HugABull Blog

A big thank you to all the people who joined us at our Beyond the Myth events in Vancouver on October 20 and 28. Both events were sold-out successes that drove some fascinating discussions.

If you’d like your own copy of the DVD, they are now available for purchase through HugABull. Email info@hugabull.com if you would like to arrange an in-person pick-up in Victoria, Vancouver, or Kelowna. Or use the PayPal link below to have one mailed:

Our panel discussions were filmed and will be available to view in the coming weeks!

Don’t forget that our third Beyond the Myth Screening and Panel Discussion is coming to Victoria on November 18 at The Vic theatre. Use the PayPal link on our BTM page to buy tickets!

While British Columbia continues to reel from negative media attention and talks of breed specific legislation (BSL), two major victories against BSL in Canada have been won recently.

Edmonton, Alberta municipal bylaws have included restrictions on certain breeds since 1987. Specifically, the Animal Control Bylaw placed restrictions and conditions on ownership of American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and crossbreeds. Owners of these breeds had to pay higher registration fees, carry $1 million in insurance, and keep their dogs muzzled on public property and tethered on private property.

On October 17, 2012 the Edmonton City Council voted to pass an amendment to eliminate BSL from the bylaw. Public consultation efforts had revealed that over 85% if Edmontonians identified improper training, poor supervision, and irresponsible ownership as the main causes for dog attacks. An extensive data and policy review were also undertaken, including consultation with the public, off-leash dog park users, and dog industry experts. The final report can be found here, and it does an excellent job of looking at both sides of the story and developing a strong argument against BSL. One item that stood out for me in the report was the apparently high percentage bite rate to breed number for pit bulls. I can’t help but wonder if the calculated number of pit bulls in the City of Edmonton is underrepresented by licensing data due to the simple fact that many people probably choose to register their pit bull type dogs as other breeds – boxer mixes, lab mixes, American Bulldogs – simply to avoid paying higher licensing fees and being subject to BSL. Regardless, this is a huge victory after 25 years of BSL – way to go, Edmonton!!!

During the middle of the BC media storm we heard talk of adding breed specific language to the Maple Ridge bylaws – a step that would move our entire effort backwards and also have real implications for Maple Ridge residents. This July, Maple Ridge staff recommended a new bylaw that would single out all pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners an “aggressive dog” licensing fee of $200, four times the fee charged for other breeds. Pit bulls would also have to be muzzled when off the owner’s property and would be subject to higher impound fees. The bylaw would have applied to “pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.” Some Councillors expressed concern about the proposed change from the onset of this discussion.

Following consultation with the BCSPCA and tremendous public feedback against BSL, the original proposed bylaw was amended to remove breed specific language. The updated bylaw was recently passed by Council and includes aggressive/dangerous dog designations – for any type of dog – using a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” approach. HugABull Director Cheryl Seguin attended the Council meeting last week and noted that at least three of the Council members stated they were pleased that Maple Ridge was not going ahead with BSL because they didn’t support/agree with it – they said the owner should be held accountable, and the dog should not be “punished” for the owner’s irresponsibility. Way to set an example, Maple Ridge!!!

These victories are significant – not only for Edmonton and Maple Ridge residents and their dogs, but also for everyone who speaks out against breed discrimination. Both of these examples are proof that we can make a difference and that our efforts are worthwhile. They should also inspire us to continue to work towards eliminating BSL from all of our communities – learn how you can get involved.

Dear editors, reporters, producers, and the countless others that are responsible for our news,

We invite you to join us for an important event on Sunday, October 28, in an effort to move “beyond the myth” when it comes to reporting on dangerous dogs, specifically where pit bulls are concerned.

Last month, headlines about “vicious breeds” and “calls for a breed ban” were everywhere following tragic dog attacks on young children. While these incidences are shocking and rightly draw attention to the matter of dangerous dogs in our community, the discourse has a way of spiraling downwards. News coverage becomes sensationalized: pit bull attacks become the news item of the week, hyperbolic language takes over headlines, and attack photos become the core of the story.

