Support Hershey's Bill
Our mission is to repeal breed-specific legislation in Ontario and replace it with fair, evidence-based laws that promote education, strengthen public safety, and respect responsible dog owners and their dogs.
LEADING POLITICAL DOG ADVOCACY IN ONTARIO
Hershey Anti-BSL Group is a grassroots association of dog owners and concerned citizens committed to repealing breed-specific legislation in Ontario. Since 2006, the group has worked through public education, political engagement, and the promotion of responsible dog ownership to advocate for fair and effective laws.
Hershey's group supports the City of Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw—widely regarded as the gold standard in North America. Known as the “Calgary Model,” this approach shifts the focus away from targeting specific breeds and instead holds owners accountable for their dogs’ behaviour. It treats pet ownership as a responsibility rather than a right and has been widely recognized for achieving high licensing compliance and reducing dog bite incidents without discriminating against particular breeds.
Over the years, Hershey Anti-BSL Group has organized and participated in numerous rallies throughout the Greater Toronto Area, raising awareness and educating the public on responsible pet ownership. Group administrators and supporters have also attended pet-related events and community gatherings to engage directly with the public and encourage involvement in advocacy efforts.
Our motto is simple: educate, not legislate.
Supporters are encouraged to download and distribute Hershey Anti-BSL Group's information and brochures within communities. Sharing this information at local dog parks, veterinary clinics, and pet-related businesses helps expand awareness and brings Ontario closer to ending breed-specific legislation.
Hershey Anti-BSL Group is not an animal rescue organization. Should you require the assistance of a rescue group in Ontario or looking to adopt, please contact https://www.ontariodogrescues.ca/ or https://www.dogtales.ca/ for more information.
HERSHEY’S STORY
One of the many stories which emerged from BSL in Ontario, is the story of Hershey. At the approximate age of 6 years, Hershey found herself at Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network where it was love at first sight for Jennifer Waite. Hershey had been an over-bred puppy mill mother, caged 24/7. Her jaw had been broken in two places with no veterinary intervention, and had been left to heal on its own. With Jennifer, Hershey went on to become a confident and healthy therapy dog in Halton Hills. Hershey received an award from Toronto Humane Society as Therapy Dog of the Year. Under the loving guidance of Jennifer, Hershey overcame her unfortunate beginnings, going on to be an award winning certified therapy dog with the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program in Ontario. After 2005, when BSL was legislated throughout the province of Ontario in 2005, Hershey was then legally required to be muzzled in public and had to stop her award winning therapy work. BSL forced his retirement from the therapy program, as Hershey could no longer perform his duties while muzzled. Sadly Hershey’s stellar record as a therapy dog and Jennifer’s experience as a dog owner, were not enough to protect them. Hershey passed away in March, 2009 but is not forgotten. Animal advocates named a number of Queens Park bills to remove all breed-specific language in the Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act in her honour.
Ontario Coalition Against BSL
Hershey Anti-BSL Group is a proud member of the Ontario Coalition Against BSL. We work with, participate with and support the coalition's efforts to end the Ontario breed ban.
Please visit the coalition's website for additional information and resources. Resources' include educational tips, stories of dogs seized, and video's that teach dog safety to young children.
https://ontariocoalitionagainstbsl.com/