Sarnia is bottom of my list of places I would live!

There is an article in the Sarnia Observer today.

I want to make 2 comments about this situation and quotes from the article.

First off, congrats Korinn Seabrook on getting your dogs back.

Maddi and Carter (puppies) and their father, all three boxer mixes, were seized by city animal control officers in early September. We are now into March. That is 6 - 7 months Korinn has been without her dogs.

The statement below is from city manager Lloyd Fennell.

City manager Lloyd Fennell said he's happy to see the situation resolved. It's unfortunate it took so much time, but he thinks all parties agree the right decision was made.
"Getting it right when you're dealing with someone's pet, and the protection of the public, is the ultimate thing."
The dogs must be spayed or neutered and registered with the city before they can be released. The city will review its animal control policies and from now on will consult an expert before it decides to euthanize an dog of questionable breed, Fennell said. Animal control staff were just enforcing provincial law when they seized the dogs, he said.

I wouldn't put it as a mistake," he said. "Animal control staff are vigilant about what they perceive as similar characteristics. For those that aren't actual breeders it probably isn't an exact science."

Lloyd, you were doing well up until your last statement. Now I have returned to thinking you are a douchebag!

Of course it was a mistake! What I assume you are saying is this and if I'm wrong prove me wrong:

1. You believe there is such a thing as a "pitbull". That is absolutely FALSE!

2. There is a threat that the public must be protected from, based on dangerous dogs classified by breeds or "non-breeds" in this situation. That is absolutely FALSE!

3. You believe that breeders or anyone else for that matter can correctly identify the lineage of mutts. That is absolutely FALSE!

3. If you can read at all, DOLA uses the word "MAY".
From DOLA:
Same
(1.1) A proceeding may be commenced in the Ontario Court of Justice against a person if it is alleged that the person contravened a provision of this Act or the regulations or a court order made under this Act. 2005, c. 2, s. 1 (6).

So what that means is you may use DOLA but you are not obligated to murder any dog you find on the street (that ac perceives to be a "pitbull") or while our trolling that isn't an actual danger to society. Two of these dogs were puppies for shit's sake! They got loose. It happens. That hardly qualifies as public enemy #1!

There is nothing vigilant, or valiant or any other description of how Sarnia's animal control department is conducting themselves. Their job, as in all jurisdictions is to catch loose dogs, enforce dog licenses, investigate irresponsible dog owners that are causing a problem and collect a paycheck. They are not Elmer the Safety Elephant or Super Heros that are dramatically saving the public in Sarnia from supposed rogue "pitbulls".

I could do a quick check for you and see how many purebred banned dogs there are in Sarnia. You may have ZERO! There are only less than 1500 in the whole province so odds are you don't have any. If you really put your thinking cap on and do the arithmetic, you will even come to the realization that the most common mutt (the short haired mutt) walking around any town Ontario is not likely mixes derived from any of the three named banned breeds at all. How could they be. They would be some awfully busy breeding dogs.. don't yathink?

Also, while I'm at it, does the city of Sarnia have a mandatory s/n bylaw? Just wondering why Korinn Seabrook must s/n her dogs as a condition of getting them back? Or does the council also buy into the BS that unaltered dogs are dangerous? That is also absolutely FALSE! They are simply still able to breed. It isn't against the law to breed mutts, frowned on maybe? But people are purposely breeding cock-a-poos, lab-a-doos and what-have-you's and getting good money for them. Nobody is forcing them to stop?

Dogs that are trained, contained and socialized are good canine citizens. This has NOTHING to do with breed, reproductive status or looks. It has everything to do with responsible owners and thoughtful bylaws such as the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw in Calgary. There is nothing stopping municipalities in Ontario from adopting Calgary's bylaw and implementing something that actually works instead of senselessly targeting and killing innocent dogs!

Here is the article from the Sarnia Observer.

Three dogs mistakenly believed to be pit bulls, and sentenced to death by the city, will be set free this week.Puppies Maddi and Carter and their father, all three boxer mixes, were seized by city animal control officers in early September. According to a provincial law, any dog resembling a Staff ordshire bull terrier must be destroyed because the breed is banned. Maddi's owner, Korinn Seabrook said she's relieved her dog is coming home. "I'm beyond happy," she said. "I just wish that we didn't have to go through all of this."

Maddi escaped Seabrook's home through a broken screen door and was found by animal control running loose. When Seabrook went to the shelter to retrieve the animal she was told it would be euthanized. But, thanks to the intervention of two experts, who both agreed the dogs were not pit bulls, the pups will go free.
Seabrook will still have to pay over $600 in kennel, medical and licensing fees to get her dog back. That is deeply frustrating, she said. "They just kept trying to find a way to win," she said, of city staff . "Well, guess what, you win. I'm paying the money because I want my dog back."

Seabrook said she was amazed at the support from the community during the ordeal. She said without it they might have lost their dogs. "I'm glad there were people who stood behind us," she said. "They supported us and thankfully things are better."

City manager Lloyd Fennell said he's happy to see the situation resolved. It's unfortunate it took so much time, but he thinks all parties agree the right decision was made.  "Getting it right when you're dealing with someone's pet, and the protection of the public, is the ultimate thing.

The dogs must be spayed or neutered and registered with the city before they can be released. The city will review its animal control policies and from now on will consult an expert before it decides to euthanize an dog of questionable breed, Fennell said. Animal control staff were just enforcing provincial law when they seized the dogs, he said.

"I wouldn't put it as a mistake," he said. "Animal control staff are vigilant about what they perceive as similar characteristics. For those that aren't actual breeders it probably isn't an exact science."