In Turkey, they have recently passed a law that makes it mandatory for people who want to own a dog to acquire a license. You have to prove you know what needs to be done to take care of and train a dog BEFORE you are allowed to own one. A perfectly fantastic idea! Why shouldn’t you get training on how to take care of and train a dog? Any of you that responded to the last sentence with “You put out food and pick up the poop. What else is there to know?” You should be first in line. “My dog if perfectly happy! They love me!” I’m sure they do, but you are putting them at risk by not knowing everything you should. How many times have you heard the sentence “He’s such a good dog! He’s never been violent before! He didn’t mean to hurt anyone!” and I’m sure he didn’t. The dog was being a dog. On average dogs have the intelligence level of about an eight year old human. They don’t have the same ability to plan ahead as an adult should. The training provided to future dog owners would offer tips, tricks, and things to watch for. Forcing people to have a valid licence to own a dog would also help regulate the trafficking of dogs for things like pit bull fighting. Canada’s animal cruelty laws may be a joke, but the penalties for not having a valid licence are generally pretty steep. It may not completely stop pit bull rings, but it would make it much harder for people to obtain them and next to impossible to get another one if found participating in illegal activities. It would also stop people found guilty of animal abuse from buying a new dog at all.
Its a wonderful idea and would safisfy both side of the ongoing pit bull debate. Dogs would be better trained, owners better educated, and the general public a much safer place.
