Day one and the Nightmare begins

[Me and Kayla]

I took Kayla for a long walk along Queen St. through the beaches today. She was actually quite good with the muzzle. She got it off about 3 times, but didn't kick up a fuss when I put it back on. A lot of people stopped and talked to us, giving us support for our poor babies. Some were actually appaulled at her having to wear that thing.

I did have a scary moment though. A guy was dog-walking 7 dogs altogether along Queen St. When we tried to pass, 4 of the dogs lunged, barking and baring teeth at Kayla. Two were Labs and 2 were Rotties (about 100 lbs each). Thank goodness the guy had a tight grip on them. I don't know how he was able to manage them all lunging at the same time, but he did. There was absolutely no reason for those dogs to go after her. She was being totally non-threatening. I personally think the muzzle got the dogs going. She would have been road kill if those dogs had gotten loose.

I don't think I really absorbed how totally defenseless Kayla will be if she is ever attacked, until today. I am seriously considering carrying some kind of a spray to help ward off other dogs that might come after her. I have come to the realization that instead of her defending me from an attack, it's going to be me defending her.

Me and Kayla

[twodogsandacat]

Walking seven dogs at one time is now illegal in Toronto if that person is a professional dog walker. It was snuck in by Toronto while some professional dog walkers were too busy giving 'expert' testimony at the Bill 132 hearings. They didn't like that it was done without hearing from 'experts'. Go figure.

I certainly don't have it in for dog walkers (English Nannies for Dogs excepted) and I don't believe that this person actually permitted this or meant for it to happen and I usally forgive the first infraction (or two) but if it becomes a problem.......report it.

I have also considered the spray but I usally walk wearing boots and I will plant one of those where needed if needed. So far it hasn't been needed but I have brushed a dog away with my foot.

With the act fully in place the next time the Jack Russel comes running down the drive way I may well hand the owner a copy of the act with the 'menacing' comments highlighted.

Good luck to you and glad to hear you are getting support. I stand with you and this law will be overturned.

[Conners]

I'm glad that guy had a grip of those dogs my dogs and Kala and I can imagine how scared you were. Not good for Day one! :sad:
The muzzles are going to cause a problem because I've had two incidences prior to today. One was another dog had the muzzle on and it scared Shasta. She growled at the muzzle as she knew the dog, but then the same happened in reverse. She had the muzzle on and when she got growled at, she went into a panic feeling totally defenseless. I quickly removed it and the two dogs licked each other.
Hopefully, as with anything else, the muzzles will look second nature to them, but for now, I'm not too sure.

[Lissa]

I am so sorry that all you responsible pit bull owners and your innocent pups are having to go through this :sad: !

Today at the dog park, I lady scooped up her 3 year old son and hysterically asked "Is THAT a pit bull!" and pointed to a very friendly boxer ! Then, at the pet store, a man stayed in the car with his 2 pit bulls while his girlfriend took their JRT inside and a passerby demanded that they be muzzled - I can't believe what this is coming down to :sad: !

I am sorry that this nightmare is your reality.

[gottahavepets]

Is this the Bull***** law or what. Banning breeds won't stop dogs from being vicious. Banning irresponsible owners might be a step in the right direction. ME AND KAYLA hang in there, this has got to end soon as they pull their heads from their *sses and realize it is wrong. Stay tough, you'll get thru.

[Conners]

I heard that it would take Clayton Ruby approx. 7 or 8 months from Sept. 29th before the first court date. I WISH we knew what was going on! All I know is if I was a gambling man (woman), I'd place all my $$$ on Clayton Ruby over Michael Bryant any day.
Meanwhile, we just have to try to keep our dogs as socialised with other dogs as much as possible and take the hard punches from the stupid people that don't know what they are talking about. Thank heaven there's a lot more positive people out there than the lame brains that you couldn't talk to if you tried.
Believe me when that woman said that my dog should be shot, it wasn't the easiest not to say anything, but it would only be wasting words on people who can't see the wonderful nature for the breed...and don't even know what the breeds are.
I'm trying to think of it like a recovery. When my neck was broken, the surgeon said it would take about 6 months to recover. So, I looked as each day as one day closer to recovery even when the pain was unbarible.
Well that's what I'm going to try to do here too with Clayton Ruby ending all the pain in the end. Sounds easier than done, but to think one day closer a day at a time is the only way I think I can get through this.

