Objection: Proposed Pit Bull & Dog By-Laws
This is my objection to, and request for revaluation of, the proposed Pit Bull Terrier and ‘Keeping of Dogs’ by-laws in Knysna. It was passed at the Governance & Planning Section 80 meeting and now goes to the Mayoral Committee (MAYCO) for approval before, shortly thereafter, heading on to the Council Meeting where it is legislated.
The goal must be to have the Mayoral Committee send it back to the Section 80 meeting where they should encourage and consider public participation. An advantage is that Ray Barrell (DA) is the Chairperson of Governance & Planning as well as a member of the MAYCO.
I sent this request to him and two of his fellow committee members, Elrick van Aswegen (COPE) and Stephen de Vries (ANC). Through them, their political parties can also be informed.
With reference to the proposed ‘pit bull’ and ‘dog’ by-laws discussed at the Governance Meeting on October 7, i request that when it reaches the Mayoral meeting, you recommend that they be returned to the Section 80 so that you can respond to, and debate with, the public before enacting legislation.
I am not a dog expert and the purpose of this email is not for me to take a side i.e. are pit bulls vicious versus trustworthy pets. My belief in public participation, especially regards by-laws, motivates this email. This is emphasised by my blog at www.knysnakeep.org/pit-bull-terrier-laws-for-knysna which has, remarkably, gained 6000 views (proof attached) and 1000 Facebook shares since yesterday.
Considerable public interest in this issue.
There are over 3 pages of comments there for you to digest and more if you look on other media. People are threatening not to visit or move to Knysna and local owners feel strongly that the situation lacks understanding and that they are being victimised. It’s an emotive issue.
Have experts been consulted? What proof is there of dog violence in Knysna and what was the situation e.g. dog fighting, domestic etc.
I’m not saying stipulate muzzles but even that would be less draconian than banning dog walking. It would be fairer to classify all potentially dangerous breeds together, encourage sterilisation and issue cards for owners which they could produce like a driver’s licence. An education campaign should accompany.
No matter what is decided, it should be done with compassion and the rights of all in mind.
Thank you.
PS: As asked by Councillor Aswegen at stated meeting, why are there about to be by-laws for so many animals yet not for cats which can be an obvious health hazard?
PS2: What is Local Enforcement going to do to enforce the by-laws regarding stray pigs, goats and cows? If one law isn’t appropriately addressed then how can more be added. By-laws must not be seen to be an easy way of making money off those who are believed to be able to afford it.
A petition set up by ‘Sarah Y.’ has already received 890 signatures. When it reaches it’s goal of 1000, it will be sent to the Knysna Municipality.
Already 90 comments, must be some sort of record. It’s amazing how few people have anything to comment about some of the other serious issues that this blog brings up, but dog breed / race discrimination seems to be more controversial than human breed / race discrimination.
90 on the previous post with some more added here. I absolutely believe in animal rights and love public participation but it simultaneously depresses me that humans are not given the same attention. Only by creating responsible humans can we truly stand a chance at saving the animals.
One wonders, if this by-law gets implemented – WHO, will be assigned the task of determining whether or not a Bull Terrier like dog is a Pit Bull or NOT! The majority of responsible owners will be penalised because of a few who abuse the privilege of owning these beautiful creatures. As a staffie owner and mixed staffie owner I am seriously re-considering our desire to sell and move to Knysna – I do not want to be anywhere that my babies are not welcome. No doubt those who are abusing the breed for fighting and puppy mills to supply the fighting market will continue to get away with it, as to the drug dealers, the people who deal in stolen goods, the abusers whilst those who already take responsible dog ownership seriously will be pushed into an ever smaller world. By all means, have home inspections, have a register, have licences, enforce number of dog ownership by-laws and – seek out and prosecute the people behind the fighting and breeding. This has been pushed through without enough research, thought or public participation – like so many laws in this country nowadays. Send it back to the drawing board, bring in the experts, compromise and let’s find a way to punish the deed, not the breed and its owners.
The term Pit Bull is often used as a generic term used to describe dogs with similar physical characteristics. A “Pit Bull” is one of several breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Bully, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, or any mix thereof. Any dog that is mixed with a “Bull breed”[citation needed] may also be called a “Pit Bull” including those that are descended from the English Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Boston Terrier.
The genetic similarity of Bull breed dogs may make it difficult for experts to visually identify them,[1][2][3] and while mixed breed dogs are often labeled a “pit bull” if they have certain physical characteristics such as a square shaped head or bulky body type,[4] visual identification of mixed breed dogs is not recommended by the scholarly community.[1]
I like your comparison to drugs. It has become a world of aiming for the targets that can’t fight back rather than the targets that matter. It’s a way of pretending to do something whilst doing nothing at all.
A good intervention Mike.
Thanks, Mike. It has been highly successful. I gave a nudge but real credit must go to the public for their persistence and growth.