When Michael Bryant enacted Bill 132 (the pit bull ban) into D.O.L.A. (Dog Owners Liability Act) in 2005 responsible dog owners were targeted to become second class citizens in Ontario for no other reason then because of the size and looks of the family pet. How this could have happened in Canada still has many perplexed, but happen it did.  Since the first  protest rally, year after year, responsible dog owners and those who support them, have gathered at Queens Park to educate and bring about public awareness to this unjust, harsh, ineffective law.

In May 2010 MPP Cheri DiNova tabled  “Hershey’s Bill”  at Queens Park Bill 60  which, if passed, would have removed the breed-specific references in D.O.L A. and the Animals for Research Act in honour of Hershey, a registered therapy dog, who was forced into early retirement due to the discriminatory ban.  Supporters for repealing the pit bull ban attended from all over Ontario to rally beside her and applaud Cheri for standing up for ALL responsible dog owners, who believe that a civilized society does not tolerate discrimination against humans based on their physical characteristics. Why, then, should we tolerate it against other species.

Pit Bull Facts

“Pit bull” is, actually, a slang term used to describe a number of different dogs, none of which are inherently dangerous or vicious.

In fact, the American Temperament Test Society found the American Pit Bull Terrier to have a passing rate of 83.9 percent, compared to
an average of 77 percent for the general dog population.

Dog bites have NOT decreased since the ban was implemented.

Canine Profiling Doesn’t Work

Seizing, confining, and defending the Province’s right to kill innocent dogs is a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars. The senseless destruction
of “pit bulls” has done nothing to “make our streets safer,” as former attorney general Michael Bryant claimed it would. According to the National Canine Research Council, “Ontario officials dismissed, and continue to ignore, all data that disproves their claims, including the fact that only one
of Canada’s 45 fatal dog attacks (since 1964) has involved a dog identified to be a pit bull or pit-bull-type dog.”

In April 2010, the Toronto Humane Society (THS) released a report showing no significant reduction in dog bites since the implementation
of the ban in 2005. “Dogs are not born violent,” a THS press release reads, “but are made that way by irresponsible owners.”

Ontario Votes on October 6th, and every dog owner in Ontario and those who support them knowing the injustice of this ban, needs to make a stand NOW and be heard, or remain silent and oppressed for another four years.

How are you taking action in this upcoming election? Here are some suggestions!

• Volunteer
• Canvass
• Attend vigils
• Attend protests
• Invite your friends to attend requesting their support
• Write and call your MPP
• Organize your own “protest” in the area you reside
• Attend Candidates meetings & ask questions
• Participate in Town Hall events

If every dog owner in Ontario just took one specific action in attempting to right this terrible wrong, we can and will repeal the ban, and gain back our rights as full citizens in Ontario, but we must take action.

Now is the time to create change! …….and its up to us!

The facts are getting out there!

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1053251–what-cowtown-s-pound-can-teach-hogtown

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