[Me and Kayla]

Well, day two was a little bit better. No harassment from other dogs or people, however, Kayla did manage to crawl under a bush and while yanking on the leash to get her out from there, she managed to get out of her harness and flip her muzzle off. She didn't figure out that she was 'free' right away, and it gave me that 3 second delay to hurl myself on top of her and wrestle her back into the harness and muzzle. Taking her for a walk is becoming a wild adventure.

All kidding aside, what the hell is this all coming to? Neighbours being encouraged to 'report' neighbours. Responsible dog owners being forced to carry 'weapons' for self defense for their dogs. Walking our dogs and looking over our shoulders at the same time. Scared silly because my poor dog might slip out the front door when one of my guests is leaving, and knowing that it could mean her 'death' if she is caught by someone other than myself. Afraid to let the leash extender out a little so that she can poo and pee. (she doesn't like to do it near anyone). Realizing that because I have a Pitbull, my dog owner expenses are going to balloon, or worried that any altercation with another animal regardless of whose fault it is, could result in a fine that could feasibly loose me my house, my dog and my ability to earn an income (if I end up in jail)...etc. etc.

Hard to believe that I once used to promote Toronto as the best city in the world to live in.

Michael Bryant, you are one useless piece of..........(fill in the blank)

Kayla and her disgusted owner

[Conners]

You sound like your dog must still be young to still slip out when given the first opportunity. I'm glad Shasta is past that now. Before all this I took her out every nite around 9 PM and we had abut an hour to 1/2 hour of playtime where we just played. She never lift the boundaries of the property even if people or a dog walked by. But once I had to stop that, I soon had a rum away dog whenever my grand kids came over and opened the door. nturally, I'd be frantic and sometimes chasing her in the tinest of a nighty. Scared and embarrest at the same time.
Lucky for me, my neighbours all loved her and she'd go to them no problem, then hold her until I came to get her. I'd scold her and send her to the corner and finally she has outgrown that. *whew*
What kind of a muzzle to do you that she can slip out of it? I got Shasta the comfort muzzle, but I'm going to get her the 'Hannabel Lector' type kind only because John Wade said they are the most humane. All those temporary snout kind are for no longer than 20 minutes and they can cause breathing problems in the future. I don't want her to have to wear it, but at the same time, her life to me is more important than anything else. I'm sure with it on I'll get a lot more vicious remarks, but us owners will have to have some good come backs. One woman said (and I might not have this totally right), but when something was said to her, she replied, 'My dog is nothing to worry about, it's the bitch at the end of the leash you should be aware of!'
It's a whole new ballgame as us and our dogs as targets. No more late walks for me and Shasta, which we loved, but now we could so easily be pry to the wrong type of person. The Act says we are alowed ou in public providing our dogs are muzzled and on short leashed. If harrassed or attacked, call the police. So your dog is laying there bleeding from being kicked to nearly death and you have a knife in your back, what do you do? Ask the attacker if you can borrow his cell to call 911? It's crazy and it's scarey.
I hope out of this, we can get some kind of restitution for the mental strain we are all going through. Between name calling and those open dirt looks of discust that we get given, it'd hard to take.
Neighbour issues, which I just am going through because my neighbour racked up my phone bill unknowingly with long distance calls, and although I'd try to get him to pay, I was scared to cause too much problems as if he can do that with my phone, who knows the lies he can tell on my dog? But last night I desided to be brave and bold in a firm and nice way. I managed to get a small part of it, but now because his wife told me something that slipped out, I can use that to my advantage if the do decide to lie about Shasta.
This is going to make us very wary about EVERYBODY and that's not my nature.
Already with health problems, disabilities and chronic anxiety I can see this has made my conditions worse.
Me and Karla, you have to try to find some great comebacks that people are using and posting on the web. I believe it was in Good Pooch I read them.
London has dropped the million dollar third part disability as it was IMPOSIBBLE TO GET. Thank God! They also lowered other fees from what they were proposing, so perhaps we might be able to ge have a somewhat good Christnas after all in comparison.
It's a sad day when we have to take this mental abuse because of the dogs we own, but the government, especially Michael Bryant will give us no sympathy as he wants them GONE! Our only hopr is Clyton Ruby and to vent our feeling to show we aren't alone on this.
I wish you well along with the othe pittie owners and I'm glad we have this forum to voice our concerns.
Who is it that takes our harrassments and are sending them to Clayton for our fight? I'll get back to you on that one. Until that one, try to stay strong.

