Halifax regional council has unanimously passed a motion urging the provincial government to enhance laws pertaining to dangerous dogs, and has advocated for the establishment of a provincial dangerous dog registry. This call for action comes in the wake of two well-publicized incidents in Nova Scotia. One incident involved the tragic death of a 13-year-old boy in the Shelburne region who was attacked by a Rottweiler and two cane corso dogs. In another incident, a German shepherd in Windsor Junction, part of Halifax Regional Municipality, attacked a mother and her children in 2023.
The council’s decision on Tuesday tasked Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore with writing a letter to Nova Scotia’s municipal affairs minister, John MacDonald, to request legislative revisions. Coun. Trish Purdy emphasized the importance of improved safety for residents across Nova Scotia, particularly concerning dogs with a history of attacks. Purdy had previously initiated a staff report on this matter earlier in the year.
Currently, Nova Scotia municipalities are responsible for defining and regulating dangerous dogs through bylaws, sometimes based on breed. However, there are loopholes that allow dog owners to evade penalties, such as moving to a different municipality to avoid muzzle orders. Halifax’s proposal, outlined in a March staff report, calls for provincial legislation that clearly defines dangerous dogs and establishes a system for sharing information on dangerous dog designations among jurisdictions.
The proposed centralized registry would include details about the dog’s owner, breed, color, photo, and any imposed restrictions. Additionally, the council’s proposal seeks amendments to legislation that would enable municipalities to seize dogs without a warrant in situations where public safety is at risk. However, the Department of Municipal Affairs stated that a province-wide registry is not currently under consideration.
Coun. Cathy Deagle Gammon, who supported Purdy’s motion for the staff report, urged citizens to engage with their Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to raise awareness about the significance of these proposed changes. In Halifax Regional Municipality, a dog may be classified as dangerous if it has a history of attacking people or animals, is involved in dog fighting, or is subject to a muzzle order.
In summary, Halifax council’s call for tougher legislation and the creation of a dangerous dog registry aims to enhance public safety and accountability regarding potentially dangerous dogs in Nova Scotia.