Demo on Parliament Hill and more
 

I am passing this information along to anyone in the Ottawa area. However, they are asking for people everywhere to keep up the pressure on the MP's.
NCCPD (National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs) website is: [url]http://www.nccpd.org[/url]

November 5, 2004
information Bulletin No. 2004-02

bill 132 – update

Michael Bryant, Attorney General has moved for second reading of Bill 132 and opened debate. Anyone wishing to read the transcript of the debate can find it at [url]http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardeissue/38-1/l084.htm[/url] at para. 1600. Debate will continue on November 15th. Bryant has promised that public hearings will be held.

As mentioned previously, Bill 132 is a seriously flawed piece of legislation and it is essential that we take every measure to ensure that it is defeated. Clearly, we must deal with the issue of all dangerous dogs but there are more effective measures that can be implemented.

After meeting with other organizations and individuals at a NOAH meeting on November 1, 2004, the NCCPD has decided to take action in accordance with the following:

1. The NCCPD is organizing a peaceful demonstration to take place on November 28, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The theme of this symbolic walk is “BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE”.

The walk will start at Provincial Court House at 161 Elgin Street, proceed to Parliament Hill and then on to the Supreme Court of Canada. We will have several speakers and participants will receive information on the ramifications of Bill 132 and planned challenges by the Dog Legislation Council of Canada if the legislation is passed. We want to make demonstration a huge success and send a message to the Government that the legislation is unacceptable. A copy of the demonstration flyer is on the NCCPD website and can be downloaded. Please help to spread the word about this event by passing the information on to your friends, relatives, and those on your e-mail lists. If you are out of town but within driving distance, see if you can organize a bus trip to Ottawa.

Remember parking is free everywhere downtown on Sundays. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG(S) AT HOME.

PLEASE MARK NOVEMBER 28TH ON YOUR CALENDAR.

THIS LEGISLATION THREATENS ALL DOG OWNERS.

2. The NCCPD will launch a mass e-mail campaign. Every few days, the NCCPD will select on or two MPPs and send an e-mail to the members and supporters providing the names and e-mail address of the MPPs to be targetted. We will also provide sample text which can cut, pasted and sent in an e-mail to the selected MPPs. People may also opt to provide their own message or comments. We will ask everyone to cross post and disseminate widely.

We have been told by a reliable source that the MPPs are divided on Bill 132 and that many are nervous about the ramifications of passing this legislation, particularly those with political aspirations. In addition, we have been advised that if sufficient pressure is applied on the MPPs, including those in the Conservative and NDP parties, this legislation can be stopped.

The NCCPD believes that it is essential to take the above action to demonstrate to the Ontario Government that it is unacceptable. We believe that there are better alternatives to deal with dangerous dogs, including those proposed by the National Companion Animal Coalition, see copy posted on the NCCPD website.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED – PLEASE HELP!

The organization of a demonstration is a huge undertaking and we need your help in several areas as follows:

1. Walk Marshals: These are volunteers that help ensure that the participants are walking where they should. They will also provide information or assistance to the participants if needed. The City of Ottawa is providing police assistance to direct traffic and implement road closures if the turnout is high.

2. Logistics: We will be setting up tents, tables and a public address system at the Supreme Court Building on Wellington. We will need people to help set up and tear down. Tippet Richardson has donated a truck to transport everything.

3. General: We will need people to hand out information, get signatures on a petition, accept donations, etc.

OTHER ACTIONS

There are two MPPs that have put polls on their respective websites seeking views about breed banning. Please visit these websites and register your opinion.

1. John Yakabuski, at [url]http://www.johnyakabuski.com/survey/poll.asp[/url]. When last checked there were 1875 registered votes with approximately 78% voting against the ban and support more owner responsibility.

2. Bob Runciman, acting leader of the opposition has a poll at [url]http://www.lgprovpc.ca/[/url]. Scroll down to the bottom left and register your opinion.

RAMIFICATIONS OF BILL 132

The following was sent in a previous e-mail but it warrants repeating. The legislation goes beyond banning breeds.

1. It broadens police powers so that, with or without a warrant, police may enter a person's home on hearsay or a complaint from a neighbour and seize a dog, regardless of breed.

2. The legislation fails to include "with provocation" as part of the criteria for determining if a dog's behaviour was inappropriate, regardless of breed. The owner is left with only the defense of having exercised due diligence should an incident occur. Subsequently, a criminal could conceivably break into your home and if your dog defends you or the property, you could be fined. A fine of up to $10, 000 is being considered.

3. You may be fined if your dog is accused of menacing behaviour. Menacing behaviour could merely be a dog barking and bobbing along its fence line. There is no definition for menacing behaviour in this Bill.

4. Section 19 states that it is incumbent upon the owner to prove the lineage of his/her dog. There is no means for an owner to prove that dog of an unknown breed mix is a certain breed mix. This would be subjective at best, require the owner to hire a veterinarian to appear in court, something veterinarians do not have the time to do, and then hope that the testimony given by that veterinarian is better than the testimony heard from the Crown's expert witness.

5. If you read between the lines, Mr. Bryant's "solution" for the volume of restricted dogs that would be surrendered to local animal control facilities is to broaden the scope of the Animal Research Act.

6. Mr. Bryant's Bill C-132 discriminates against responsible pet owners in this province.

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