[Me and Kayla]

Thanks for the words of support Connor. I realize that I am overly sensitive to all this right now, due to my personal fight to keep her.

As for Houdini (Kayla), there hasn't been a harness or muzzle made yet, that she can't wiggle or flip off her body. She has a slim body, silky fur and paws that she uses like hands. You wouldn't believe it until you've seen it. We have a new custom made harness on order, and a muzzle that we are modifying so that she can't get it off. As for her escapes out the front door...until now we have never worried, because she always just does a small 'freedom dash' around our townhouse complex and comes back, but now I go into a panic whenever anyone comes and goes from my house.

I agree Connor, this is about the 'mental anxiety' or anguish that ordinary, law abiding citizens are being put through to satisfy an egotistical politician with a personal agenda that has nothing to do with the safety of the people, but more with the number of votes on election day. (which I will be working against with every last ounce of energy I have)

Me and Kayla

[Conners]

To bad Clayton Ruby wouldn't fight for the stress and anxiety this is putting dog owners in.
It's funny, but as much as you get the good people that hug and pat your dogs saying how rediculous this ban is, it's the few that spoil it and frighten you half to death by the mean things that they openly say.
To me, I feel if I come down to their level, it would prove that they are right, yet, it's ok for them to be ignorant to us.
Government has got us so discriminated against and the hate that is being shown to us, that I will not be walking my dog at night anymore as then that's just setting yourself up as a victim to happen.
Our lives are being changed and altered so dramaticly and there's no manual how to handle the ignorance of these people.
But I'm going to continue taking Shasta out by day and keep her socialized. I know when I see a muzzled dog, I first ask the owner if it's alright to pat it and then when I do, I tell it how beautiful it is and naturally, I tell the owner that if they ever see me walking Shasta or other muzzled dogs, to please do the same. In my area, many people already know Shasta as I've always put necklaces, sunglasses or clothes on her and they think she's totally adorable. They are the same ones saying the government is wrong to muzzle all the pit bulls, PLUS many of them have friends or amilies that own pit bull and think they are wonderful. Happily, that's the majority. Keep that in mind Me and Kayla, and good luck to ALL the pittie owners and even the other dogs that the dog uneducated moron don't know one breed from another.

[gdamadg]

I had an episode tonight while walking Sprint. The neighborhood that I moved into, is fairly remote and some dark streets. We were walking and this couple with a "retriever type" dog (hard to tell in the dark), lunged at Sprint. And we were almost past them, so he turned around to keep an eye on the dog. Here is my dog, muzzled, on a short leash, at heal beside me, and whimpering cause he wanted to say hello and play. I didn't even think about it until I read this thread, that it has happened a lot lately. Even during the day. I am sure that it is the muzzle causing it.

All this going on, and my back is acting up again. Walking around like a constipated old man, lol. All it would take is for Sprint to turn to defend himself and pull me the wrong way and I would be on the ground. Until I am feeling better, I will be limiting our outings to walking around the back yard and walks at wierd hours, to limit the chances of running into people.

I hope that in time all this mass irrationality will be gone. But until then, we all have to be strong and proud of our lil ones. And stick together, building a wonderful community of "pitty" families.

[CyberKitten]

retardedness - I am sorry - could you please not use that offensive term. It is a very hurtful and derogitory term and I cringe every time I see it! I am quite certain intellectually disabled people would never treat your dog the way these ppl have so I would appreciate it if such a horrible term was not used.

