt, their nails are overgrown, there is no water, there is no food, there is feces everywhere, the dog is panting – none of this is good enough for the animal to be seized – unless the owner offers up the dog.

The NS SPCA say that in 2012 calls about dogs being tethered and in distress were their number 2 call – so this is a topic that the people of Nova Scotia care very much about. When the SPCA put forward that number though – they didn’t say how quickly they responded to them all – they only say that they had 336 calls that were about dogs being tied out. (http://spcans.ca/documents/about/DOA_YE-Report_2012.pdf  ) And it also doesn’t say how many of those ended in seizure of the dog – only that 780 of the total 1632 of their calls for the year were unfounded.

One would think that if the special constables had better guidelines – their unfounded calls statistics would become a lower number.

On the CVMA’s website they have a page that lists out what the provincial legislation is for each province when it comes to distress in every province - http://www.canadianveterinarians.net/programs/reporting-abuse-provincial-legislation.aspx#.UiDlLhuTiSo

Manitoba has perhaps the most succinct wording for the legislation that includes the buzzwords we hear today –

The Animal Care Act, C.C.S.M. 1996, c. 84
6(1) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act, an animal is in distress if it is
a) subjected to conditions that, unless immediately alleviated, will cause the animal death or serious harm;
b) subjected to conditions that cause the animal to suffer acute pain;
c) not provided food and water sufficient to maintain the animal in a state of good health;
d) not provided appropriate medical attention when the animal is wounded or ill;
e) unduly exposed to cold or heat; or
f) subjected to conditions that will, over time, significantly impair the animal’s health or well-being, including
i. confinement in an area of insufficient space
ii. confinement in unsanitary conditions
iii. confinement without adequate ventilation,
iv. not being allowed an opportunity for adequate exercise, and
v. conditions that cause the animal extreme anxiety or distress.

You’ll notice that Manitoba’s legislation includes conditions that allow for being able to remove an animal so that it won’t be subject to future conditions – future distress – and it also includes the word “anxiety” – “conditions that cause the animal extreme anxiety or distress”.

There are some who believe that tethering a dog out at all causes anxiety – separation from family – subjecting the dog to conditions that they have no control over – and that in and of itself is cruelty.

The CVMA states outright that “Tethering of dogs (i.e., chains or ropes used to tie the animal to an immoveable object such as a stake or building) as a primary method of confinement is not acceptable.”

So as for specific regulations that could be written as having to do with tethering of dogs when they have to do with helping constables decide whether or not they are in distress:
• What are the sanitary conditions the dog is living in – is it gravel based or grass based – is it obvious that the dog has paced so much it’s created a rut in his living space;
• What is his body shape in – are his nails long and overgrown, is he emaciated under his fur, are his ears dirty;
• What is his demeanour – can you get close to him? No? Or is he over friendly like he never gets any attention – both states signal that he is permanently tethered;
• Is his water dish something other than a normal water dish you’d use inside for a water dish – ie a several gallon white bucket and the colour of the water is a colour other than normal drinking water?
• When you talk to neighbours does the dog bark a lot at odd hours?

In conclusion – tethering is not the enemy of dogs – it’s the unattended tethering that is deadly – not only to dogs, but to the communities that they live in. That’s when dogs – and the children around them – die.

Tying your dog out while you garden or attend to activities because you don’t have a fenced in yard – or while your dog does his business is not a problem. Abandoning your dog to your backyard because you don’t feel like dealing with him anymore – is a problem – and that’s what legislation should deal with. Those are the dog owners who are being negligent – and putting our communities at risk – and hurting their dogs. I hope your regulation process aids in that process.

I said earlier that tethering dogs out was part of a cultural problem – and that is what it is – a cultural problem – and we can’t change that through legislation – we can only do that through actions and changing people’s minds on how to live with our canine companions – all we can really do is help the dogs out there right now living lives of misery by removing them from where they are who are in distress – and adding regulations to the legislation is a first step.

Another area that can help dogs in Nova Scotia is regulations around the Municipal Government Act.

The scourge of breed specific legislation has to end – so therefore the Municipal Government Act has to be amended – under the dog bylaw – section 175 it says (1) Without limiting the generality of Section 172, a council may make by-laws
(e) defining fierce or dangerous dogs, including defining them by breed, cross-breed, partial breed or type;

That is breed specific legislation and belongs no where in Nova Scotia. We love dogs unconditionally here – and we should be treating dogs as individuals – which they are – and only have legislation that deals with dogs on a case by case basis – ie dangerous dog legislation that places liability square on the shoulder of the dog’s owner.

