Add me to your friends list and show your support!As well, it never hurts to voice your opinion to those who are responsible for the pit bull ban in your area.In Ontario, you can contact our Attorney General, Michael Bryant at
[email protected]
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efinition of a ‘Pit Bull†(According to the Ontario Government)
(a) a pit bull terrier,
(b) a Staffordshire bull terrier,
(c) an American Staffordshire terrier,
(d) an American pit bull terrier,
(e) a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d); ("pit-bull"). (Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 2006)
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efining Breed Specific Legislation:
Breed Specific Legislation is the regulation of your right to own or, in many cases, NOT own a dog based solely on the breed or "type" of dog, not your responsibility as an owner. (Pit Bull Rescue Central, Inc., 2004)
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he Problems with BSL:
• It fails to reduce the occurance of these problems because it fails to address the root cause: people.
• It does not work because it is purely predjudicial in nature. Instead of punishing owners who are irresponsible and criminals who use dogs for illegal purposes, the legislation targets dogs for simply existing, and people's rights to own the breed of dog they so choose.
• It is largely based on misinformation and truth-twisting, its authors citing the "inherent viciousness" of certain dog breeds as plenty reason to outlaw even those dogs that have never acted in a criminal fashion.
• Bite statistics are also used as justification since "pit bulls" often top such lists. Of course, no breed is inherently vicious, and the accuracy of bite stats are suspect as best
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lternatives to Breed Specific Legislation:
1) Enforcement of generic dangerous dog laws, laws that hold owners accountable for the actions of their dogs regardless of breed.
2) Enforcement of leash laws. Fine people who do not obey these laws and use the money collected from these fines to fund community dog safety and responsible ownership programs.
3) Stop making excuses for animal cruelty, neglect, and irresponsible ownership. There needs to be huge fines for those involved in any inhumane or irresponsible activity with animals.
(The Real Pit Bull, 2004)
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ID YOU KNOW:• The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws.
(Pit Bull Fact VS Legend, 2001)• 'Pit bulls' are therapy and service dogs. They are also involved in search and rescue. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. APBT Weela was the Ken-L Ration's Dog Hero of the Year and is credited with rescuing over 30 people.
(Dog Watch, 2006)• It is reported on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society that Pit Bulls had a passing rate of 82% or better -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population.
(Pit Bull Lovers, 2006)• The “brain swelling†theory is a myth. This rumor started with the Doberman, and has since been said about game-bred dogs in general. The concept of an animal's brain swelling or growing too large and somehow causing the animal to "go crazy" is not based in truth in any way.
(Pit Bull Lovers, 2006)• The problem with 'pit bull' attacks is an ownership problem that will not go away if we ban 'pit bulls'. Politicians are distorting the truth and are ignoring all of the evidence that says the bad owners will simply switch to other breeds - and there are many for them to choose from that can be equally as dangerous as a 'pit bull'. Ontario needs strong dog laws that apply to all dogs equally.
(Dog Watch, 2006)_______________________________________________________
____Sources:Dog Watch, ‘Pit Bull Facts’, 2006. Accessed May 28, 2006 http://www.dogwatch.net/fight_ontario_ban/pit_bull_facts.htm
lOffice of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 2006. Accessed June 28, 2006 http://www.ontla.on.ca/documents/Bills/38_Parliament/Session
1/b132rep_e.htmPit Bull Fact VS Legend, 2001. Accessed June 19, 2006 http://www.austinlostpets.com/kidskorner/2October/pitbull.ht
mPit Bull Lovers, 2006. Accessed June 3, 2006 http://www.pitbulllovers.com/american-pit-bull-terrier-myths
.htmlPit Bull Rescue Central, Inc. 2004. Accessed June 28, 2006. http://www.pbrc.net/breedspecific.htmlThe Real Pit Bull, Promoting A Positive Image. 2004. Accessed June 24, 2006 http://www.realpitbull.com/laws.html________________________
___________________________________Some of the information on this page has been taken from other sources (see "Sources"). If for any reason you do not wish to be quoted or have your information displayed on this page please contact me and I will remove it immediately.
