mastifflover
November 26th, 2004, 02:08 PM
Dear Robin,
Thank you for your email to Tim Hudak, MPP for Erie-Lincoln regarding the McGuinty pit bull ban. As you may know, Tim is working hard on this issue. I have taken the liberty of forwarding you some news releases which show Tim's work.
If you require any further information, please contact our office at 905-994-1846.
Once again, thank you for emailing Tim Hudak, MPP.
Sincerely,
October 28, 2004
For Immediate Release
Liberals Introduce Dog Ban Legislation
McGuinty Plan to Ban Pets Bites: Hudak
QUEEN’S PARK – Shortly after announcing their plans to ban sushi from restaurants and gummi bears from the schools, the McGuinty Government has now turned its sites to banning pit bulls from the Province. Erie-Lincoln MPP Tim Hudak is amazed that the McGuinty Liberals have put the dog ban on the top of their public safety and security priority list.
“We have a major problem with biker gangs and the drug trade they increasingly control, with gun crime, and with a youth justice system that is a slap on the wrist,” said Hudak. “For the Liberals to put banning certain breeds of dogs at the top of the public safety list, shows they are all bark and no bite when it comes to effectively fighting crime.”
Breed specific legislation does not address the issue of reducing bites from vicious dogs. “When a dog bites an individual, punishment should lay on the negligent dog owner, no matter what the breed. All dogs have the capacity to bite and the dog owner must bear the responsibility,” added Hudak.
“If the McGuinty Liberals really want to take a bite out of crime, they should keep their promise to hire 1,000 more police officers,” said Hudak. “Fast tracking a dog ban and breaking a promise to hire 1,000 more police officers shows the McGuinty Liberals are all bark and no bite when it comes to fighting crime.”
In today’s announcement, the Attorney General has not confirmed if any funds will be made available to municipalities should this Bill become law. “The enforcement costs to hire Pit Bull Police will be downloaded to our municipalities. Despite their campaign promises to the contrary, the Liberals have not given proper attention to the financial burdens imposed upon municipalities of enforcing such a ban,” said Hudak.
There is evidence that Bryant may have been reluctant to meet with groups who are opposed to the breed specific dog ban. According to the Toronto Star, On September 15, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMC) wrote to Bryant to request a meeting. Follow up phone calls were made, but no reply was given until October 15 – the same day Bryant announced he was going to introduce the pit bull ban legislation.
In his letter, Bryant told the OVMC “Unfortunately my schedule does not permit me to meet with you at this time.”
“I feel that Minister Bryant has not fairly addressed this issue. It seems he is more interested in getting his face on television than listening to experts in the field,” said Hudak.
-30-
For additional information contact:
Tim Hudak, MPP
905-994-1846
Golden Horseshoe
American Pit Bull Terrier Club
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2004.
Breed Club Praises Hudak for Clear Thinking on Breed Ban
“A keen grasp of the central issues,” says President
Grimsby, ON—The Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club is praising Ontario MPP
Tim Hudak for his stance on Attorney General Michael Bryant’s proposal for a province-wide
ban on pit bulls. “It is very reassuring to see an elected representative resist the knee-jerk
reaction that has plagued the Attorney General. We hope that others will follow Mr. Hudak’s
lead and contribute some constructive solutions to the problem of dog attacks,” said Club
President Sandra Alway.
In a recent press release, Hudak blasted the McGuinty government, saying the Premier was
“barking up the wrong tree” on the breed ban issue. He also pointed out the difficulties inherent
in breed bans, like the potentially vicious dogs of other breeds missed by a ban, and the
problem of classifying mixed breeds. He also quoted officials from Ontario and American
Veterinary Medical Associations opposed to breed bans. “Mr. Hudak immediately displayed a
keen grasp of the central issues,” said Alway. “This was a marked contrast to the Pavlovian
response from the Attorney General. Mr. Bryant has made inflammatory comments that
demonstrate his lack of knowledge of the breed and dog behaviour in general.”
In a recent letter to the club, Hudak repeated his concern about the ban, and encouraged the
club to continue the fight to bring in positive solutions. “I spoke with him and mentioned the
success Calgary has had in licensing, enforcement and reducing aggressive dog incidents,“
stated Alway. “He was very enthusiastic, and expressed genuine interest in a solution for
everybody, where communities are safer and responsible owners are able to enjoy the breeds
they love. It was very refreshing.”
Alway stated that although Attorney General Bryant has recently suggested changes that target
irresponsible owners of all breeds, she finds it troubling that he continues to trumpet an outright
ban as an option. “Just when Mr. Bryant appears to be listening to dog owners, veterinarians,
humane societies, and safety groups that say breed bans aren’t the answer, he reverts back to
suggesting a province-wide ban. It is not helpful, because it detracts from serious debate about
real solutions,” said Alway.
“Though we still fear for the future of our beloved breed, we are grateful to Tim Hudak for
showing the foresight and common sense that is vital when formulating sound public policy. We
look forward to working with Mr. Hudak and others that are interested in bringing in fair
legislation that encourages responsible ownership of all breeds,” concluded Alway.