Studies are showing that breed specific legislation is on the decline – it is completely unnecessary and does not lower the incidence of dog bites – and Nova Scotia is much the poorer for implementing or maintaining it anywhere and only will hurt tourism. (http://animalfarmfoundation.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/bsl-trends/ )

This small line from the Municipal Government Act must be removed – if dogs are going to be protected in this province this is non-negotiable.

Also under the dog bylaw section 175 (4) The owner of a kennel of purebred dogs that are registered
with the Canadian Kennel Club may, in any year, pay a fee set by council, by policy,
as a tax upon the kennel for that year and upon payment of the amount, the owner of
the kennel is exempt from any further fee regarding the dogs for that year.

It should be mandatory for all owners of dogs who own any unspayed or unneutered dogs that number over 2 of each to register their dogs as a kennel with the municipality that they live in and pay a kennel tax and register with said municipality – and be subject to inspection by NS SPCA. Kennels do not require registration with Canadian Kennel Club.

In this section there should also be a provision that no person who has been convicted of animal cruelty should be allowed to breed or sell domestic animals.

There could be a database of breeders developed provincially who can apply to be licenced through the Municipal Government Act through the Province’s website for an associated fee which accompanies a clause that they will be checked annually and/or frequently without any prior notice or warning.

Back yard breeders and puppy mills have been allowed to multiply around Nova Scotia unfettered – there are no regulations around them whatsoever – and I think the Municipal Government Act could stop that with section 175 section 4 – if any owner of any unspayed or unneutered dog had to register with their municipality – we would know very soon where all the back yard breeders and puppy mills were – and I don’t know if we could shut them down – but we could at least make them nervous.

It’s more than what we’re doing right now, anyway!

Joan Sinden
dogkisser@gmail.com

Buttercup is 19 years old today!

Today is Buttercup's 19th Birthday!

Can you believe it? When I tell people she is that old most people say they didn't know a dog could live that old.

It was 10 years ago today that I brought her home from the Dartmouth SPCA and we began our love affair with each other.

I have waxed poetic over her so many times over the years that it is completely pathetic - she knows that she has me completely under her spell and I let her do whatever she wants - sometimes to mine and the publics and other dogs detriment - but I just can't help myself - there is no other dog on this planet like her.

She knows how to speak english, and a lot of times she`s been the only thing that's kept me alive - so I am completely at her whim.

The only thing I could wish for is that she would live for another 10 years.

If it were up to Buttercup - she would.

A few years ago I made a photo album of photos I'd taken of her if you want to check that out - it's at http://joansinden.ca/ Buttercup back in her prime.

Here is a link to other years when I have talked about Buttercup on her birthdays - http://dogkisser.blogspot.ca/2010/08/today-is-buttercups-birthday.html

Vigilantism

This post is in relation to a couple past posts - and also is an obligatory post because of a complaint put in against me to the RCMP by a dog owner about a dog that I wrote about and that was also in the news in the last few weeks.

Vigilantism is bad. Nothing good ever comes of it. Taking the law into your own hands only hurts the animals you're trying to help, and escalates any violence that perhaps might be simmering. It causes fear and paranoia and makes people make bad decisions.

If a person has been chaining their dog for the wrong reasons and they think someone is going to come and steal it - it might cause that person to just kill the dog. And that's not a good thing.

Vigilantism also gives rescue a bad name - I have a rescue called "all love NO CHAINS" - and we will not steal dogs or accept dogs that have been stolen - because there is no way that we can accept that kind of liability, and dogs are property - and it would be accepting stolen property.

Anti-chaining organizations are notorious for building reputations for stealing dogs - and that is not a good thing - there has to be a better way to do things.

We have to effect change by showing a better way - by showing that 24/7 tethering of dogs really is just a bad idea, that companion animals belong inside the home - no matter what breed of dog they are - even if they are a northern breed - and that we don't have to reinvent the wheel - legislation has been passed elsewhere that can work here.

We are not saying that you can't tie your dog out so that he can have a pee, or you can work on your car or do your gardening, or he can chew on a bone for an hour - but unsupervised tethering is unacceptable.

Dogs die when they are unsupervised.

Children die when dogs are unsupervised.