Amongst all this coverage, important elements are missing from almost every news report. We almost never see statistics from animal control, showing that bites happen every day in BC and not only by pit bulls – not by a long shot. It’s also rare to see testimonials from animal control experts, veterinarians, behaviourists, researchers, or others who can give insight into what lies behind these acts.

In response, people enter into a discussion about breed. The same discussion that has been circling for over 20 years. Arguments volley, with pit bull advocates citing the many examples of loving family dogs that make up this breed. Others compare them to blood-thirsty predators and ticking time bombs.

The conversation is old and it is tired. Breed restrictions have been attempted and shown universally to be failed experiments – so why aren’t we asking new questions?

• Is there in fact a dog aggression epidemic?
• If yes, what do we know about it?
• What do the numbers say?
• What should we be doing differently?

In an attempt to spark this conversation, HugABull and Paws for Hope are hosting two screenings of the acclaimed documentary Beyond the Myth. It explores the effects of breed specific legislation in US communities and the many factors – including the role of the media – behind the demonization of a breed.

To bring a local perspective to the discussion, our screenings will be followed by panel discussions featuring local experts in animal welfare, animal control, and animal law.

While both shows are sold out, we are holding tickets for representatives from local media. Showings are on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 28, 2:00pm at the Vancity Theatre in downtown Vancouver. Complete information, including our list of panellists, is at www.hugabull.com/btm. Media passes can be reserved by contacting info@hugabull.com.

Please join us for this afternoon of discussion, and more importantly in our commitment to spark a productive, informed conversation about breeds, bites, and bans.

April Fahr
on behalf of the Board of Directors
HugABull Advocacy & Rescue Society

Fall is officially here. Which means it’s the perfect time to snag one of our amazing Adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes and curl up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa and settle in for some of the best snuggles you can find.

Thank you very much to all of our HugABull Angel Sponsors this month:

Chloe is being sponsored in memory of Rhiannon
Humphrey is being sponsored in memory of Parker
Trixie is being sponsored in memory of Lenin who will be dearly missed by Kanchana and Craig
Gibson is being sponsored by Melissa and Jeff
Wesley is being sponsored by ICON Tinting & Graphics

Rory and Patches could use some extra attention in the coming month.

Rory is an adorable 8 month old pointer/pit bull mix who came down with Parvo virus soon after we took him in. Luckily his foster mom immediately sought vet attention and he is now well on his way to recovery. Once he is strong enough, he will be neutered and ready for his forever home. He is a bright friendly boy, good with kids, dogs and cats, good on leash and loves his basketball. And he points!
Patches is a 3 year old male with a stunning blue eye. He is awesome with both dogs and cats and is crate and house trained. Patches knows all his basic commands and would enjoy practicing his skills at training class. He loves going for walks and is great on leash. While going for walks and showing off his tricks are some of his favourite activities, his all time favourite is snuggling with his person at the end of the day.

If you’re interested in sponsoring any of these amazing dogs, either by yourself or in honor of a loved pet or family member, take a look at our sponsorship program at http://hugabull.com/how-to-help/sponsor. You can also sponsor any of the dogs on our Adoptables’ page! http://hugabull.com/adoption/adoptables. You can make a one time donation, or choose to sponsor a dog on a monthly basis.If you have any questions or would like further information about the dogs listed, please email hugabull.sponsors@gmail.com.

Leading up to our Beyond the Myth event in just under 3 weeks (!!), we are working on a special project and we need your help.

Breed specific legislation comes in many forms. Whether we’re talking about provincial breed bans, municipal muzzle laws, or strata restrictions, it is all discrimination and it all affects families. And to illustrate this, we want to collect real life BSL stories from our community.

We invite you to send us a meaningful photo with a one-sentence explanation of how BSL has affected you.  Do you only walk your dog at night? Did you have to change homeowner’s insurance? Did you have trouble finding a place to live? We want to hear about it.

