If Looks Could Kill

I spoke to a woman only the other day that has owned a Boxer X for 7 years. This year ACC changed her dogs breed to Pit bull.

Suddenly she had to get her dog micro chipped with proof, show original proof of rabies, original spay receipt, 2 pictures to show markings of her dog, fill out the inquiry form with description, age, province or non-province born, etc. and appear in person with all this proof before being allowed a Pit bull license, which is a higher rate than other dogs.

She now has to muzzle and leash her dog at all times in public and abide by the Pit bull Law. To us, the dog looks like a Boxer, but ACC says other wise and can change your dogs breed as easily as that and at any time.

With Canada fallen on hard times and in turmoil, the cities have to get their money wherever possible. After all, the Ontario Liberal government has cities and towns flipping the bill for all the expenses and burdons it takes to enforce the ban in their cities.

I expect ACC in Ontario will be changing many dogs breeds for the extra money the licences bring in. I also wonder if a younger mutt gets changed to Pit bull, does it become illegal and put to death because of age?

She (the dogs owner) is now bound under the law that if her dog does anything against the law or by hear say, she can pay a fine up to $10,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail and her dog killed.

If you own a purebred, you better have the proper papers to prove it, otherwise your dog is in danger too no matter at how hard you argue. That would be the majority of pet store dogs which many aren't aware come from puppy mills at extraordinary prices. Yes! Your amazing, hilarious purebred Jack Russel Terrier that you paid $700 for, but no papers to prove it, could turn out to be a Pit bull.

Of course, just like the Pit bulls, parliament might decide to ban all dogs 20 pounds or more. Yes, that has also been suggested in council.

Are you wondering now about your own dog or someone you know? Read the post.

If Looks Could Kill
*crosspost*

Remember the old saying, "If Looks Could Kill"?

These days in Ontario, they can and do.

Do you own a short-coated dog with a boxy snout?

Is he brindle, white, brown or red?

Then you may very well own an Ontario "pit bull".

Everything from Boston Terriers to Great Danes, purebred or mixed, have been identified by those enforcing the Dog Owners Liability Act (DOLA) as "pit bulls".

Due to the anxiety and confusion this law has created, many national breed clubs have asked for official exemptions from Ontario's Attorney General. In fact, people are writing to the Attorney General before they get a dog to make sure they are making a safe choice.

For owners of mixed breed dogs (in other words, most people), the confusion means that they are unaware of how this ban directly affects them. After all, there is no valid method to test the breeding of a mix and there is nothing the law that says how you prove your dog is not a "pit bull" - yet the onus is on you, the dog owner, to do just that.

The latest decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal states that if even a tiny risk exists, it is the responsibility of government to regulate it by whatever means possible - even if this means exterminating it.

In restoring the law to its original form, the Justices told all Canadians that despite credible research and evidence proving otherwise, the mythology surrounding the "pit bull" is taken at face value by our courts.

In other words, uneducated opinions, gossip and hearsay from any source (such as news reports) can be used to prove anything - and worse, such flimsy evidence can influence our rights and freedoms in all aspects of our lives.

Do you now see that this not just about dogs anymore?

In the words of Clayton Ruby,"According to the Court of Appeal, so long as the government puts forth some evidence in support of its legislative decision, regardless of its credibility, reliability or value, it cannot lose. And it's not just about dogs anymore. This ruling, if left unchallenged, will become case law and as such can be applied to anything, from dogs to donkeys."

Ultimately this means that the life of every dog and every breed is just a pen stroke away from extinction. All it will take is a little bad press.

We refuse to quit. We must take this case to the Supreme Court of Canada so that dog (and all property) owners can take back control of their and their dogs' lives.

But we have a problem...In order to move forward, significant financial obligations must be met. The Banned Aid Coalition must raise $100,000.00 within two weeks in order to pay for the outstanding costs to date and to finalize our application to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The DLCC and Banned Aid Coalition firmly believe in the importance of this cause. We are prepared to carry this burden farther but we need your help. Don't sit this one out because the future of dog ownership, if not all property ownership, is what's at stake.

Many have stepped up to help us along the way but we are again in a crunch for time and money. Please join dog owners and others from across our great country in standing up for fair and equal treatment for all.

Most of all, stand up for your best and only friend, your beautiful dog. He is depending on your help during his darkest hour.

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support. Together, we can win.

Please donate today - every dollar counts.

"We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin

There are several ways you can donate.

You can mail your cheque payable to the DLCC to:
Cathy Prothro
351 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 3S4
Canada

PAY PAL. Please go to http://www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org and click on the "Donate!" link for the Pay Pal tool.

For your convenience you can deposit from any bank directly into the Banned Aid Legal Fund by depositing to:
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
Penhorn Mall,Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Account 00513 010 1526839

You can also make an online payment from your financial institution's website by sending a bill payment to treasurer@doglegislationcouncilcanada.org

Send cheques or money orders directly to Mr Ruby at the following address,
c/o BANNED AID LEGAL CHALLENGE FUND
Ruby & Edwardh
11 Prince Arthur Ave.
Toronto, Ont.
M5R1B2
416 964 9664

*If you aren't a resident of Canada and would like to help, Pay Pal is set up for all over the world. Thank you!*
* 1. added by Conners