Map of the Week: Where the dogs are (part two)

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR

Here is the second part of our dog map series - a series of maps, one for each of Toronto's top 20 dog breeds. (If you missed Part 1, which gives an overall picture of dog ownership in the city, click here.)

In 2008, these were:

You can start with our top-rated breed, Labrador retrievers, and work your way through all the maps, or use the links below to go to one directly.

Some breeds have clear patterns, while others don’t. Purebred Labs are centred in the high-income areas along Yonge St. south of the 401, while mixed Labs are spread out across south Etobicoke, Riverdale, the Beaches and part of the coastline part of Scarborough.

Pit bulls form a rough V across the city, with strong pockets around Bloor and Dufferin and Queen and Coxwell. (The ban on pit bulls seems not to have had much of an effect on their numbers over the last four years.)

As an aside, two dogs in the database are listed as a Siberian husky/wolf cross, one near Bathurst and Sheppard and the other near Brown’s Line. An animal described as a ‘wolf cross’ lives around Birchmount and Sheppard. Hopefully none of them have to live in small apartments.

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1:  Labrador retrievers | 2:  Golden retrievers | 3:  German shepherds | 4:  Parson Russell Terriers | 5:  Shih Tzus | 6:  Beagles | 7:  Pit bulls | 8:  Labrador retriever mix | 9:  Miniature schnauzers | 10:  German shepherd mix | 11:  Bichon Frise | 12:  Miniature poodles | 13:  Yorkshire terriers | 14:  Cocker spaniels | 15:  Siberian huskies | 16:  Border collies | 17:  Standard poodles | 18:  Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers | 19:  Rottweilers | 20:  Boxers |

Comments

[Antonia]

Questions, I have questions! And comments!

As a person disgusted by the legislation against pitbulls, I am always appalled by how media neglect to mention that they are probably the most common inner city dog in North America. I have never met a pitbull --whatever that is -- that I have not liked. Most of the ones I know are rescues cared for by responsible people.

Two nights ago, I was at the Vet Emerg Clinic where an anxious couple was awaiting to hear the fate of their four month-old spaniel who was attached by not-a-pitbull. No media coverage there.

Last summer, another couple was in with a pitbull whose ear had been torn off by an Irish Water Spaniel. No media coverage there.

Anyway, are these numbers based on registrations? If so it stands to reason that the apparent pitbull population has risen because unregistered pitbulls are dead pitbulls. Anybody caught with an unlicensed pit will feel the fury of this inhumane law.

Note that the increase (apparent increase) is in areas where my guess is, based on my own perambulations with my dog, many people have adopted abandoned pitbulls.

Just something to note on this sad day when the death sentence on these lovely and misportrayed dogs have been upheld.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/523951

[pcain]

Hi, Antonia -

The numbers are based on dog licences, there being no other real source of data. To what extent we're mapping dogs, and to what extent licence compliance, is something of a puzzle (much like the firearms maps).

Also, pit bulls as a category in the City licence system are a different thing from the 'pit bulls' defined in law, which include Staffs and AmStaffs.

As for the shape on the map, it was pretty similar four years ago.

[BowWow]

Shame on you McGuinty
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/649678

[BowWow]

Just in case people haven`t read the OVMA Testimony prior to the Ban...here it is.

http://www.ontla.on.ca/committee-proceedings/transcripts/files_html/2005-01-24_M009.htm#P672_181318

Please read all of it at the link.

[quote]....An argument is sometimes made that, while all dogs bite, only a few breeds cause serious injury when they attack. Again, this hypothesis does not withstand scrutiny. A study by the Canadian hospitals injury reporting and prevention program examined the dog breeds involved in attacks that were serious enough that the victim sought medical attention at one of eight reporting hospitals. The study revealed that 50 different types of purebreds and 33 types of crossbreeds had been involved in the attacks, the most common breeds being German shepherds, cocker spaniels, Rottweilers and golden retrievers....

...To summarize, there is no scientific data on which to base the conclusion that a breed-based ban is the answer to dealing effectively with the dangerous dog issue. Although such bans might comfort individuals who have had unpleasant experiences with particular breeds or who have heard of attacks by specific dog breeds in the media, the bans do not act to effectively regulate the behaviour of any breed or of dogs and their owners collectively....[/quote]

The Liberals ignored all Experts and refused to allow Bill Bruce (of Calgary) to testify.
He runs Animal Control in Calgary.That program is known as the Best in North America.
http://saveourdogs.net/category/successes/

The Liberals duped people and now Breed Specific Legislation is considered to be legal because it apparently doesn`t contravene the Charter.

That doesn`t mean it`s the right thing to do or that it works.(It doesn`t)
Don`t wait until they add more Breeds and similar dogs.(And they will!)

If people want to stop the slaughter of thousands of puppies and dogs,demand that Bill 132 be repealed.
(The dead ones are the lucky ones,the unlucky ones are sold to Research Facilities)
The OVMA estimated that 4000+ dogs would be killed each year in Toronto alone if Ontario`s experience was similar to Denver.

No decent person with morals can allow this to continue.
Those aren`t 'Pit Bulls' they`ve killed,those are mutts.
There are ~1500 of the 3 named Breeds in Ontario.
Only 1 Pure Breed has been swept up in this witch hunt.

Contact Info
Your MPP
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

The Premier` Website
https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp?Lang=EN

Don`t be snowed by their form letter response.
You know the truth now.

[BowWow]

Did I hear someone ask if the City of Toronto(with a LOT of help from the Gov`t of Ontario) could get even more insane and vindictive?

Yes they can.

City of Toronto has been trying to kill the VICTIM of an attacking dog for the last 3+ years.

Why you ask?
Because the VICTIM(mix Breed) has been tagged an Ontario 'pit bull' but the mix Breed dog that initiated the tussle just happens to have the RIGHT look.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/651909

Let`s hope the City doesn`t start trying to kill human victims just because they don`t happen to like their look or their RACE.

http://www.dapbt.org/research.htm

[quote]"Although they look different, dog breeds have no more scientific basis than do races among humans" (Dr. Serpell 2001).[/quote]

And apparently the City has won the right to appeal.

Boy Toronto must have a LOT of money to waste.

Everyone should bombard the Mayor with emails and phone calls.
Here`s the contact info for the Mayor and Councillors

http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp

Make them beg you to stop.

[BowWow]

I just heard about this case and I`m outraged(more than I was)

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_35356.aspx

Is a Liberal MPP going to suggest adding German Shepherds to the banned list?

Would Mayor Miller want to kill Boomer the victim if the GSD owner had been bitten in the fray?

Time to contact people.
http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp

https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp?Lang=EN