Well Albertans protested BSL & they don't have it -Yet.

[Akeeter]

I know one yelling match erupted over the topic of Protest, visable, rather than in e-mails, or writing, or by phone...I honestly think any anti BSL communication to M. Bryant are just being tossed out. 'Getting to the point that I think Ontario dog owners who are Not in favour of this, are going to have to do a bit more than write letters.
*************************

Fort Frances Times
Pit bull breeders protest proposed ban
October 05, 2004

(CP)

Dog owners across Canada should howl in anger against any move by Ontario to ban pit bulls, say the breed’s supporters.

About a dozen people—some with their pit bull pets on leashes—held a protest outside the Alberta legislature yesterday.

Supporters fear if Ontario brings in legislation banning pit bulls, other provinces are bound to follow—regardless of evidence that suggests irresponsible owners are responsible for dog attacks, said Brigitte Mann, president of the Canadian American Pit Bull Terrier Association.

“Any dog treated harshly or trained to attack may be aggressive and bite a person or another animal. Any dog can be turned into a dangerous weapon,” Mann said.

“Specific breeds of dogs are not to blame for the irresponsibility and idiocy of their owners.”

In late August, Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant began looking at banning pit bulls after a number of serious attacks, including one in which two dogs mauled a Toronto man.

Police had to fire 16 shots to kill the animals.

The province also is considering tougher penalties for owners of all dog breeds that attack, including jail time and heavy fines.

Greg Crone, Bryant’s spokesman, said the department already has received more than 5,000 e-mails from the public.

“The overwhelming response has been in favour of a ban, but no final decision has been made,” Crone said from Toronto. “Nothing will be presented until the legislature resumes in mid-October.

“Practically speaking, it will be later in the fall.”

Pit bulls were created by crossing a bull dog and a terrier. They originally were bred in the 19th century to fight other dogs in pits.

Some breeders say the animals are not inherently aggressive, and with proper training and socialization can make good pets.

Mann said she routinely allows her four young daughters to play around the 20 pit bulls she has on her rural property near Lacombe, Alta.—with adult supervision.

“Our children can take their bones, their food dishes right away from them,” she said. “I trust my seven-year-old to be outside with my 90-pound male Maximus.”

Instead of an outright ban, New Brunswick is considering bringing in tighter controls on specific breeds such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Japanese akitas.

The bill follows the mauling death last March of a four-year-old boy by three Rottweilers.

Groups such as the Canadian Kennel Club support vicious dog legislation, but oppose banning specific breeds.

The kennel club outlined its views in a recent letter to Bryant and the Ontario government.

[LavenderRott]

The bill follows the mauling death last March of a four-year-old boy by three Rottweilers

If I am not mistaken, this young boy was named James Waddell. Odd, the inquest recommendations for this case mention nothing about stricter controls on certain breeds of dogs (not even rottweilers) or banning them either. What it does mention is education and holding dog owners of all breeds of dogs responsible for the actions of their dogs.

Hmmm, the same thing was said at the inquest of Courtney Trempe.

Why is it that the Canadian politicians and the press are so quick to use these two children as poster children for BSL but NEVER mention the recommendations made at the inquests?

You would think that after the thousands of your tax dollars spent on those inquests, someone in the government would be smart enough to use them to make laws that make sense.

[sammiec]

Edmonton is much further along than Ontario with their fight towards BSL. What they have imposed already is what we are trying to fight at this stage. The Ontario province wide BSL will more then likey follow a muzzle bylaw...which they would have to enforce first.

ALBERTA
Edmonton:

Edmonton has a Restricted Dog' by-law. 'Restricted dog' breeds include only those dogs that a veterinarian licensed to practice in the province of Alberta has determined to be primarily either Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, but ONLY those that are ineligible for registration with the Canadian Kennel Club. 'Restricted dogs' must be muzzled when in public; enclosed or muzzled on private property; license fees and fines for these dogs are higher; and owners must have a minimum of $1,000,000 liability insurance covering their dogs.

Brooks:

Perfectly law-abiding owners will find their innocent dogs are 'Restricted' if they're one of the following breeds or mixes: American Pit Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers (the list also includes inaccurate breed names)

'Restricted' means these dogs must be in a secured enclosure on the owner's property or muzzled and on a permitted leash. They must be muzzled and on a permitted leash when off the owner's property.

Breeds that fall under the category of 'Prohibited Dogs' includes: Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Prohibited dogs are not permitted within the town's limits.


As for your comments Dinah :

I said that weeks ago and was met with opposition by some others on this board, which is strange. The squeakly wheel gets the grease. Bryant couldn't care less about emails - he doesn't even read them his staff probably just deletes them all without reading any of them

I had asked you what you have done to organize the protest that you're wanting to have and what you have done so far to fight the BSL. You said:

I have posted what I've done. In fact, I just 10 minutes ago emailed Bryant with yet another protestation.

But I thought that he couldn't care less about emails? By all means, if you think that people here have done nothing worthy of protesting this BSL, take the first step.

