Can you spell E-X-T-O-R-T-I-O-N?

Brampton, you got some ssssplain'in to do...


So the merry-go-round of negotiations seem to be coming to an end for the owners of Brittany and Rambo in Brampton.


Both Brittany and Rambo have been held since January 13th, of this year.


To refresh your memory, here is a copy of the handouts we distributed at the All About Pets Show Easter weekend.


The Branco Family story..

The Victims

Rui, Ines & Joseph Branco and their beloved dog Brittany, a 1 1/2 year old Boxer-American Bulldog cross.

The Incident

On January 13, 2010, a City of Brampton Animal Control Officer came to the home of Rui, Ines and Joseph to collect a licensing fee for a dog that has not been in their home since 2008. The same dog, Tyson, is the father of Brittany. Upon seeing Brittany, the Officer stated that if Brittany was the progeny of Tyson, she would be put to death as he was licensed as a restricted “pit bull” and she was born after November 26, 2005. However, Veterinarians had identified Tyson as an American Bulldog-Boxer cross, and Brittany’s mother, also owned by the Branco’s, is a registered purebred Boxer. Veterinary medical records also identified Brittany as a Boxer-American Bulldog cross.

The Seizure

The Animal Control Officer dismissed all paperwork, and claimed that she would be seized and put to death. Six police cruisers and two additional Animal Control Officers arrived shortly at the Branco’s home to seize the docile dog that has no history of aggression or complaints. The police forced their way into the home without a warrant, damaging the home in the process. The City stated publicly there were no incidents leading to the seizure of Brittany.

Brittany was identified as an illegal dog in the Province of Ontario because her father, Tyson, was allegedly licensed as a restricted “pit bull”. Tyson became licensed as such when Rui’s brother, Joseph, moved from Caledon to Brampton and the same Animal Control Officer recorded him as a restricted “pit bull”, even though Joseph was completely unaware and Tyson had never been identified as such before. To date, the paperwork showing Tyson licensed as a "pitbull" has never been produced by the city of Brampton.

The Aftermath & Implications

Brittany has been held since January 13, 2010 at Brampton Animal Services. Veterinarians have identified her as a Boxer cross, although the City has disregarded this professional opinion. The Branco family was not permitted to visit Brittany until March, when the City of Brampton suddenly changed their tune, and allowed visitation.

The Future

The Branco family continues their fight with aid from the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, and support from the public. 

The Gaspar Family story...

The Victims

Mrs. Gaspar & Rambo, a 1 ½ year old Boxer-American Bulldog cross.

The Incident & Seizure

On January 13, 2010, a City of Brampton Animal Control Officer came to the home of Mrs. Gaspar, demanding she hand over her dog Rambo to the city for destruction. She was informed that Rambo’s sister Brittany was taken at Gunpoint from the Branco family, Joseph Branco was on his way to jail and the same would happen to her if she did not comply. Speaking little fluent English, and an elderly woman on pension, Mrs. Gaspar handed Rambo over. She was unaware that she would be affected by Breed Specific Legislation and what rights she had.

Rambo had no previous complaints, nor a history of any violence or aggression towards people or animals. They insisted Rambo is an illegal dog in the Province of Ontario because his father, Tyson, had been licensed as a restricted “pit bull” and because Rambo was born after November 26, 2005. However, veterinarian records had identified Tyson as an American Bulldog-Boxer cross, and Rambo’s mother is a registered purebred Boxer.

The Aftermath & Implications

Rambo has been held, along with his sister Brittany, since January 13, 2010 at Brampton Animal Services. Mrs. Gaspar was not permitted to visit Rambo until March, when the City of Brampton suddenly changed their tune, and allowed visitation. The city also denied access of a veterinarian on Mrs. Gaspar’s behalf.

The Future

Mrs. Gaspar continues to fight for her beloved dog with the support of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada and members of the public stretching across North America. Without the funds to fight the city in court, the Gaspar family is fortunate to have Rui Branco fighting for the release of both Brittany and Rambo.

There is an article in the Brampton Guardian today explaining the city of Brampton and the owners of Brittany and Rambo have reached an agreement.

City, dog owners reach settlement

One veterinarian will decide fate

Brittany, left, and Rambo, right. Brittany and Rambo will soon be free— either back home with their families, or out of province in a new adopted home. The City of Brampton and the dogs' owners have reached an agreement that will have an independent veterinarian examine the two dogs and decide, once and for all, if the mutts are pitbulls, or not.

An independent veterinarian will be brought in to settle the dispute between the City of Brampton and two local dog owners.
A veterinarian who has had no prior involvement in the dispute will make the final and deciding judgement call on whether or not Brittany and Rambo are pitbulls under the Dog Owners Liability Act and the city’s dog bylaw.
The vet’s examination is expected to be done as soon as possible.
The city’s animal services staff say the dogs are pitbulls, the families say they are boxer/American bulldog crosses. Both sides say they have documents from veterinarians who support their stances.
The city and the Branco and Gaspar families have been working toward a settlement for three months in the hope of avoiding a long and costly court process. The dogs were seized from separate homes on Jan. 13 and Rui Branco hired a lawyer with the intent of taking the city to court over what he said was an illegal seizure, without a warrant, and the misclassification of the dogs.
A settlement was reached just recently, and approved by city politicians behind closed doors at Wednesday’s council meeting,
If the veterinarian, who was not named in a city news release issued after council approval, rules the dogs are pitbulls, the city will hold them for an agreed-upon period of time while the owners make arrangements to find homes outside of Ontario.
If the vet finds the dogs are not pitbulls, or he cannot reach a conclusion, the dogs will be released immediately to their owners, with conditions.
If they are released, they will be designated and licensed as “potentially dangerous dogs” under the city’s bylaw, which would require them to be microchipped and spayed/neutered, and to be leashed and muzzled when out in public.
The dogs have been impounded for 92 days so far.

Here's the part I don't get..

If Brittany and Rambo are not found to be so called "pitbulls" and the city has stated publicly there were no complaints or incidents with either of the dogs; why is there a condition that the dogs be muzzled when out in public?

Why should the dogs be designated as "potentially dangerous dogs"?

I guess it is easier for me to voice my opinions sitting here at my computer while my dog lays at my feet..

However I would have to say, Brampton should be held accountable for their actions and if the dogs are not deemed "pitbulls" then the dogs were illegally seized. There should be a public apology and compensation to both families for damages!

Thank goodness I don't live in Brampton!