Since 2005, Ontario has faced unjust Breed Specific Legislation bylaws that affect not only owners, but practicing veterinarians.

As licensed veterinarians in the province of Ontario, we wholeheartedly agree with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Dangerous Dog Position Statement: 

“The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) supports dangerous dog legislation provided that it is not discriminatory of a specific breed. This legislation should be directed at fostering the safety and protection of the general public from dogs classified as “dangerous” or “vicious”. The CVMA encourages and supports a community approach to dog bite prevention, including responsible breeding, training, pet selection and pet ownership as well as education on animals in the community.”

As such, we support all legislative initiatives that fosters the community approach to dangerous dogs, such as those in place in Calgary’s “Responsible Pet Owner Bylaw”, and also all initiatives to repeal all Ontario laws that are discriminatory to a specific breed.