[LavenderRott]

I wouldn't take my dog anwhere near a large protest with lots of dogs present! She is a VERY stable dog and I don't doubt for a second that she would act like the perfect senior lady that she is BUT those kinds of crowds can be very stressful for dogs. All it would take would be one dog that decides it is tired of all the people and other dogs in it's face and you would have a media nightmare.

My mom has wonderful rescued greyhound that can't go to Meet and Greet's. She can't handle the stress of new places, so many new people and new dogs. She gets a bit snappy. Imagine a couple of dogs like that in a park full of pit bulls. The media (and Mr. Bryant) would be all over that like white on rice!

[sammiec]

THis is exactly the point that we tried to bring across in the last thread. I don't feel comfortable with bringing my dog out to a large heated (which it would be) protest.
You don't have to be a pit bull owner to get out there and protest against this BSL! If that's what you want to do.
I personally feel that having a protest for this nature would be very heated and some tempers might flare if those for the BSL showed up as well. I don't think this is the best way to show support for the breed. I think it would appear - to those that believe everything they read - like it was more of an intimidation attempt by having a large crowd of pit bulls at Queen's Park..

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

I wouldn't take my dog anwhere near a large protest with lots of dogs present! She is a VERY stable dog and I don't doubt for a second that she would act like the perfect senior lady that she is BUT those kinds of crowds can be very stressful for dogs. All it would take would be one dog that decides it is tired of all the people and other dogs in it's face and you would have a media nightmare.

[Spurby]

Originally Posted by Dinah

What I said was that I am surprised pitbull owners haven't descended on Queen's Park like locusts. Why is that???

I don't own a pitbull, but you can be d@mn sure if BSL is ever extended to chows I will be there front and centre - with both of my dogs. That's a promise.

Well well, why wait UNTIL or IF your breed is affected??

I believe everyone has already answered the very obvious reasons why a protest wouldn't work. It NEVER HAS, have you not seen how many protests end up like? The people actually involved in this fight are doing more than you will ever know-unless chows were involved? , which includes things way more productive than a protest- Make sense?? What have you been doing? Have you gotten the petition printed out and signatures signed?

[mastifflover]

A protest involving the animal would in my opinion would be irressponsible dog ownership. Subjecting your dog to a huge crowd of pissed off people is not somewhere I am going to voluntarily take my dog. I also do not own a pit but if we dont do anything to help this breed what makes you think the pit owners are going to want to help you when chows make the list. I own a Mastiff and they are going to be hit eventually and there breed has been brought up in a few articles that I have read. We are all I hope responsible owners and you would think want to help each other out. I have sent petitions around film sets and had almost an entire crew of 212 people sign it. By the way in that group there was only one pit owner who came to the office to thank me and ask about my pit. When I told him I don't own a pit he was blown away that I would take the time to fight a battle that did not affect me. I told him the same thing it affects us all. I try to educate people if they are willing to listen. Besides and email and griping at people what are you doing?


//[/IMG]

[mastifflover]

just moving it up again this is important to read

[sammiec]

Originally Posted by Dinah

Why are you arguing my point?? Pit bull owners don't HAVE to take their dogs to any protest and if THEY aren't organizing a loud, media covered, protest, why should I?? I have other things to worry about at this time and frankly, it isn't my fight. Yet.

Like I said, if BSL ever extends to chows that's when I'll pick up the fight. Until then if pitbull owners can't be bothered to be more in the public eye protesting BSL, those who don't own pitbulls shouldn't be expected to pick up the slack for them.

I rescent the fact that you will sit here and tell us how to go about OUR fight. As you said it's not your fight, and when it is, TRUST me I'll be there to tell you what you're doing is not good enough.

[sammiec]

Originally Posted by Dinah

I am amazed at your attitude! Go ahead and sign your petititons, mail them to Bryant for his round file. All I asked is why pitbull owners are protesting IN PUBLIC.

And don't worry, if any government ever brings in a BSL targetting chows I'll be welcoming your advice (when I'm not protesting publically) on how to fight it instead of condemning same.

Aren't you just a big bag of wits? So humourous, sorry if I don't laugh...

We told you what we thought about protesting publically... or did you forget to read that part...

[mastifflover]

Well I am sure that all the pit bull owners on here will be lining up to help you when it gets to chows. Since you are so willing to put down everything they do. It is your fight you have a breed of dog that can be aggressive and dont tell me I don't know what I am talking about because I have owned an asian breed and my brother owns an akita I have friends that have chows. Most asian breeds can be aggressive. Simple fact. But it is not your fight so why do you bother posting if you have better things to do. Than go do them and dont come whining when they get to your breed

[Akeeter]

Too many people, dogs. He is as steady as a rock but, what if the Police get called in as they have been before on protests? I don't think my dog would take me being wacked with a billy club by a stranger, or run over by a horse, as much as he likes horse on a friendly basis. I'm sure Bryant would like nothing better than to loose some police dogs on protestors dogs to see what happens. I'm sure he would Not do that to owners without their dogs.

Why not just Owners? After all, we are the voters, not the dogs. And if we choose to protest, it's our choice. (We didn't just get loaded up, leashed & brought there.)