Official Statement on Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) from The White House

Worldwide Anti-BSL Peaceful Protest

This past weekend on July 13th a Worldwide Anti-BSL Peaceful Protest was held. I unfortunately could not attend but have watched numerous videos, looked at pictures and read statements from around the world. 

This event brought tears to my eyes. Those of us who've been out slogging for years are witnessing a ground swell of people who are standing up for their dog owning rights and saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH! 

The WORLD is saying NO to DISCRIMINATORY laws! Laws such as breed specific legislation (banning breeds and appearances of dogs), mandatory spay/neuter, pet limits and other oppressive laws. Laws such as these do nothing to contribute to public safety. If they did, bites and attacks would decrease however overwhelming evidence demonstrates the opposite. 



Here is a short video from the gathering in Toronto, Ontario.

video by Beth Mischitelle

A great friend and fellow (Dog Legislation Council of Canada) member spoke on our behalf at Toronto's gathering. 

Video by Dave Nicholson

Ottawa had an impressive turnout for their gathering.

Photo by Holly Michael Photography Ottawa

Edmonton also held a successful gathering.

Protests were held in Belfast, Ireland where blue ribbons were placed on the gates to City Council in memory of Lennox.

Brisbane, Australia

Perth, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

London, England

Cologne, Germany

Michigan, USA

And many many more...

Way to go world! Stand up and protect your dog owning rights. 

People often ask how they can help.  The best thing to do is to contact your Member of the Provincial Parliament, preferably by phone, mail or fax, to ask them to vote in favour of any Bills that seek to remove Ontario’s breed-specific legislation.  This is important regardless of the party of your MPP and especially if they are in Opposition.  If you can book a meeting to speak with them in person, so much the better.  Beyond Breed has a great post 10 Tips for Speaking with a Legislator.

It is also very important that signed, hard-copy petitions be sent in to MPPs so they know that people in their riding want the breed ban removed.  Those two things, which cost almost nothing and require only minimal action, are the best way to help at this time.  Since the legislature is closed until the Fall, and there is currently no Bill to remove BSL on the table, we are in a bit of a holding pattern.

Fighting to restore civil liberties is a tough business and not for the faint of heart. We will succeed in overturning the breed ban in Ontario. We will succeed in overturning breed bans worldwide. We confidently say this because there are a group of dedicated, passionate dog owners who will not quit until BSL is repealed. We hope that all dog owners and others who are concerned about their property rights will stand with us to right this terrible wrong.  

Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport - the support of caring people is needed if we are to prevail.

Discrimination is alive and well

Yesterday morning I was listening to CBC radio and they interviewed Harvey Brownstone, the first openly gay judge in Canada. He married Edith Windsor (who successfully had the Defense of Marriage Act overturned in the US) and Thea Spayer. 

He was speaking about the case in the US. One of his statements was "This issue is the last civil rights battle." It wasn't a main portion of his commentary but it certainly stood out like a sore thumb (in my mind).

Ummm Harvey I don't think so man! For a judge, and a GAY judge at that, to say something like this is rather narrow, don't you think? 

As far as I'm concerned, as long as there are ways, in people's pea brains, to judge and discriminate based on any factor "they" decide to be "different" or somehow against their moral compass... There will be a need to fight for civil rights! Propaganda is alive and well.

It always freaks me out when those who have been discriminated against or for that matter someone who is a lawyer/judge cannot extrapolate beyond the situation at hand.

Take away from this; be careful not to see the world with narrow vision when you have experienced the wrath of discrimination! Victims of discrimination come in many shapes and forms and as humans, sadly there will never be a lack of discrimination. 

Dog owners who own dogs of a certain shape or appearance are one of the  target groups de jour. When one group has a win another is ready and waiting to become the next target. It is human nature and not a pleasant characteristic. 

Talk about an uphill battle.

Advocacy Tips for Building Safe and Humane Communities by Kim Wolf

When BSL is proposed in your municipality/province/city/state, emotions run high and it's tempting to get angry at politicians. Circulating hateful messages only hurts the dogs/owners, pushes people further from the facts and are counter-productive to your goal. 

We need to work with legislators, not against them, to find a solution. We all want safe communities and want substandard owners punished but that rule applies to ALL dog owners regardless of the breed or appearance of their dog. 