I am not just trying to be pc - I speak up every time I hear or see someone using that kind of language. I am active in disability rights organizaions and the plight many disabled ppl face daily is noit unlike the discrimination faced by pitbulls and their people. So I do hope you understand my concern. Thanks!

[Saradog]

Please report all incidents of harassment because of your breed/type of dog to breedharassment @ rogers.com (without the spaces). Please give full details - who, what, when, where, what was said/done, your response.

Please report all incidents of human or dogs attacks on yourself or your dog to dogattacks @ rogers.com (without the spaces). Again, please give full details - who, what, when, where, details of any medical and/or veterinary treatment.

[Saradog]

And don't forget letters to the editors of newspapers in your city/town of residence. We must keep this in the public eye.

Rottie owners must be freaking. I haven't seen a single report of "pit bull bites" in a while, but at least two "rottie bites" articles. Sounds like they're being lined up to be the next "banned breed".

[Saradog]

Final post, I promise .

Please look at joining the Dog Legislation Council of Canada. It's only $20/year to join, the money goes to the legal challenge fund to fight Ontario's breed specific legislation, and it's gaining momentum as a voice for responsible dog owners. We need one LOUD voice composed of all our voices, rather than individual cries in the wilderness.

www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org

[gdamadg]

CyberKitten,

I appologize for the using that word and I will edit my original post to correct it. It was in no way meant to insult any individual or group.

[Luvmypit]

Well I also had an incident. I was walking my capone and he had his stupid goddang stank a$$ muzzle on. he was doing relatively good but had managed to take it off about ever 5 minutes. Didn't slam his head to the ground like he does if he has it on at home. So we approach this black dog he immediatly apon seeing capone laid down (sign of submission) and as we approached capone went to sniff him, non threatening, actually he was wagging his tail fast so i figured all was well. Ahhh no.... The dog lunged and nipped at least 3 times while barking. The owner looked as if he was startled to see his dog act that way. He apoligized and we went on our way.

So now should we not even let our dogs sniff other dogs in case they get attacked. And if they get attacked am I supposed to sit by and allow him to be attacked. And if I take off his muzzle so he can defend himself what will happen? I am just so angry right now. I knew I was angry before but after this incident and the fact that most of you reported the same thing. When I saw the OP I almost about died. I knew now it wasnt the other dog but the muzzle on my INNOCENT DOGS face.

[Dukieboy]

I think we actually do have to keep our dogs away from other dogs while they have thier muzzles on unless they are familiar. The muzzle does produce reactions by other dogs and will probably occassionally produce fear agression in our dogs. Think about it. If they don't know immediately they will eventually learn that thier ability to protect themselves is impeded by the muzzle. It only takes one or two bad experiences....

[Conners]

The DCLL is asking us to write these kind of things down to help our cause. The email addy is dogattacks@rogers.com and I wrote mine down. The more that respond the better it is for us and our dogs. Give Clayton Ruby more ammunition as to the injustice owners and their dogs are going through.

[Me and Kayla]

Day three. Kayla is starting to lose the fur on her snout. It's coming off in small patches. May be an allergy to the leather or from rubbing her face on the floor after the muzzle is removed, but either way, in about a week she is going to have a bald mouth and snout. Her lips are also swelling quite a bit and poking through the gaps in the muzzle.
*sigh*..

[Conners]

The poor thing. What kind of a muzzle are you using. I hate to do it, but I plan to go to the cage as it gives them the best freedom. The rest are pretty much for 20 minutes and temp. use.

[gdamadg]

I use the cage style on Sprint, but it has a felt lining that goes on the top of his snout. He has been wearing it since September and even now that he wears it all the time, I am not noticing any loss of fur. It may be on too tight, or if she is pushing the muzzle back into her face. Poor thing.

Did anyone see in the legislature about "doctors notes? lol.