-30-
For further information please contact:
Sandra Alway, President
Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club
1-905-643-0005
www.goldenhorseshoeapbtc.com
Thank you for your email to Tim Hudak, MPP for Erie-Lincoln regarding the McGuinty pit bull ban. As you may know, Tim is working hard on this issue. I have taken the liberty of forwarding you some news releases which show Tim's work.
If you require any further information, please contact our office at 905-994-1846.
Once again, thank you for emailing Tim Hudak, MPP.
Sincerely,
October 28, 2004
For Immediate Release
Liberals Introduce Dog Ban Legislation
McGuinty Plan to Ban Pets Bites: Hudak
QUEEN’S PARK – Shortly after announcing their plans to ban sushi from restaurants and gummi bears from the schools, the McGuinty Government has now turned its sites to banning pit bulls from the Province. Erie-Lincoln MPP Tim Hudak is amazed that the McGuinty Liberals have put the dog ban on the top of their public safety and security priority list.
“We have a major problem with biker gangs and the drug trade they increasingly control, with gun crime, and with a youth justice system that is a slap on the wrist,” said Hudak. “For the Liberals to put banning certain breeds of dogs at the top of the public safety list, shows they are all bark and no bite when it comes to effectively fighting crime.”
Breed specific legislation does not address the issue of reducing bites from vicious dogs. “When a dog bites an individual, punishment should lay on the negligent dog owner, no matter what the breed. All dogs have the capacity to bite and the dog owner must bear the responsibility,” added Hudak.
“If the McGuinty Liberals really want to take a bite out of crime, they should keep their promise to hire 1,000 more police officers,” said Hudak. “Fast tracking a dog ban and breaking a promise to hire 1,000 more police officers shows the McGuinty Liberals are all bark and no bite when it comes to fighting crime.”
In today’s announcement, the Attorney General has not confirmed if any funds will be made available to municipalities should this Bill become law. “The enforcement costs to hire Pit Bull Police will be downloaded to our municipalities. Despite their campaign promises to the contrary, the Liberals have not given proper attention to the financial burdens imposed upon municipalities of enforcing such a ban,” said Hudak.
There is evidence that Bryant may have been reluctant to meet with groups who are opposed to the breed specific dog ban. According to the Toronto Star, On September 15, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMC) wrote to Bryant to request a meeting. Follow up phone calls were made, but no reply was given until October 15 – the same day Bryant announced he was going to introduce the pit bull ban legislation.
In his letter, Bryant told the OVMC “Unfortunately my schedule does not permit me to meet with you at this time.”
“I feel that Minister Bryant has not fairly addressed this issue. It seems he is more interested in getting his face on television than listening to experts in the field,” said Hudak.
-30-
For additional information contact:
Tim Hudak, MPP
905-994-1846
Golden Horseshoe
American Pit Bull Terrier Club
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2004.
Breed Club Praises Hudak for Clear Thinking on Breed Ban
“A keen grasp of the central issues,” says President
Grimsby, ON—The Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club is praising Ontario MPP
Tim Hudak for his stance on Attorney General Michael Bryant’s proposal for a province-wide
ban on pit bulls. “It is very reassuring to see an elected representative resist the knee-jerk
reaction that has plagued the Attorney General. We hope that others will follow Mr. Hudak’s
lead and contribute some constructive solutions to the problem of dog attacks,” said Club
President Sandra Alway.
In a recent press release, Hudak blasted the McGuinty government, saying the Premier was
“barking up the wrong tree” on the breed ban issue. He also pointed out the difficulties inherent
in breed bans, like the potentially vicious dogs of other breeds missed by a ban, and the
problem of classifying mixed breeds. He also quoted officials from Ontario and American
Veterinary Medical Associations opposed to breed bans. “Mr. Hudak immediately displayed a
keen grasp of the central issues,” said Alway. “This was a marked contrast to the Pavlovian
response from the Attorney General. Mr. Bryant has made inflammatory comments that
demonstrate his lack of knowledge of the breed and dog behaviour in general.”
In a recent letter to the club, Hudak repeated his concern about the ban, and encouraged the
club to continue the fight to bring in positive solutions. “I spoke with him and mentioned the
success Calgary has had in licensing, enforcement and reducing aggressive dog incidents,“
stated Alway. “He was very enthusiastic, and expressed genuine interest in a solution for
everybody, where communities are safer and responsible owners are able to enjoy the breeds
they love. It was very refreshing.”
Alway stated that although Attorney General Bryant has recently suggested changes that target
irresponsible owners of all breeds, she finds it troubling that he continues to trumpet an outright
ban as an option. “Just when Mr. Bryant appears to be listening to dog owners, veterinarians,
humane societies, and safety groups that say breed bans aren’t the answer, he reverts back to
suggesting a province-wide ban. It is not helpful, because it detracts from serious debate about
real solutions,” said Alway.
“Though we still fear for the future of our beloved breed, we are grateful to Tim Hudak for
showing the foresight and common sense that is vital when formulating sound public policy. We
look forward to working with Mr. Hudak and others that are interested in bringing in fair
legislation that encourages responsible ownership of all breeds,” concluded Alway.
-30-
For further information please contact:
Sandra Alway, President
Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club
1-905-643-0005
www.goldenhorseshoeapbtc.com