Ontario Court of Appeals Reviews Pit Bull Ban

 Thats exciting. 

huskymom

 Thats exciting. 

I see you are from Ontario, so it must be a good thing to see, since the "slippery slope" often includes other breeds such as Huskies.

 It really is good to see.  I mean the ban was based on nothing factual, just a bunch of overly emotional non rational people.  And you can't reason with people like that.  Maybe enough time has passed that those people have lost interest. 

 One can only hope.  Now, we're having to fight a dumb law in MA, too, when we had a really well crafted & sensible bill up for consideration for the last three freakin' years with no results. Really makes me mad.

I still can remember the day that this ban was announced on TV, and it still makes me shudder.  To think of how many dogs have been murdered because of this insane law, it makes me cry with rage and hurt.  I miss seeing Pitties available for adoption.  I miss seeing Pitties walking down the street, when they were free and not muzzled or blacklisted.  They're wonderful dogs, and not only did it hurt to have them banned here in Ontario, but when it was announced that they would be banned, a press agent posed a question.. " Are any other breeds, like Rottweilers or Dobermans going to be involved".  Their response... "No, not as of current".    It makes me sick this law, and I sincerely hope that it's revoked, and a dangerous dog ruling instead mandated.  Thanks for posting this article..

First let me say that I am glad the BSL is under appeal and I wish Mr. Ruby much luck. This is Mr. Ruby's 2nd challenge. In his first challenge he argued unsuccessfully that Pitbulls were not by nature a dangerous breed and that other breeds were statistically more dangerous. This time around he is arguing that the definition of Pit Bull is too vague and unconstitutional. If he wins this appeal it will be interesting to see if the act is struck down entirely or the definition is rewritten.

BannedBreed Lover

I miss seeing Pitties available for adoption.  I miss seeing Pitties walking down the street, when they were free and not muzzled or blacklisted. 

Actually if you go to the Toronto Humane Society adoption page you will find a number of Pits and other mixes that fall under the ban. I would also like to mention that in the city of Toronto (I can't speak for all of Ontario) I see lots of Pitties and I can't remember the last time I saw one wearing a muzzle. As long as they aren't bothering anybody no one seems to care around here and I can only assume it is not a priority for the authorities.

BannedBreed Lover

 To think of how many dogs have been murdered because of this insane law, it makes me cry with rage and hurt. 

The number of 'Pit Bulls' that were surrendered when the ban was imposed is what really enraged me. The law required owners to 1. Neuter 2. Leash and 3. Muzzle their dogs. The law did not require any one to relinquish ownership. Apparently hundreds of owners decided getting rid of their pets was a better alternative.  

 Well, personally, I have some trouble with the muzzle laws.  Our neighborhood nursing home has an AmStaff therapy dog that has been going there faithfully for years.  Should she have to be muzzled???????  This stuff is ridiculous - all that's needed is a strong law that punishes irresponsible owners and makes them pay the freight for what they allow their dogs to do.

denise m

First let me say that I am glad the BSL is under appeal and I wish Mr. Ruby much luck. This is Mr. Ruby's 2nd challenge. In his first challenge he argued unsuccessfully that Pitbulls were not by nature a dangerous breed and that other breeds were statistically more dangerous. This time around he is arguing that the definition of Pit Bull is too vague and unconstitutional. If he wins this appeal it will be interesting to see if the act is struck down entirely or the definition is rewritten.

BannedBreed Lover

I miss seeing Pitties available for adoption.  I miss seeing Pitties walking down the street, when they were free and not muzzled or blacklisted. 

Actually if you go to the Toronto Humane Society adoption page you will find a number of Pits and other mixes that fall under the ban. I would also like to mention that in the city of Toronto (I can't speak for all of Ontario) I see lots of Pitties and I can't remember the last time I saw one wearing a muzzle. As long as they aren't bothering anybody no one seems to care around here and I can only assume it is not a priority for the authorities.

BannedBreed Lover

 To think of how many dogs have been murdered because of this insane law, it makes me cry with rage and hurt. 

The number of 'Pit Bulls' that were surrendered when the ban was imposed is what really enraged me. The law required owners to 1. Neuter 2. Leash and 3. Muzzle their dogs. The law did not require any one to relinquish ownership. Apparently hundreds of owners decided getting rid of their pets was a better alternative.  

Very true, the law clearly did state that pre-existing Pitbulls were allowed, and considered to be grandfathered under the law.  I think that honestly, some Pittie owners were under false knowledge (or lack there of it), and others just simply didn't wish to own a breed with such a stigma attached.

I have visited the THS webpage hundreds of times, and I do know that there are a few 'legal' Pitbulls available for adoption.  I wanted so badly to adopt a Pittie before this ban came into effect, but I had to be realistic with our home situation before any adoptions could take place; out of fairness to us and the dog.  We also have a few requirements that must be considered if we were to adopt from a shelter (say THS), making most of the available Pitties unsuitable for our family.  I have seen many of those Pitties sadly age away in the shelter, many people too unsure about the breed to adopt them.  A really great bully rescue website is Bullies In Need (http://www.bulliesinneed.ca/bin.htm), a website which I visit often.

I live about an hour away from Toronto, and in our city, most of the Pitties that once happily trotted down the streets, have disappeared from sight.  Occasionally, in the late evening, you can see an owner walking their muzzled Pittie; trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.  Some people turn a blind eye to a un-muzzled Pitbull, but there are some people to follow the law down to the letter.

Superior Court Justice said yesterday that the ban will be upheld. Lawyer Clayton Ruby argued at the Supreme Court that the definition of "pit bull" is too broad and vague. In his ruling the judge stated, "The total ban on pit bulls is not 'arbitrary or 'grossly disproportionate' in light of the evidence that pit bulls have a tendency to be unpredictable and that even apparently docile pit bulls may attack without warning or provocation."

This is the second and probably the last challenge to the Ontario ban on pit bulls.  

denise m

Superior Court Justice said yesterday that the ban will be upheld. Lawyer Clayton Ruby argued at the Supreme Court that the definition of "pit bull" is too broad and vague. In his ruling the judge stated, "The total ban on pit bulls is not 'arbitrary or 'grossly disproportionate' in light of the evidence that pit bulls have a tendency to be unpredictable and that even apparently docile pit bulls may attack without warning or provocation."

This is the second and probably the last challenge to the Ontario ban on pit bulls.  

Just more evidence that when human beings WANT to be obtuse, they usually succeed.

The Ontario BSL is sickening to me. And as an Ontario bred I have to say Ontario is stupid on some things and not be out of line.  And it seems it violates my rights as a human let alone as a good dog owner.  I currently live in CA, but have been offered a great position at Woodbine/Rexdale/Toronto.. and basically I can't go because I would either have to give my dog away or live in fear of her being euthanized if I stupidly decide to go. I have to struggle through a bad employment(in my field) /economy because I own a kind, gentle and loving dog. Who is advertised as misused and mistreated, misrepresented  kind of dog.

And I do fully expect her to step up if I were in danger. I'd do the same for her.  The same as she licks tears from my face. I'm her's and she is  mine.

I've never met a kinder dog in my life!  And I've had  a whippet.