To submit your photo:

* Tweet it to @Hugabull and add a #BSLStories hashtag
* Upload it to our Facebook page
* Email it to BSLStories@gmail.com

Your photos and statements will be used to create a multimedia presentation showing the many ways that BSL affects families. From life-and-death examples like Lennox, to the hassle of having to carry a muzzle *just in case* Animal Control intercepts you on a peaceful evening walk, we want to show the full spectrum of BSL’s effects.

Send us your submissions by Monday, October 15, and please email BSLStories@gmail.com with any questions.

This has been an emotional month. While we fielded calls from reporters and read hateful diatribes in the media about our breed of choice, we had our heart break completely when we heard about a tiny puppy found in Surrey. Only about eight weeks old, she had extensive scarring on her face, leg deformities, a patchy coat, and was found wandering by herself when she should have been with her mom and littermates.

We don’t know the details of her past (the SPCA is actively investigating) but we can be certain she started her life with neglect, pain, and abuse. The caring staff at the Surrey Animal Care Centre took care of her vetting and fielded many adoption inquiries once her story hit the news, but being so young they felt it was in her best interest to go into a foster home where she could receive medical treatment, socialization, and TLC. That’s where HugABull came in.

When we put a call out for foster homes, we were contacted by Cheryl and Adam with Vancouver Shar Pei Rescue. These seasoned rescuers have nursed many a foster dog to adoptability, including a mangey pit bull pup from the Surrey cruelty seizure in 2010. Cheryl took little Madison home and started her on a high-quality raw diet, introduced her to the pack of three rescued shar peis, and gave her some structure and routine.

Madi has a series of seizures in her first days in foster care, and Cheryl rushed her to the vet to see if it was serious. Her bloodwork looks good and she’s been seizure-free since then, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed. Our next step is X-rays to determine the cause of her foot deformities and develop a treatment plan. We’re hopeful that a combination of physio and/or splinting might correct the problem completely by adulthood. She’s already improved her gait and muscle tone in just a couple of weeks.

Along with Madi we have over a dozen other dogs in foster care, including Grace, Teya, and Cyrus who have their own significant medical needs. With all our efforts focused on education and our Beyond the Myth event, we haven’t had the resources to fundraise, and we hope you can help. If you can spare $20, $50 or more, please consider sponsoring Madi! Proceeds will be directed to her care, treatment, and training, and we will send you an update on her progress.

We accept cash and cheque donations (drop-off details can be arranged via email at info@hugabull.com)  and we have set up a special PayPal fund. Use the button below to donate directly to Madi’s sponsorship!

Thank you to everyone who has donated already, including Hagen’s Travel & Cruises in Summerland, and Darryl & Chrissy Wilcox on behalf of their dogs Maia, Hampster, and Diablo!Right: Darryl and Maia pose with volunteer Alana at last week’s  ”Breaking Bad” fundraiser at Bosley’s Vernon!

Tragic incidents involving dogs and children fueled talk of “vicious breeds” and “breed bans” over the past weeks. The media, as usual, locked on to the hype, running gruesome injury photos, interviews with traumatized mothers, and calls to ban the breed.

There’s little to no discussion about the dogs in question, their backgrounds, and the circumstances leading up to these bites. While the media calls us in some cases to “defend the breed” it’s still extremely rare to see animal professionals being consulted for an informed perspective on dog behaviour or ways to prevent these attacks. Nor do we see numbers on the frequency of pit bull attacks on the local or provincial level.

It’s time to move away from knee-jerk reactions and sensationalistic coverage. We need to have a constructive and rational conversation about breeds, bites, and bans. And so we are issuing a challenge to all Vancouver area media outlets and city councillors:

HugABull is reserving seats for editors, reporters, journalists, city councillors or bylaw staff to attend a Beyond the Myth screening in Vancouver on October 20 or 28.

Two tickets will be available for each media outlet, and for each city with BSL. Journalists may cover the event if they wish and interview any of our representatives or panellists, or they may simply sit in the audience anonymously.

