A way to let the leaders of Ontario political parties hear you

[Saradog]

From Wag the Dog, the official blog of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada...

http://wagthedog.blogware.com/
http://wagthedog.blogware.com/blog/_...9/3218865.html

WANT TO HELP? SHORT OF TIME AND MONEY?
by Selma Mulvey on Sun 09 Sep 2007 05:48 PM EDT

Here's something that will take all of ten seconds to do.

The following letter will be sent to all party leaders in the near future, before the Ontario provincial election, October 10.

If you agree with what it says, please follow the instructions and send in your info along with any comments you'd like to include.

Your personal information will NOT be used for any purpose other than for sending in with the letter, much as we'd like to chase you down to join the DLCC!

Please take a moment to do this for us, your support is urgently needed!

-------------------------

TO:

The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

The Honourable John Tory, Leader of the Official Opposition

The Honourable Howard Hampton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Ontario

RE: BANNING DOG OWNERSHIP IN ONTARIO

The amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) and the amended Animals for Research Act (2005) are extremely punitive pieces of legislation that turn law-abiding Ontario residents into second-class citizens because of the type and appearance of dog they own, regardless of their personal responsibility or their dog's temperament or behaviour. This is unacceptable.

Dog behaviour is a result of upbringing, training and treatment. The vast majority of dogs of ALL types, including those restricted in Ontario, are not now and never will be dangerous. Nor are isolated incidents of dangerous behaviour unique to any particular breed or perceived breed. Abuse and neglect can and do result in dangerous behaviour in ANY type of dog. The shape of the animal is irrelevant.

Reasonable legislation makes owners strictly liable for the actions of their animals, and does NOT punish law-abiding Canadians for acts neither they nor their animals have committed. Reasonable legislation is easily understood, easily enforced and fiscally responsible.

The undersigned citizens of Ontario take this issue seriously and are watching candidates closely to see that they have made an effort to understand this issue.

Dog owners will support candidates who will protect the rights of ALL citizens by promising to work to amend this legislation, including removing the breed-specific portions and supporting rational, effective and fair Responsible Pet Ownership legislation in the Province of Ontario.

_________

NAME + ADDRESS (must be Ontario resident of voting age) + PHONE NUMBER
To this email address:

bsl @ shawlein.com (with no spaces, not linked to reduce spam)

All names will be compiled and forwarded to all three party leaders, with the above letter.

For more information on Ontario's Amended Dog Owners' Liability Act and other legislation affecting dog owners in Canada, go to:

http://www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org
Please delete all previous forwarded addresses before sending.