New Proposed bylaw for London toned down

In the London Free Press today:

Pit bull bylaw toned down Mon, October 31, 2005
The proposed version would no longer require owners to buy insurance or post warnings.
By JOE BELANGER, Free Press City Hall Reporter

A new version of London's proposed pit bull bylaw would cut licence fees in half and would no longer require owners to buy insurance or post warning signs.
But it's still causing problems for dog lovers.
"It's definitely better, affordable for some people at least," said Beth Sayler, past president of the London Dog Owners Association.
"The fines are still high and I'd like to know how they're going to enforce the bylaw."
The proposed bylaw -- headed to tonight's environment and transportation committee -- is in response to the Ontario government's ban on pit bulls, which came into effect Aug. 29.
City staff say a local bylaw is needed to enforce the new provincial law by ensuring all pit bulls are licensed.
Sayler said she's still concerned that there's no clear definition of a pit bull, because the name is generic and does not refer to a specific breed.
"The way they're doing it, the animal is deemed a pit bull until the owner proves otherwise, so you're basically guilty until proven innocent," said Sayler.
"I'd rather the city and province just go after any aggressive dog, no matter what the breed."
Tears flowed Sept. 12 at an emotionally charged public meeting about the proposed bylaw. But several presenters also pointed out flaws, some of which were fixed in the new draft bylaw to be tabled tonight.
Some pit bull owners said the bylaw -- especially hefty licencing fees and the need for $1 million in liability insurance -- could force them to abandon their dogs.
Committee chairperson Coun. Fred Tranquilli said feedback at the public meeting led to changes in the bylaw.
"I think it's been a good process and it's come to a fair and reasonable bylaw," he said.
"The fees are still higher because they relate specifically to the disproportionate amount of resources consumed by this breed of dog and their owners."
Key changes in the bylaw:
- A licence fee of $50 instead of $130 and an application fee of $10 instead of $25.
- Removal of a requirement to post a warning sign and the purchase $1 million in liability insurance.
- Dogs in outlying areas can be brought into the city for veterinary care provided they are registered with the city.
- Exemption to a sterilization requirement if the dog is physically unfit to be anesthetized for the procedure.
Unchanged is the city's determination to seek court approval for hefty fines, mostly the $500 maximum allowed for tickets issued for bylaw violations.
The city will also adopt a policy to pursue the maximum court sentence -- a $10,000 fine and six months in jail -- under the Dog Owners' Liability Act for owners of dogs that bite a person or domestic animal in the city.
The province imposed the ban after a number of vicious attacks by pit bulls on people and pets.
People who own pit bulls, including those born before Nov. 27, are exempt, provided the dogs are sterilized, leashed and muzzled.

We will know more by the meeting at City Hall this afternoon.