Why should they attend? Because they’ve shown incredible interest in “pit bull maulings” and “breed bans” in the past; by extension there should be interest in an acclaimed documentary on the topic, presented for the first time on the Canadian west coast. And since they make time to talk to victims in pit bull attacks, perhaps it’s time to hear from the animal control and animal welfare experts on our panel.

How can you help?
As a first step, you can help us build our list. Please comment on this post or on our Facebook page with the names of media outlets, reporters, or municipal representatives who you think could benefit from a little more education on “the pit bull problem”.

Media
CKNW
CTV News
Global BC News
Globe & Mail
News 1130
Peace Arch News
The Province
The Surrey Now
The Vancouver Sun

(CBC News and CBC Radio One will also be invited, but we believe they deserve some kudos for a couple of fresh perspectives on the story. CBC News aired a sequence about dogs and children, and CBC Radio One aired a story on media bias and discussed their own role in sensationalizing stories. Well done, and an example to be followed.)

Municipalities
Burnaby – contact form on their website
New Westminster – email postmaster@newwestcity.ca
Pitt Meadows – email council@pittmeadows.bc.ca
Richmond – email mayorandcouncillors@richmond.ca
West Vancouver – email MayorandCouncil@westvancouver.ca

We will extend invitations but it’s a long list we could use your help. Please help us share this opportunity by emailing, Facebooking, Tweeting – any way you feel like respectfully reaching out to the people who would most benefit from this event. Ask if they are aware of the opportunity to attend, let them know why it matters, and encourage them to register for tickets with us at info@hugabull.com.

Please share your ideas by commenting below, by joining the discussion on our Facebook page or Twitter feed, or by email. We’re excited to see what we can do together, and to open up a long overdue dialogue with media and policy-makers!

For more information on the event, visit www.hugabull.com/btm

Rosa Va is a new mom, guardian to an Italian mastiff, and a professional model. Like many of us, she became concerned when she heard the recent media coverage calling for a pit bull ban after attacks on children in BC. As someone who experienced a severe dog attack in her past, she used her Facebook page to share some personal advice to those affected by these events. Her post struck a chord and quickly went viral. Rose gave us permission to share this on our blog so we could reach even more people with her touching and personal message about healing.

Regarding current pit bull attacks in BC. 

To: The families of the attack victims 
I understand your dislike for the breed and dogs at this moment. It’s understandable and wouldn’t ask anything less. But take in mind that banning or setting a restriction to a certain breed doesn’t help nor does it help your child. For awhile you will feel the need to dislike dogs (pit bulls especially) and stay away from them…but instead learn more about them, help your child understand what happened and how she should act around family pets/strange pets. She will need you to help her and not develop a fear of them.

To: The children who got bitten and for others who were bitten
Going through this traumatic event in your life and the scars it will leave you physically is hard. Take this event and turn it around by not becoming fearful and learning more about dogs (pit bulls in your case). You can learn more about how to interact with strange dogs/family dogs and how they should be around you. It will be a struggle to overcome…but becoming knowledgeable will help you overcome the fear that you might
develop.

As well, your scars will heal and yes they will show but remember you become beautiful for the positivity you bring not for the physical.

To: Those who want to dispute me:
I was once bitten by a dog when I was in grade 9…and not just a nip. I had go through reconstructive surgery twice to fix my lower bottom lip and chin. I understand the perspective of the victim and I understand the parents’ reaction (because I saw my mom go through her fear). I realized that being fearful wasn’t helping me at all, so I decided to volunteer at the SPCA Vancouver shelter and I learned a lot from the vets and all the people working there. I learned how dogs work and how we shouldn’t be comparing breeds, because every dog has the possibility to be good and bad. I learned how to respect them and how they should respect me.

It took awhile, but becoming more involved/educated helped me. Though I did this on my own, I wish I’d had my parents’ help. They just showed fear. Though I understand it was dramatic for them, if they would’ve done it with me it would’ve been good for them and probably less hard for me.

