Title Page:
Presented to:
Presented by:
Carol Randall
Clancy,
Rottweiler, Assistance Dog.
365 Gibson
Street
Fredericton,
NB E3A 4E7
506-472-7150
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
I am a Polio
victim of over fifty years and have a Rottweiler that, besides being my
constant and loyal companion of ten years, has been personally trained as an
Assistance Dog.
I represent
not an organization, not a breeder, but I feel, a responsible dog owner, who
owns a Rottweiler.
The purpose
of my Presentation is to help you understand that most Rottweilers are not the
‘bad’ breed as you portray.
I do not
agree with Bill #55 targeting certain breeds of dogs as ‘Restricted’ Dogs but
feel that Bill #55 should address dogs of all breeds that are deemed as
“dangerous.”
I do have a
few recommendations regarding a new Bill based on a “Dangerous Dog Act.”
INTRODUCTION:
"He is your friend, your partner,
your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to
the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such
devotion"
Good morning honourable members and
ladies and gentleman.
I represent
not an organization, not a breeder, nor an enforcer, but a responsible
Rottweiler owner. The purpose of my
Presentation is to help you understand that most Rottweilers are not the ‘bad’
breed as you portray
A Rottweiler is a working dog and is the happiest when there is a job to do
whether it is herding, competing in obedience, tracking, search and rescue, or
being a personal assistant.
I would like to begin my Presentation
with some background information about my dog and myself.
Clancy sat quietly in her cage at the Fredericton
SPCA dog #1466, wondering who would take a chance with her, a breed with
a bad reputation. That was in 1994, when I adopted "Clancy," an
eighteen-month old Rottweiler. -- I didn't realize that I could fall so hard and
fast for a dog.
At the age of eight I contracted Polio, which
completely paralyzed me except for my neck and the fingers of my left
hand. With the help of surgery, physiotherapy, and external aids, such as
crutches and a long-leg brace, I was able to maintain a fairly 'normal' and
independent way of life for many years. While growing up in Harvey
Station my father raised Canadian Kennel Club, or CKC, registered German
Shepherds and my love of dogs followed me throughout the years. Once I
became a homeowner, having my 'own' dog was a must, so acquired a young
Shepherd from a backyard breeder - a bad mistake. I lost him at age 15
months, but during that time got involved with the River Valley Dog Obedience
Club.
When it came time to get another dog, I decided to
get one from the local SPCA, so did my homework before hand in order to find a
dog that met my requirements - young adult, gentle, not rambunctious - to name
a few. Research into her background
uncovered her life in the drug community.
Who knows where or what she would have been liked if she had remained in
that atmosphere.
It is now 2004, ten years later, and Clancy and I
both have more difficulty getting about. Arthritis and hip displysia have
settled in her bad leg making her 'bunny hop' often while getting about. That does not stop her however in following
me everywhere and wanting to 'help' me whatever the chore may be.
Many years ago my crutches were replaced by a scooter
for most of my ambulation and then seven years ago I badly broke my brace leg
and found it even more difficult to do personal chores. From day-one
Clancy has followed me everywhere – a wonderful trait shared by most
Rottweilers. Whether it is following me
in the house or running or laying beside my scooter, she can never seem to get
close enough to me. Although Clancy and I had originally completed three
levels of basic obedience training with the RVO, I thought that Clancy, being
of a working breed, would be an even happier and more confident dog if she had
a purpose in life. So being a good dog
as well as being very intelligent, I had her privately trained as an Assistance
Dog..
Terry Pye of Pye Canine Academy in Keswick spent
three weeks giving her additional training such as teaching her the meaning of
the words "take it", "hold" and "out." In the beginning Clancy was very stubborn in
learning these new commands, as picking items up, a natural activity for a
Retriever, was not for a Rottweiler.
However today my Rottweiler is most willing and happy
to retrieve whatever I ask of her ..... pick up a spoon or coin, open a door,
carry my clothes, help me to remove my coat or socks, carry a clothes basket or
recycle bin, drop dirty clothes into a basket, carry my briefcase or purse,
retrieve the TV remote, an item from another room or retrieve my
crutches. Clancy is also a great little 'gofor' in carrying items to/from
my neighbour – a great help when you have run out of milk or toilet paper.
At the Malls she has learned to quietly walk behind
me while going though doorways or aisles, at restaurants to lie quietly under a
table, or at a meeting to lie quietly beside me (as she is doing now).
When going for a drive or eating her meal, Clancy will always 'stare' at me
asking for permission to proceed.
Clancy often surprises me by knowing exactly what I want even before I
ask her. One day while on the phone I wondered what the commotion was
behind me - one of my crutches fell behind my chair and Clancy got up on her
own to dig the crutch out. When I am
experiencing some physical difficulties you often find her standing there with
'that' look that seems to say 'how best can I help you, Mum.”
Since Clancy has developed her new skills we have
done many public demonstrations. Besides the ones with the Obedience
Club, we have been to several schools, YMCA, Wheels to Meals, Kindness Club,
Church groups, and other senior activities. As members of River Valley
Obedience we belong to a Hospital Visitation team that visit the Veterans,
patients at the Rehabilitation Centre, and Seniors at some of the Nursing
Homes.
Not all dogs can become ‘visitors’ to the hospitals or become
‘therapy’ dogs. Careful attention is
paid to testing a dog for its reaction around loud noises, canes, wheelchairs,
people – young or old – pulling on their ears and tails, poking fingers in
their eyes, etc. If a dog is a wee bit
shy or insecure in any of these areas than it is not recommended that the dogs
do these visitations. Several years ago
Clancy and I visited an Alzheimer’s Wing at the Veterans Unit. As Clancy turned to leave this gentleman’s
chair, he reached out and grabbed her by the tail and had what I would call a
‘vice’ grip on it. Clancy, oh so
gently, turned around and laid her chin on the top of his hand until he
released his grip.