Here is a link to a short presentation on effective advocacy tips for challenging BSL. 

http://pblnn.com/resources/for-advocates-2/223-advocacy-tips-for-building-safe-humane-communities.html

(Note: Click the black toolbar for audio, which corresponds with the slides below it.)

This presentation was put together by Kim Wolf. 

Our message in going forward to repeal BSL in Ontario

The campaign to "change the public's opinion" is not required at this point. Public opinion has no bearing on getting Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) repealed in Ontario. I guarantee you; the government is not getting bombarded by people asking to keep the ban. Once the ban is repealed there will still be people who will be discriminatory, but the difference will be you will have a better ability to protect yourself from nutters and low information people. 

Here's what I believe our messaging needs to be going forward to repeal BSL. 

"Pit bull" is NOT a breed. A dog is either registered purebred or it isn't. (Emphasis on the period). 

Hershey's Bill passed second reading with a wide majority, supported by all three parties. Committee hearings were held for a second time since the original Bill and not one presentation was in favour of the ban! Hershey's Bill just needed to be called for a vote when Dalton McGuinty prorogued. All Bills died on the floor. PC MPP Randy Hillier has tabled a motion to have it brought forward for a vote. 

Kathleen Wynne has stated she has no intention of calling the Bill for a vote. 

Jurisdictions continue to fall like dominoes, repealing existing BSL with fair, enforceable laws that punish negligent owners, regardless of the appearance or breed of their dog. The Ontario Liberals are behind the 8 ball in their views toward animal welfare. Their understanding of effective and fair legislation is obviously flawed. It is common knowledge that "banning" or targeting/discriminatory laws only punish those who abide by laws. 

There is NO evidence to support that dogs are dangerous based on their breed or appearance. (Emphasis on the period). To support otherwise is ignorant or propagandised. 

We want negligent owners punished! Negligent owners not only do a great dis-service to their dog, they also are bad for business for those of us who are good dog owners. We want to see people and their pets as well as those who do not own pets live as harmoniously as possible.

Let's talk about Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw. The Liberals were given alternatives but they continue to choose to ignore them.

What people can do to help? Call or write your MPP and simply let them know you support Hershey's Bill, want it brought forward for a vote and want them to support it on your behalf. 

Print off petitions and get family/friends to sign then mail to your MPP. Sheets do not need to be full to be sent in. One signature is fine but more are better!

Topics to avoid;
Dog fighting has nothing to do with BSL. Dog fighting is and has long been a criminal offence in Canada. 

"Pit bulls" are NOT "the most abused". There is no evidence to support this and this statement does not garner sympathy as some believe. 

"Pit bulls" need a special owner. (This is utter BS dogs are individuals). 

"Aggressive people are attracted to 'pit bulls'". Again there is no evidence to support this statement. A negligent owner is a negligent owner regardless of breed. 

I know there are quite a few more topics to avoid but if topics that are on message are discussed, this would be helpful. 

The above topics were basically all we talked about at the All About Pets Show this past weekend. People "got it" and the (8 total out of thousands) naysayers got flustered and angry. They couldn't back up their emotional response to the propaganda machine. We cannot change their beliefs. What we can do is provide the facts. We have that area more than covered since the other side has no evidence or facts to support their beliefs!

I have been asked several times in the past week, "How do I feel about the children getting ripped up by 'pit bulls'?" 

Answer; The same as I feel when people or domestic animals are hurt or worse by any shape or appearance of dog. Why would it be extra tragic if the dog has short hair? That is horribly unfair to those bitten or attacked by other shapes of dogs! How would you tell them that they don't matter because all the media or you personally care about are so called "pit bulls"? 

Remember * Media reports do not equal data! Where dog bites are concerned in the media they should either ALL be reported or NONE at all!

Keep emotions in check. I feel it is best to refer ALL media requests to PC MPP Randy Hillier or NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo at this point. It is not helpful and it is very risky, going forward, to speak with media. MPP's are trained.

Peter Kormos will be sadly missed

Peter Kormos was a champion to the underdog. His strong defence of our dog owning rights was greatly appreciated. He sat on committee in 2004/05 and blasted the Liberals for their narrow minded, discriminatory legislation. He spoke with us individually and encouraged us to continue on.

Peter Kormos will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family. There aren't too many politicians like him. Thanks for your contribution to public service. RIP Peter.. 

Does this make sense to you?

Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw

Calgary has one of the most efficient animal control bylaws in the world. Thank you Calgary for paving the way to sanity. 