We should not need to go onto people's property to steal dogs in order to save them - vigilantism shouldn't be necessary.

Hopefully the government will listen and will ban the unsupervised tethering of dogs in the coming months with the upcoming election. Or will work it into their regulations.

The best way we can effect change is to let the Minister of Agriculture know what we want in the regulations that will go along with the Animal Cruelty Act - you can find out more about it - here

And oh yeah - vigilantism is bad.

Nova Scotia is failing chained dogs all over the place

A dog died today in Hammonds Plains Nova Scotia. He hanged himself - he was left tethered unattended on a deck and tried to jump off - and the inevitable happened. Supposedly 9 huskies live on this property and the property owner has had negative encounters with the dogs getting loose. This one won't be getting loose anymore, that's for sure.

There are 3 tenets of a responsible dog owner that cannot be repeated often enough - train, CONTAIN, socialize. You cannot leave out one of those three parts.

But that's not what this blog post is about - this blog post is about how dogs are dying every day in Nova Scotia - and no one is noticing, really - because the will isn't there. And the government really does not care.

So I'm going to talk about some of the ways that dogs are dying in this province. People see it happening everyday and they know there's nothing they can do about it, so their own personal hearts die a little bit inside knowing that such suffering exists - and hope that someday someone in power will be able to change things.

The first dog I want to talk about is a dog named Zeus - he was tied out 24 hrs a day 365 days a year because he was a "husky" and his owner said "he wanted to be outside" - which is a load of bullshit. Dogs want to be with their owners.

The big things with Zeus was - he liked to go on walk-abouts. He kept breaking free from his chain and he'd be gone for hours or days - and the last time he got free he must have gotten hit by a car because he came back with a big gash on his head - but his "owner" didn't take him to a vet - he just tied him back to his dog house - to watch him slowly die. It took him 2 weeks. But he did. You can read his story - "life and death of a dog on Mayor Ave"

Daisy came from a native reservation in Cape Breton - her owner had moved away and the person on the property didn't feel like feeding her anymore. She'd had 3 litters in her 3 years and was completely emaciated. She had no protection from roving dogs or negative humans and was finally rescued - her collar was almost embedded, but at least she made it out alive.

In 2010 a dog in Cape Breton froze to death on the end of his chain - and no charges were ever filed - by the NS SPCA, by anyone. They couldn't decide that any cruelty had taken place. Can you believe that? A dog died alone, by himself - frozen to the ground, chained to - a dog house, or something - I don't know what, if he even had any shelter - and the people in charge couldn't decide if there was negligence or cruelty involved. Really.

As well - I don't know if a lot of people know that it's legal in almost all places in Nova Scotia for dog catchers and peace officers to shoot dogs on sight if they think a dog is dangerous or if the dog is running at large - or really, for any reason at all.

In one week in 2009 - In Waycobah Cape Breton, a woman's german shepherd was barking at some men who were ice fishing - so they called 911 and the local dog catcher came who shot him 10 times - killing him.

And then here just outside of Halifax in Ketch Harbour - a dog was shot dead when it was on a walk-about - and the owners are devastated - I guess the dog regularly ran around at large, and one of the problems with our provincial laws is that it's perfectly legal to shoot a dog if you say you saw it chasing wildlife and it's owner was not around and under his voice control. So in this sad story the only human breaking the law was the grieving dog owner.

And last but not least - the Yarmouth SPCA in July 2013 - actually auctions off dog houses to the highest bidder - if that's not in bad taste, I don't know what is.

I'm sure I could have thought up and dredged up more dead dogs out of my files, but there's not too much point.  You get the point.

You might even have a story or two you could add of dead chained dogs - whether it was because he hanged himself, starved to death, froze to death, ran away and was shot, hit by a car, eaten by a coyote, or whatever - there are tons of ways for a chained dog to die.

And those are all the ways we are are failing chained dogs in this province - it's not just because we are leaving them on a chain - there's more than one way to kill a cat.  And a chained dog.

A chained dog is an unsupervised sentient being - they truly cannot control their environment.  If only their owners understood that - and if only the people we are trying to get to write the legislation understood that.

In my opinion - any dog that is tethered is in distress on a continual basis simply because they ARE tethered - if you were shackled to a phone booth in downtown Halifax with no way to escape wouldn't you be in continual distress?

Martin Luther King wrote a very true thing:

It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important, also. So there is a need for executive orders. There is a need for judicial decrees.