DOG GONE - City Pulse24 reporting

With all these reminders and reportings, it's no wonder we keep asking ourselves if we've forgotten something and second guessing ourselves. I'm not convinced my muzzle for Shasta will pass, so I plan on buying her the 'Hannible Lector' type style to be on the safe side. They look HORRIBLE, but they say they are the safest syle for the dogs as far as breathing and drinking. Also their snouts aren't confined which with the other kind, I've learnt can cause breathing problems in the future.
Sorry Shasta, but I love you too much to lose you! Forgive me!

Pit bull owners have had the last two months to get used to strict
new dog laws, but now the warnings are over.

As of 12:01am Friday, new regulations under the Dog Owners Liability
Act came into full effect following a 60-day grace period, meaning
all pit bulls must be sterilized, and muzzled and leashed in public.

Opponents of the ban believe the rules are too vague – the
legislation includes four different pit bull breeds, but also
animals that simply look like them.

"(Owners) don't seem to grasp how deeply this law can interfere with
their lives," said dog trainer Steve Barker. "And my biggest fear is
that people who think that they can go along with their lives
normally will get caught by surprise and end up losing their dog."

Pit bull puppies born in the province before November 27th will be
able to stay, but dogs born after the specified date will be shipped
out of Ontario, sent to a research facility or euthanized.

Anyone caught breaking the law risks fines of up to $10,000, six
months in jail or having the animal taken away and possibly
destroyed.

And while the Toronto Humane Society has a no-euthanizing policy,
other organizations aren't so gentle. In Windsor, 300 animals have
been put down since the breed was banned there.

Go to CityPulse24.com and view the video.

What breeds are included in the new pit bull ban?
American Staffordshire terriers, pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and American pit bull terriers – also any other breeds sharing 'substantially similar' characteristics

When does it take effect?
Monday, August 29, 2005. But a 60-day grace period ended as of 12:01am Friday, October 28.

What are the regulations?
The amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA) bar people from owning, breeding, transferring, importing, or abandoning pit bulls.
Pit bulls kept legally after the ban will be known as 'grandfathered' or restricted pit bulls.
In order for a pit bull to qualify as a 'grandfathered' or restricted pit bull, it must be owned by an Ontario resident on August 29 or born in Ontario within 90 days of August 29.
By October 28, 2005, pit bull owners will have to have their dogs leashed and muzzled in public and sterilized. Additionally, owners aren't allowed to train them to fight, and can't let them stray.
The only time a muzzle isn’t required is when the dog is on the owner’s property, or on another person’s property if they consent to the muzzle’s removal.
Muzzles should be humane, but strong enough to prevent the animal from biting without interfering with its ability to breathe, pant, see, or drink.
The leash must not exceed 1.8 metres.

What are the potential penalties if laws are broken?
$10,000 fine ($60,000 for corporations) and/or
Six months imprisonment and/or
The court could order the person convicted to compensate the victim and/or
The animal could be taken away or destroyedWhat to do if you see a pit bull that’s not abiding by the restrictions:
Municipalities are responsible for animal control, so you should contact your local animal control or by-law enforcement office. In emergency situations though, contact police.
If you’re bitten by a pit bull because the restrictions aren’t being followed, you can bring a civil action against the dog's owner for damages.
The new laws stipulate that the owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack regardless of whether the owner is at fault or negligent.

Courtesy Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
October 28, 2005