For the second year, pet lovers in Langdon and area can pick up holiday goodies for their four-legged friends at the Woofmas Pet Market, happening Dec. 1. “I wanted to bring something fun to our community for the dogs we all love, and wanted to give owners a chance at catching some memories of their dogs that will last a lifetime with the photographer we work with,” said Chantelle Mackney, president and found of Justice for Bullies. “Not everyone can attend the Christmas markets in the city, so I decided to bring it to them. I live here and work with numerous dogs from this area, so it made sense to host the event where I live.” Mackney founded Justice for Bullies in December 2014 to advocate against breed-specific legislation (BSL). Justice for Bullies refers to legislation that has been enacted to restrict ownership of pitbull or pitbull-type dogs. The organization now boasts more than 60,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram who, Mackney said, “come together to encourage and demonstrate responsible dog ownership, while promoting breed-neutral bylaws and free dog-bite-prevention programs.” BSL can take many forms, she said, depending on the community. Usually, it includes some sort of ban, regulation or restriction about a specific breed or breeds. According to Mackney, BSL has a number of flaws. “BSL presumes that a breed, or breeds resembling this breed, are inherently dangerous,” she said. “BSL punishes responsible dog owners and dogs based off of their appearance, instead of the individual actions of each dog. BSL is expensive, ineffective and provides a false sense of public safety. “Chestermere had BSL and my dog was required to be muzzled, for no reason other than the way he looked, just to be in the vehicle or to go to the pet store.” Mackney presented Chestermere City council with alternatives to BSL at a meeting in March 2015. “The solution was simple – a responsible dog-ownership bylaw that was breed-neutral,” she said. “After a successful delegation, history was made on June 1, 2015, when BSL was repealed [in Chestermere].” Justice for Bullies’ free dog-bite-prevention program is offered in both Alberta and British Columbia. Since March, Mackney said, more than 500 children have received information teaching them how to safely interact with dogs. “Indus Preschool, Indus School, Langdon School, Chestermere Synergy and numerous local groups, such as preschools and Brownies, have attended our dog-bite-prevention program,” she said. The Woofmas Pet Market is free to attend. Vendors include Dash’s Pet Boutique, Designer Mutts by Laura and Pajamas for Pitbulls. Last year’s event attracted approximately 400 visitors, according to Mackney. The market is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 1, and takes place at 344 Centre Street N.E. in Langdon.
