Thursday, September 29, 2011

Response from Oshawa NDP candidate Mike Shields


1. If the amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) came up today for a free rather than a whipped vote as happened in 2005, would you vote in favour of banning breeds as an effective way to protect people from dog bites? Please explain.

ANSWER: No.

2. Please tell our readers why you think the 'pit bull' ban enacted by the McGuinty government has or has not been successful in protecting the public from dog bites.

ANSWER: It has not been successful—breed specific legislation simply does not work. See explanation below. 


3. Would you be willing, if elected, to work to rescind the breed-specific regulations in Ontario's amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) andreplace them with an existing, easily implemented Canadian system that has been effective in the control of negligent pet owners, that is supported by all responsible pet owners and that once established is fully funded by dog and cat owners rather than through general revenue taxation? Please briefly explain your response.


ANSWER: Yes we would rescind the breed-specific legislation. New Democrats support responsible dog ownership. Breed-specific legislation does nothing for public safety but it unfairly targets many innocent dogs and their responsible owners.


4. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Ontario’s New Democrats voted against the Dog Owner’s Liability Act in 2005 and NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo has introduced legislation, multiple times, that would have repealed the flawed and ineffective breed-specific regulations. We continue to stand behind our record on this issue.
-- 
Mike Shields Campaign
Ontario's New Democrats

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