Liberal MPP David Zimmer claims the breed ban in Ontario is "old news"

The political parties have been hosting virtual town hall meetings via telephone. I actually listened in on one with my MPP a few months ago. They are a great way of connecting people without physically getting people "together". Basically you are called on your phone and you and several thousand other constituents listen in live to a Q and A, plus you are able to be put in queue and if chosen ask a question. 


A reader participated in a virtual town hall meeting with Liberal MPP David Zimmer (MPP for Willowdale) and Liberal MPP Kathleen Wynne (MPP for Don Valley West). 


Liz Sullivan (constituent in Don Valley West and Brindle Stick reader) was placed in queue chosen to ask the following question;

With the US Supreme Court ruling that pit bull bans are unconstitutional and where basically the Ontario Courts have come out calling the pit bull ban ABSURD & HARSH; yet thousands of dogs continue to be seized & destroyed based on looks along, while NOT PROVEN to be dangerous. SO knowing that you have received over a hundred thousand email asking you to repeal the ban, WILL you NOW support Hershey's Bill repealing the ban at this time?

According to Liz, the question seemed to take Zimmer back. She paraphrased his answer which came after a few silent breaks.. 

Zimmer's reply: 

These dogs are pit bulls and they are known to attack people! Now I know that we aren't hearing a lot about these attacks recently, but there are not many of them left. Pit bull attacks are down. The ban works. 

This is old news. People do not care about this issue anymore. They are more interested in questions about what is going on currently such as energy, economy, transportation...  

Here is a bit of David Zimmer background surrounding the topic of "old news" as he calls it.


The justification for bulldozing the legislation through in 2005 and stripping the rights of all dog owners in Ontario can be found from 2004 recorded in Hansard by Michael Bryant and David Zimmer. Remember the entire content is based on absolute propaganda! There is NO scientific evidence to prove any dog may be deemed dangerous based on breed and the word "pitbull" is not a breed. It is a slang term for a dog of unknown breed history.

Breed bans are based solely on targeting dogs on looks not behavior.


Committee hearings proved the Liberals were dead wrong with 86 of the 102 presentations consisting of experts from around the world, all speaking out AGAINST the ban. Countless jurisdictions have repealed breed bans based on solid research that they do nothing to stop dog attacks or increase public safety. The results of breed bans cause strife, stress, heartache and place innocent dog owners and dogs at risk of losing the family pet because of draconian beliefs. 

Hansard

 Mr David Zimmer (Willowdale): We have heard from the Attorney General on the tremendous public support for this piece of legislation. We've heard about the tremendous sense of need out there in the community for this legislation, we've heard about the detailed consultation process that the attorney's office has gone through in arriving at this legislation, and we've heard the attorney make the point very eloquently about the qualitative difference between pit bulls and other breeds of dogs. (There was never any proof put forth surrounding a supposed 5000 emails in favor of ban or any other support beyond victims. Most "support" was based on newspaper articles and skewed US stats which differ greatly from Canada. Evidence was presented that there is NO scientific basis that any of the purebred dogs are different than any other breed of dog/ the rarity of the purebreds less than 1000 dogs all breeds combined in the province and you cannot identify a cross bred dog.) 

We can't forget Zimmer's moronic comment at committee hearing;

Mr. Zimmer: Because they're qualitatively different in the danger when they attack people and/or other animals. They're just qualitatively different. 

Ms. Holmes: I have never, ever been attacked by a dog such as a pit bull type of breed. I have been bitten by a chihuahua, but we don't seem to be concerned about those. I've had a chow come at me; we're not concerned about those.

Mr. Zimmer: Did the chihuahua take your leg off?

Ms. Holmes: No, but he did draw blood.

Mr. Zimmer: So does a mosquito.

Lest we forget the OSPCA Act fiasco that was passed by the McGuinty Liberals. The Act has proven problematic and put far too much power in the hands of a private charity. 


So Zimmer thinks the breed ban is "old news" huh?


Well Mr. Zimmer I wonder if Rui Branco and his family or the Gaspar family feel this issue is old news. Maybe the Branco family feel it is old news that their front door was kicked in, their dog Brittany was seized and held for 6 months while thousands of dollars were spent in court fighting for Brittany and Rambo's lives! There were no complaints against either of the dogs. The Gaspar's dog was spotted standing on top of his dog house in his own fenced backyard by Brampton Animal Control. Brittany is a sibling to Rambo (Gaspar family dog) and both are offspring of the other Branco family dog (a purebred/registered Boxer).


I wonder if Danny Truong thinks the breed ban is old news after being reported for owning a "pitbull" while taking his dog Bowser (Rottweiler/Boxer) cross to be neutered? Danny spent 2 years in court and thousands of dollars on legal fees to save his dog's life. 


I wonder if Philip Huggins thinks the breed ban is old news? His dog Ginger, who was out for a walk with his mother, November 29th 2005 (leashed and muzzled) was savagely attacked by an off leash dog. Ginger's owner was charged with 3 counts under DOLA. The city of Toronto tried to make a deal that he would not face charges if he handed Ginger over to be killed. Philip decided to fight for Ginger. Ginger spent 3 1/2 years in the pound until high profile lawyer Clay Ruby took over Philip's case and found Ginger was being unlawfully held. The provincial government were intervenor's in the case. Those darn Liberals sure are hellbent on killing dogs! They have intervened in numerous court cases against dog owners in Ontario. Quite a way to spend taxpayers dollars..


But that is old news....


There have been thousands of dogs killed in Ontario not for behavior but simply because of how they look. Many of them have been puppies! They are being identified as "pitbulls" and killed before they even have a chance at life.


There have been 2 people killed by dog attacks in the province of Ontario since the ban took effect. Neither of them were classified as "banned" dogs.


Dog attacks have not decreased in Ontario since the ban. Bans do not work and they never will. 


The Ontario provincial election is coming up October 6th, 2010.


David Zimmer, you and the rest of the McGuinty Liberals are "old news"! Start packin'...