‘Breed doesn’t determine risk’: Winnipeg Humane Society launches flyer campaign ahead of municipal byelection

The Winnipeg Humane Society wants voters in an upcoming byelection to think about a possible repealing of a breed ban in the city. Harrison Shin reports.

The Winnipeg Humane Society is putting the topic of dog breeds on the ballot for residents in Elmwood-East Kildonan during the city byelection next month.

On Thursday, the organization launched a flyer campaign requesting voters to ask candidates to “support breed-neutral legislation that focuses on behaviour, not breed,” according to a social media post.

“The City of Winnipeg has done a very good job, putting provisions in their bylaw to deal with dangerous and exceptionally dangerous dogs—no matter their breed,” said Krista Boryskavich, director of animal advocacy, legal and government relations at the Winnipeg Humane Society.

“If that already exists and if we believe very strongly, that is a good response to deal with dangerous dogs, then the Humane Society’s position is that there’s no need for a breed ban that unfairly targets dogs based on their breed and their appearance.”

Currently, the bylaw—which city councillors are responsible for passing—bans three breeds of pit bulls from the city: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier.

“On April 28, 2022, council voted against amendments to the prohibited dog breeds section of the Responsible Pet Ownership by-law,” the city said in a statement.

Dr. Christopher Adams, adjunct professor in political studies at the University of Manitoba, said it won’t be easy to reverse the city’s position, but the campaign is a conversation starter.

“One of the tactics for interest groups to get successes, is to know issues before they arise … that train has left the station, in the sense that legislation or regulations were put forward by city council and passed some time ago,” Adams said.

“It’ll be a little bit more difficult. But the profile of this issue is being raised by this (campaign) … if it does affect the outcome and if there’s a certain candidate who’s elected because of this, then she or he will likely raise this at city council.”

CTV News reached out to all six candidates who are currently registered in the byelection as of Friday for their stance.

Abel Gutierrez, Kyle Roche and Zekaria Selahadin all said they do not support the breed-specific bylaw and called for a review and/or change.

Braydon Mazurkiewich said he loves dogs, and the only animals he thinks should be off the streets are “the thugs that should be behind bars.”

Carmen Prefontaine said she hadn’t previously heard of the campaign, while Emma Durand-Wood said breed-specific legislation is a new topic to her.

Durand-Wood said routine reviews of all city bylaws are important and she takes an “evidence-based approach to all policy positions.”

Prefontaine said she will “hear from constituents and experts before making a determination on legislation that impacts people’s lives.”