Saskatoon takes in dogs displaced by breed bans

Dozer loves to play and go for walks and he really likes being the centre of attention.But he's also not allowed in Thompson, Man.

The LabMastiffStaffordshireterrier-mix was sent to the Saskatoon SPCA for adoption because Thompson is one of several communities in the country that has breed-specific legislation which bans the ownership of certain types of dogs.

The Saskatoon SPCA takes several transfers of breeds that fall under the pit bull label because of these bans.

"We've always taken dogs for that reason," Lindsay Royale with the Saskatoon SPCA, said.

Dozer was transferred in early November and Royale said they noticed his friendly personality right away. Unfortunately, she said, because of the stigmas around pit bull, or pit bull-looking breeds, he was not immediately adopted into a new family.

The SPCA put Dozer, along with his story, on their Facebook page and he was adopted into a new home this week.

That process isn't easy, Royale said. Often, it is the humane societies in regions with a breed ban that foot the cost to ship the animal elsewhere. There are breed bans in all of Ontario, Winnipeg, and other regions across the country.

"I know that currently we have two dogs that were transferred from Kitchener because of breed bans. It seems to be becoming more popular, more frequent," Royale said.

"Due to the breed ban, they don't have any options.Those animals can't exist in those cities. It is illegal."

Royale said the bans come because of a misunderstanding around the dogs. She said pit bull is not really a breed but a description of a mix which is larger, with an intimidating stance. She added that previously, the pit bull type of dog was a poster breed for the Second World War because of their bravery and was used as a nanny or therapy dog.

"It's really unfair to certain kinds of dogs to say that one breed is a certain way," Royale said.

Instead, she said the animal's temperament is more related to their owner.

Her advice for owners is to make sure you spend time with your animal and tosocialize them. Positive reinforcement classes also help, she added.

There are no breed bansthat Royale is aware ofin Saskatchewan.