THIS IS WHAT A TRUE EXPERT HAS TO SAY ABOUT BSL, BREEDS AND BEHAVIOUR

For your interest, I am posting the affidavit by Dr Karen Overall from the case against Denver by Dias et al.

Dr Overall is an accomplished person on many fronts but her expertise in canine behaviour and genetics is unparalleled.  She also writes in a compelling and clear manner, so is fun to read.

It's unfortunate that  most lawmakers who target dogs and their owners appear to know absolutely nothing about them.   They don't understand what breed means, how behaviour is conditioned, what is and is not heritable and so much more.  Everyone can't know everything, but that's what experts are for - to inform legislators so they don't inadvertently become a bigger threat to public safety than the bugaboos they purport to control.

As MPP Cheri di Novo (Parkdale-High Park) said the other day when we were at Queen's Park, BSL is like climate change.  Over 99% of all experts agree that climate change is real, and that we can do something to arrest it.  Over 99% of all experts agree that BSL is a complete failure and that there are better ways to create a culture of responsibility.  But media and others, including dishonest legislators, can always find someone, somewhere who will tell them what they want to hear, justifying their confirmation bias and making it look as though they are 'listening to both sides'.  With BSL, there is no other side, it's a loser no matter how you look at it.

These people are playing with other people's lives and should all be ashamed of themselves for trying to get ahead by inflicting tyranny on innocent people.

Anyway, enjoy the affidavit, it's a thing of beauty.

Dr Karen Overall on BSL