Mark Beuhrle sporting his DLCC Hershey Shirt at interview

Mark, Jamie and Slater (Beuhrle's dog that is not welcome in Ontario thanks to the Ontario Liberal Government) were interviewed this afternoon on Sports Net, on Blue Jays Central.

Mark was sporting a DLCC (Dog Legislation Council of Canada) Hershey Tshirt. 

You did a fine job and wore the shirt well Mark!

  

Slater makes debut at Blue Jays Club House in Dunedin

Slater, (Mark and Jamie Buehrle's dog) made his début at the Blue Jays Club House in Dunedin, Florida. 

He apparently hit a home run! He was loved by all.. but this is no surprise. Slater is a valued member of the Buehrle family and they were forced to choose splitting their family between a house in the US and temp home in Toronto for Mark during the MLB season. Slater is part of an overwhelming high percentage of dogs which fall under the ban, a well trained, well socialized, highly valued member of the family. He has his Canine Good Neighbour certificate and is working on his Therapy Dog certification too!

The ludicrous "breed" ban in Ontario prevents Slater from entering the province. We had a Bill (Bill 16) to repeal the ban, which simply needed to be called for third reading. Bill 16 along with all other Bills on the table, died on the floor when McGuinty prorogued the House last year. 

PC MPP Randy Hillier tabled a motion last week to bring Bill 16 forward for third reading. 

It is fully within Premier Kathleen Wynne's power to reconstitute Bill 16 as it was the day McGuinty prorogued. Tell the new Premier to put Bill 16 back on the Order Paper for Third Reading so that it can be voted on immediately. 

You can sign the petition at this link. 

Breed Specific Legislation splits families, causes heartbreak and discriminates against good people and good dogs for no reason. There is overwhelming evidence to support that BSL has no effect on public safety. There is also overwhelming scientific evidence to support that dogs are NOT dangerous by breed or appearance. 

Jurisdictions worldwide are repealing BSL like dominoes, replacing with fair and balanced laws that do not discriminate based on appearance or breed. 

Come on Ontario, get your $hit together!

Interview with Kim Wolf on PBLN Radio

This is a do not miss interview. Thought provoking and informative. Please let your friends know to listen in as well.

Description c/o PBLN Radio;

Kim Wolfe from Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program discusses how the concept of breed in dogs ultimately does a disservice to animal welfare. Spectacularly prepared with articles, studies, statistics and her own research, Kim presents an excellent model to which we all should aspire. Kim's interview will  open your eyes to how deeply seated breed expectations can be, and what can be done to better conceptualize our mixed breed companion animals.

To listen to this interview with Kim click here.

"Pit bull" ban in Ontario breaks up families

Mark and Jamie Beuhrle have decided that Jamie and family (including their family dog Slater, who is not welcome in Ontario, and 3 Vizsulas) will reside in St. Louis, while Mark lives in Toronto. 

Mark was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from Miami, where there is also a ban, but they were able to live outside Miami/Dade with only a short commute. The ban here is province wide, therefore the only options were New York state or Montreal. The commute would be considerable, therefore they made the decision that Mark would need to visit and commute to St Louis. 

The ban on 3 of the rarest purebred breeds in Canada, the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, plus anything "ss" substantially similar? achieves nothing other than heartbreak and distress for good, ordinary citizens and families. 

Any dog may be deemed a "pit bull" since in reality there is no way to prove a mix breed dog is A,B or C breed. It is a visual ID and no person, not dog judge, veterinarian, AC officer, nobody is qualified to identify the breed make up of a mix breed dog. 

To read more on how this law breaks up families, check out this link. 

We support you Mark, Jamie and family. I wish we could welcome your whole family, Slater included to this province, but until this law is repealed... 

Slater has been trained as a therapy dog. The insanity of this law runs deep. 

Fair and Equal treatment under the law is our aim. Judging on behaviour not appearance is the only way to move forward. 

Dalton McGuinty needs a new job

As of next week Dalton McGuinty will be on the unemployment line.

I think I've found a good job for him. 

A Harvard scientist is looking to clone a Neanderthal baby. I'm thinking since McDad is going to be going through withdrawal after nannying Ontario for nearly a decade. One of the longest decades in Ontario's history I might add.  

The job of being "baby daddy" to a Neanderthal baby may be right up his alley.

He certainly has the correct temperament and thought process to guide a Neanderthal through childhood.