The city of Brampton put a condition in the agreement that both dogs would be classified as "dangerous dogs" and have signs posting this on their property.
Remember, there were absolutely NO complaints or incidents prior to the seizure of both dogs by Animal Control. This was publicly stated by the city.
Why is it then that both dogs would be classified as "dangerous dogs"? Well the short answer is that Rui Branco fought the city for over 3 months, spent the first 2 months with no access to either dog. After March, the owners were allowed one visit per week, only one person at a time. The Branco's watched while their dog lost weight, went through a bladder infection, and were not allowed to bring in their own vet to check on the condition of the dogs.
Would you agree to having your dogs classified as dangerous and having to muzzle them if it meant getting them back home? Well that was the choice facing the owners of Brittany and Rambo. As I stated two posts ago, this kind of bullshit is going on all over the province.
"Turn over your dog or it will be killed".
"Send your dog out of province or it will be killed".
"Your dog is a 'pitbull' so now you prove it isn't".
The Branco's were told they would have their dog back in one hour, but they needed to turn her over to them so they could identify she was not a "pitbull" first. The police and animal control broke down the Branco's door and took Brittany, a mild mannered and friendly dog, away in a catch pole. The owners were hysterical with confusion and fear.
Well, that hour turned into a $20,000 fight and nearly 3 1/2 months later. The stress and terror these families went through is downright outrageous! That is simply why the city of Brampton should have a DANGEROUS sign on the front door of City Hall. The dog owners and dogs of Brampton are in serious danger at the hands of the city.
Shortly after the seizure of Brittany, animal control came to the home of Mrs Gaspar, demanding she hand over her dog Rambo for destruction. She was informed that Rambo's sister was taken at gunpoint from the Branco family and Joseph Branco was on his way to jail. She was told the same would happen to her if she didn't comply. Mrs. Gaspar speaks little English and is an elderly woman on a pension. She was unaware she was targeted by this law and didn't know her rights.
Here is the article from the Brampton Guardian, who I would like to personally thank for the great coverage. The Guardian stated the facts, which is more than other MSM establishments can say. For that, I thank you.
Dogs freed, ruled not pitbulls
They’re free!
An independent veterinarian has ruled Brittany and Rambo are not pitbulls, which means after 97 days in the pound, the two dogs are finally home.
Following an examination at the Brampton Animal Shelter Friday, the veterinarian issued a report Monday stating, based on his examination, neither dog is a pitbull as defined by the Dog Owners Liability Act.
“It’s a huge relief,” said Rui Branco, whose family owns Brittany.
They were released from the city’s Animal Shelter Monday.
Branco has fought a lengthy and costly battle with the City of Brampton. The Branco and Gaspar families have maintained all along that the dogs are not pitbulls, and even had their family veterinarians willing to testify to that effect.
However, Brampton Animal Control Officers ruled the two dogs were pitbulls, apparently based on what the family says was a city employee’s mistake years earlier. That mistake was made when a city Animal Control Officer identified the two dogs’ father, Tyson, as a pitbull.
Branco said, just like Brittany and Rambo, Tyson was not a pitbull, either, and the family was completely unaware that a city employee had designated him as one.
Also, Branco said, despite repeated requests, he has never seen the paperwork the city has said it has classifying Tyson as a pitbull. The family no longer owns Tyson, but they still own the mother, Jersey, a purebred boxer.
Brittany and Rambo were seized from separate homes Jan. 13.
There had been no complaints of running at large, aggression or biting. Brittany was seized when an Animal Control Officer went to the Branco home to renew a dog licence for Tyson and spotted her.
The Brancos complained that the city seized Brittany with the help of Peel Regional Police, but without a warrant. City officials maintained there was “exigent” circumstances surrounding the seizure of Brittany, giving them the right to seize without a warrant, but would not elaborate.
Brittany has been described as a very friendly dog by those who have come in contact with her, including the city’s own veterinarian who examined her early on.
After the dogs were seized, a city veterinarian was provided photographs of the animals and ruled they were pitbulls.
“I’ve never once doubted Brittany was not a pitbull, which is why from day one I fought this so hard,” Branco said. “If I truly believed I was guilty of breaking a law I would have shipped her off to save her life and in the process saved thousands of dollars.”
Branco has spent more than $20,000 in legal fees and just recently agreed to the independent vet’s examination in order to get the dogs back. If he had taken the city to court, he estimates it would have been many more months before the case could be heard, and thousands of dollars in addition. He was concerned about the dogs’ wellbeing because they were being held in the city pound for so long.
Despite the vet’s ruling, as part of the agreement with the city, the owners had to agree to allow the dogs to be designated “potentially dangerous” and they must wear muzzles when out in public.
Branco paid the $50 for a licence and picked up Brittany, but was shocked when he found out he would have to post a big red sign on his fence declaring a “dangerous dog” lives at the home.
“I have never seen anything like that in Brampton before,” Branco said.
So, if they don't get you one way, they'll be sure to make your life miserable. Talk about sore losers. I wonder how safe this family and their pets will be now that they have to place a bullseye on the front of their property, stating they have Dangerous Dogs, which is completely bogus. I wonder if this family can put up a bigger sign stating their dogs are NOT dangerous, but were forced to place this sign up to appease the City? Of course I can see their municiple by-law officer forcing to take down that sign along with some stiff fines.
ReplyDeleteThe bullseye is being put on my beautiful girl.
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