Dogs seized shipped out of province

FANTASTIC NEWS even if it breaks the hearts of the owners, but to have them alive is far better than their close incounter.

Dogs seized shipped out of the province
By CATHY DOBSON
The Observer Local News
Friday, June 29, 2007

Four dogs seized by Sarnia animal control officers and judged to be Staffordshire bull terriers by the city were scheduled to be shipped out of the province today.

A dog rescue team from Windsor-based Advocates for the Underdog were expected to leave with the mother and her three puppies this morning, said city solicitor Brian Knott.

The team assessed the dogs’ temperaments and said they are suitable for adoption in a jurisdiction where there is no pit bull ban similar to Ontario’s Dog Liabilities Act, Knott said.

Three weeks ago, the four dogs were taken from the home of Brian Edwards and his girlfriend Cassie Bates.

City officials said the dogs were unregistered pit bulls and would be euthanized. But a public campaign to save the dogs and the help of a Bay Street lawyer led to the reprieve.

The Edwards family said a tearful goodbye to their pets at the Sarnia Humane Society Thursday.

“We all broke down,” said Brian Edwards Sr. who organized a demonstration outside city hall to save the dogs.

The mother, Rowen, and her three pups have never so much as growled or shown other signs of aggression, Edwards Sr. said. He considered his campaign a success, noting the city has euthanized other dogs in similar circumstances.

“Most people only have four days after the dogs are seized but my protest worked,” he said.

He intends to formally speak to city council and make his opinions about the Act known at Queen’s Park.

“There are so many options other than putting down these dogs,” he said. “We’ve got to look at adopting them out-of-province and we have to look at the legislation that allows dog catchers to go into someone’s home without a warrant.

“They have more power than the police. I won’t stop working at this because this is a terrible law.”

Tami Holmes, general manager at the Humane Society, said shelter employees were also in tears as they prepared for the dogs’ departure.

“Several staff would take Rowen home if we could. She’s such a nice dog,” Holmes said, stressing that the Humane Society was providing shelter only and had nothing to do with the dogs’ seizure.

“Whoever gets them will be a lucky family. They are fantastic dogs,” she said.