More New on the Ban.

[pitbulliest]

Ban on pit bulls being considered by Ont has national implications:
breeders
By JOHN COTTER


EDMONTON (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 Monday. 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 is also 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 has already
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 were
originally 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.

"The Canadian Kennel Club is concerned that a breed ban of any kind
may result in an unfair ripple effect endangering any number of
recognized breeds of purebred dogs," wrote club spokesman Sonny
Allinson, who went on to quote from the club's vicious dog policy.

The club's opposition is "based on the fact that a dangerous
temperament is a product of many factors, and not by breed alone."

Meanwhile, some opponents of Ontario's plan are preparing to pounce on
the issue.

A group called Advocates for the Underdog hopes to quash a new bylaw
in Windsor, Ont., to ban pit bulls, and says it may file legal action
against the Ontario government if it passes a breed-specific,
provincewide ban, said Anik Morrow, the group's lawyer.

"If any legislation is passed in November, certainly we are going to
be taking a close look at the legislation to see whether or not we
will be challenging it," she said from Toronto.

The group also plans to lobby governments across Canada.

"The hope is to unify all the voices across the country with the view
of delivering a very clear message to the various governments."

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2...655827-cp.html

[mastifflover]

Excellent having support form the other provinces can only help this cause. Glad to read some uplifitng news about the ban in the last day or two

[sammiec]

Edmonton already has breed specific requirements for pit bulls. They have to be muzzled while off private property...but it's good that owners have stepped up.

[Luvmypit]

If you want to protest here is a petition started by the Toronto Humane Society and will be eventually sent to Michael Bryant. Please take the time to sign!!!!! http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_pe....cgi?newban2&1

Or you can go directly to www.torontohumanesociety.com and getthe link from there.

[glasslass]

Is the sign-up only for Canadians?

[Luvmypit]

Its for a ban in Ontario but your more then welcome to sign it.

[pug lover]

too late to signe now thats bad news for the pits. of ontario.