I currently have a beautiful Italian Mastiff (1 ½) and have trained her and continue to train her and myself. I support HugABull.com….and I have in past also had two beautiful Dobermans and one day hope to own a pit bull.

Please realize that media likes to show pit bull attacks more then other breeds. Here’s a link to some of the research done by professionals:
http://hugabull.com/resources/bsl/

Lets be fair…and humane…and educate yourself before speaking out.

Sincerely, Rose

This picture is of my scar (I have two, one on each side and small one on left cheek that you can barely even see now). I have to my pucker lips so you can see it….but as you can also see, scars haven’t affected my chances in modeling.

Well, the summer may be winding down…but that doesn’t mean we are. We’re busy as ever with some great dogs looking for their forever homes!

A very big thank you to our sponsors this month:

Cross Roads Naturopathic – HugABull Angel to Ozzy
Leah Dube, John Dunbar and their dog Ace – HugABull Angel Monthly Sponsors to Java

Newton and Humphrey could use some extra love this month. Keep an eye out for Newt on our Adoptables page soon.

Newton or “Newt” as his foster mom calls him, is a young American
Bulldog cross. This 90-pound puppy believes he is a lap dog and, should you choose not to crate him at night, you’ll find he loves to spoon as well.  Newt hasn’t had much in the way of training but is game for just about anything (except going outside in the rain) and we are hoping to get him into a basic obedience class this fall to brush up on the basics. Newt is house and crate trained, and walks well on leash. He loves people, dogs – even goats! – and would be an easy addition to any home.

Humphrey: An 8 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Humphrey may be a senior to some, but to others he’s perfectly in his prime. This handsome man is excellent with people and dogs and enjoys a good snuggle. Humphrey loves snuggling with his foster brother on the bed (with his head under the blankets). Humphrey has been a frequent patient at the vet, receiving a neuter, dental work, and lump removal.

If you’re interested in sponsoring any of these amazing dogs, either by yourself or in honor of a loved pet or family member, take a look at our sponsorship program at http://hugabull.com/how-to-help/sponsor. You can also sponsor any of the dogs on our Adoptables’ page! http://hugabull.com/adoption/adoptables. You can make a one time donation, or choose to sponsor a dog on a monthly basis.If you have any questions or would like further information about the dogs listed, please email hugabull.sponsors@gmail.com.

We’re always so proud when a HugABull dog tests their skills at the rigorous Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) test. In this case, we’re especially proud of our young boy Mobey who recently earned his CGN status with the help of his superstar foster family. A very big congratulations to Mobey, and a very big thank-you to Mobey’s foster family for their dedication and hard work.

A very special thank you to Java’s HugABull Angel Monthly Donors - Leah Dube, John Dunbar and their dog Ace.

Lovely ladies Genny and Chloe could use some help in the upcoming month.

Genevieve- A victim of neglect at the hands of her previous owner, Genevieve is
gaining healthy weight and confidence in foster care and is enjoying the chance to finally be a carefree puppy. This active one year old eagerly awaits a forever home in which she gets frequent opportunities to stretch her elegant legs and run a few miles daily. In the meantime, she attends weight pull and early morning bootcamp sessions with Pooch Partners!

Chloe- An overbred momma dog, Chloe is happy to have her life as a breeding machine behind her. She is being fostered in the Okanagan and has impressed everyone with her lovely manners and razor-sharp intelligence. She loves clicker training sessions with her foster mom, and has joined Genevieve in Pooch Partner’s fun weight pull sessions. Chloe has a few medical bills following her spay and some treatment for allergies, and would really love a sponsor. Look for this gorgeous girl on our adoptables page soon!

If you’re interested in sponsoring any of these amazing dogs, either by yourself or in honor of a loved pet or family member, take a look at our sponsorship program at http://hugabull.com/how-to-help/sponsor. You can also sponsor any of the dogs on our adoptables page! http://hugabull.com/adoption/adoptables. You can make a one time donation, or choose to sponsor a dog on a monthly basis.If you have any questions or would like further information about the dogs listed, please email hugabull.sponsors@gmail.com.