[Me and Kayla]

Originally Posted by gdamadg

I use the cage style on Sprint, but it has a felt lining that goes on the top of his snout. He has been wearing it since September and even now that he wears it all the time, I am not noticing any loss of fur. It may be on too tight, or if she is pushing the muzzle back into her face. Poor thing.

Did anyone see in the legislature about "doctors notes? lol.

It's a Catch-22. If you put it on loose enough to make it more humane, then she flips it off in 2 secs. If I tighten it to make it more difficult to get off then it's touching the front of her snout. I'm not convinced that the muzzle is actually causing the problem. When I take the muzzle off after her walk, she goes through a 10 min. frenzie of rubbing her mouth and nose on anything she can find. It's comical to watch, but I think that is when she is doing the damage.

I'm going to try the cage muzzle again to see if that gives her more relief. Lining it with felt is a good idea too. I did that with her halti to stop her from cutting her lips trying to rub it off on the ground and that worked well.

Me and Kayla

[gdamadg]

You probably don't want to buy another muzzle, but this is where I got Sprints. It's based out of Grande Prairie, Alberta. I have ordered 3 from there so far. One for Sprint and then 2 more for my sister and her roomates dog.
Euro Imports

I couldn't find one that looked comfortable enough, so I ordered it online. After taxes and delivery, it worked out to around $45. It's shipped Canada Post Express Post, so you get it in about 3 days.

But with the weather changing, I am now looking for a plastic cage muzzle with similar design (ie: felt protection). My sister said she saw one in a little speciality pet store in Ottawa. I am hoping to go there this weekend. If I find one, I will find out the manufacturer and others can get it.

Oh yeah, Sprint does that little "rub-my-face" dance after a walk too. It is funny to watch, unless he is wet and decides that you are what he wants to rub on. lol.

[Me and Kayla]

Euro Imports

I checked out that site. I still don't see how that cage gives the dog room enough to drop his jaw and pant. That cage looks pretty snug to the bottom of the snout. The one I am using has about the same amount of space.

[Conners]

Now I understand why some people were getting them custom made for their dogs. The sizing just isn't right with the store bought ones and irratate our kids. I wonder who to go to and how much a custom one would cost? Anyone have any idea's in the London area?

[gdamadg]

That cage looks pretty snug to the bottom of the snout.

It actually isn't that bad. If it is sized right. Sprint can drink and eat with it on. It drops down at an angle. He can pant with it on. My concern was, most of the cage muzzles I saw in the store, just had the wire and leather straps. Nothing to pad the snout. These ones do.

[CyberKitten]

gdamadg , thank you so very much for your consideration! I really really appreciate it!!

And I am so sorry all of you have to go thru this with your dogs. It is just so unfair - has anyone read about the sutuation in Cincinnati where similar legislation was overturned - in part bec it cost the municipaliy so much money and really did not change anything - except penalize innocent dogs and their people!

[lezzpezz]

Originally Posted by Conners

Now I understand why some people were getting them custom made for their dogs. The sizing just isn't right with the store bought ones and irratate our kids. I wonder who to go to and how much a custom one would cost? Anyone have any idea's in the London area?

I was waiting for someone to ask this question! I went to the Big Bag pet supply store on Wharncliffe at Riverside, and asked the owner if he would be making these, as he makes custom leashes, collars, sled gear, pulling gear, all out of leather etc.

He said he wouldn't touch muzzles with a 10 foot pole, because of the possibility of a lawsuit if one of his muzzles broke, didn't work well etc. No way! I think you have to stick with a brand name muzzle here....

[Conners]

K...I just phoned there and he said they were the most safest and popular, although the dog will fight it for the first few weeks. He said keep it as positive as possible and get her used to it first, 'before' taking her out in public with it. He says they have the leather around it to protect the snout and best of all, they aren't even very expensive.
With a little imagination, with non-toxic lead free spray paint or some glitz and glitter, they may not have to look so bad. Make it into a positive attention topic. The nasty people will remain nasty no matter what, so nothing will change their views.
And most important, when out in public whether with or without your dog, don't forget if you see a muzzled pit bull, ask if you can pat it, and if yes, give it lots of lovin'. :love: