The Calgary Model is a world-leading approach to keeping people safe from animals and animals safe from people. This inter-agency model relies on close cooperation between the bylaw services within Calgary police and Calgary Humane Society. 

 

Brad Nichols is director of enforcement and vice executive director of the Calgary Humane Society. As a calm and sensible – and perhaps typically Canadian – spokesperson, Brad talks about the model’s onus on owner responsibility and his objection to breed-specific legislation.

 

He says: “My position is the same as my organisation’s, and that is we oppose breed-specific legislation. It doesn’t work because it’s not effective. Ultimately, if those breeds are banned, there are other types of dogs out there that have the potential to bite and cause injury.

 

“It’s been cyclical over the decades, what type of animal is being featured in these fear-mongering type tactics.”

 

We also chat about how the mode’s collaboration came up and how the two agencies are achieving court victories to ensure animal protection laws are upheld. We also talk about the increased pet abandonment situation since the end of the pandemic, and Brad talks candidly about the reactions he sees from owners. 

 

Listen to this episode and the following with Brad’s counterpart, chief bylaw officer Ryan Plekaitis, for part two on the Calgary Model. 

 

Find The Dog Manifesto podcast series on your favourite podcast platform or download this episode directly here.