Halifax Council has taken the next step to push for a dangerous dog registry in the province.
In a unanimous vote, Tuesday, Council passed a motion for Mayor Andy Fillmore to write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs John A. MacDonald, asking for the changes.
It was tabled by Councillors Trish Purdy and Kathy Deagle-Gammon in January to ask the province to control legislation around dangerous dogs, seizing animals after a serious attack and implementing stricter penalties for owners who lack control.
They will also ask that dangerous dogs not be moved between jurisdictions.
According to the report, it comes after a Council meeting November 18 when a local family who survived a severe dog attack shared their experience and outlined the above requests.
The fatal dog attack in January when a 13-year-old boy was mauled by two Cane Corso’s and a Rotweiller in Shelburne County was also a contributor.
“I think this report gives us everything we need to ask the province to help our municipalities strengthen our dangerous dog legislation in an effort to help victims feel more supported [and] feel safer,” said Purdy.
“So that people across Nova Scotia will have improved safety and security from dogs that have passed history in attacks.”
Purdy added that according to a dog behavior specialist, if dogs attack and feel skin in their teeth, “it’s not a matter of if they will attack again, it’s a matter of when. Once they get that instinct in them, it just doesn’t go away.”
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