At the Schools and other
youth oriented centers we help teach children how to approach and interact
properly with a dog. Many of our
tragedies involving dogs happen in people’s own homes. Parents do not teach children that dogs are
not plushy toys – they can not be roughly handled, poked at, or squeezed at
random. Dogs have feelings as you and I
do and each can react differently to the same situation. All dogs regardless of size should not be
left unattended with a child. Case in
point is the newborn baby that was decapitated by a Pomeranian, a dog that
weighs only 7 lbs.
Speaking of education and children, I
recall an encounter that Clancy had with an 18 month-old child many years
ago. We were visiting friends at their
cottage, a cottage that was not in sight of others. A neighbouring woman and her grandchild later dropped in. The child toddled over to Clancy who was
lying quietly on the grass at the time.
I said to the woman, “Are you not concerned about your grandchild
wandering over to a strange dog?” She
said, “Oh, no, we have a German Shepherd at home.” What on earth does that have to do with an unfamiliar dog? A little later the child again toddles over
to Clancy, picks up the stainless steel bowl full of water, empties it, and
then throws it, hitting Clancy on the head.
Who would have been to blame if Clancy had retaliated? Fortunately Clancy got up, shook her head,
and walked in the opposite direction, and the Grandmother made no attempt at
all to apologize and most important made no attempt to educate her grandchild
on how to properly behave around dogs, let alone a strange dog.
Clancy is a very personable dog. She may come
on rather strong at times, as in barking when a person first comes into the
yard, but soon she is nuzzling you or placing her bum on your feet. She always
moves automatically, without commands, when I am walking or scootering - never
in a position where she might impede my way. As with any dog that has a
high drive, she is always eager to chase a ball or play with her favourite
squeaky toy
As a family member, Clancy is always included in
family activities. Clancy, being so
very well-behaved, is always welcomed to stay at homes of family and friends,
or stay at a Motel If more convenient for my wheelchair.
I feel that Clancy is a very well behaved Rottweiler
because we, as ‘parents’, are constantly reminding her that we are the alpha
figure in her life. Many problems arise
in a home when those in charge tend to let their dog eat when he wants to, get
up on the couch or bed when he wants to – basically doing what or whenever he
wants to. A dog, regardless of size,
very soon learns that he is the ‘boss’ in the family and acts accordingly.
Last year I again broke my leg and now a wheelchair
is my main mode of transportation. And
still at the age of eleven and half years, although a little slower, Clancy is
still by my side every step or wheel I take.
How many more years will we have to spend together, only God knows. But I do know that life without my Best
Friend is very difficult to think of now.
Although the above is based on one dog
only, there are many Rottweilers that I personally know that exhibit many of
Clancy’s positive behavioral traits.
Most Rottweilers are considered valuable members of responsible family
households and thus respond accordingly.
My presentation at this Public Hearing
is to address my personal concerns regarding the proposed Bill #55: Restricted
Dogs Act.
First of all, I applaud your government
for introducing the general concept of this Bill and accommodating the many
Presenters at these Public Hearings.
However I do believe that the Bill as proposed now should instead
address the problems in our society as associated with all dogs.
Based on the proposed Bill #55,
Restricted Dogs Act:
Ø
It takes away much of my personal freedom by deeming my
chosen breed of dog as a “Restricted” Dog.
Ø
The restraints on my dog would not allow her to personally
assist me while off my property.
Ø
The restraints on my dog would affect our positive
interaction with family, friends, and any other public visitations.
Ø
Bill #55 would punish me as a responsible dog owner.
Ø
Bill #55 would affect my personal form of independence.
Ø
Bill #55 would create a financial burden on our household by
having to pay for an additional one-million dollar liability insurance policy.
Ø
Bill #55 would create a financial burden on our household if
I choose to act outside the Law.
Ø
Most important, Bill #55 would not allow me to share a very
special love with one of the most loyal breeds of dogs.
All dogs, of any size, have the capacity to inflict public
mischief, injury and even death, if allowed to be or put into certain
situations. and/or environments, or conditioned to do so.
Therefore I present a few recommendations re amendments to
Bill #55.
MY
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ø
Bill #55 should remove all references to any specific breed
of dogs.
Ø
Bill #55 should be replaced with a generic section that will
allow officials to identify and remove any dog ascertained to be dangerous
Ø
Bill #55 should address irresponsible dog ownership.
Ø
Bill #55 should respect the rights of responsible dog owners
regardless of the breed they own.
Ø
Bill #55 should provide means of education, school system,
and the public at large, with programs that will be recommended by other
Presenters.
Ø
Bill #55 should address the great problem of ‘back-yard’
breeders, puppy mill operators, Pet Stores that sell dogs, etc. as they
encourage the mass breeding of all breeds without concern of their proper
health, genetic, and most important social welfare of these dogs.
Ø
Bill #55 should have greater means in which they will
provide assistance to the SPCA with the implementation of their mission which
is to
o
provide
shelter and care for abandoned, abused and neglected animals;
o
promote responsible pet guardianship;
o
encourage and assist in the enforcement of all laws enacted
for the protection of all animals;
o
create and sustain a general interest in animal welfare
Ø
Bill #55 should look at ways to best assist all agencies in
enforcing current laws ie ‘leash’ law.
Dogs not abiding this particular law has created many problems for
Clancy and I while out walking.
In closing, I know there are many other
excellent recommendations that will be presented to you within these two
days. Many of the Presenters I know
personally and am very impressed by the amount of knowledge and expertise that
they will be bringing to these Public Hearings. I trust that you will do what is right for all dogs and mankind.
Thank you.