California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed Assembly Bill 241 which would have prohibited any person or entity from having 50 or more intact dogs or cats. He returned the bill with the following veto message:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 241 without my signature. This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

System defended

Doug Kelley, director of animal control, defended the system yesterday, arguing that the appeals process is proof that it works.

“The administrative hearing process is there, it’s designed to allow owners to appeal,” he said. “That process worked in this case — the dog, upon further information, was found not to be a pit bull. So, that’s why the process is there.”

Kelley also defended the training animal control officers receive in order to label a dog.

The training is actually a voluntary program that animal control officers must opt into. The checklist to determine if a dog is a pit bull is almost entirely physical characteristics, such as lips, eye color and shoulders. If a dog matches the majority of criteria for a pit bull, then the dog is a pit bull in the eyes of city officials. 

Critics of the system, however, point out that there are dozens of traits that can be applied to several breeds. In many cases, the evaluators are unable to agree on several of the criteria.

Ok, freak me out! I calculated more common criteria with animal number 3 when going through the checklist with each animal!

Here are a couple other links to other articles on this topic.

The Denver Channel

Denver Post

Have you wondered how Denver identifies a dog as a "pitbull"? I always find it a curious process how it is that one identifies something that is a slang term or label as opposed to a concrete provable subject.

As I have said over and over, the term "pitbull" is a slang term for a type or "look" of dog. It is not a purebred and it is certainly not a breed. There are well over 25 purebred breeds that resemble what is sometimes referred to as a "pitbull". Basically it depends on who is doing the judging.

In the case of Dexter, in my previous post, Denver Animal Control (AC) has a "team" of so called "experts". In this case two were AC officers and the third was a vet tech.

The same shenanigans go on up here in Ontario too. The city of Mississauga was caught red handed using the janitor at the pound as one of the "breed experts" and having slips of paper (with breed written on it) dropped in buckets in front of cages as a vote by pound staff to identify mutts in custody.

We happen to have a copy of the form Denver AC uses to decide whether a dog is a "pitbull". I have attached a copy to this post.

The process is laughable but the outcome is far from. The outcome has resulted in the deaths of thousands of good family pets that happen to not fit the description of what Denver considers a family pet dog to look like. (see my second last post) Yes that's right, in jurisdictions that have breed discriminatory legislation; your pet's right to live or stay in your home depends on what it looks like, not how it behaves. It is not dependent on how responsible the owner is; it is strictly dependent on how your dog looks. The labeling or categorization may vary drastically from what you as an owner, AC employees or someone off the street thinks it should look like. It is dependent on amateurs with no qualification to judge the breed makeup of a cross bred dog. One step further, there is no person qualified to determine the makeup or lineage of a cross bred dog because it cannot  be definitively determined. Professional dog show judges (with reputable kennel clubs) are at least experts in judging purebred dogs and know what to look for.

When you view the document in the attachment, what you are seeing is one form, used for the identification process, copied three times by three different "experts" at Denver AC. There are 27 steps to fill out , not including the dog's name, color or gender.

The three forms in a row you are viewing have been performed on the same dog! As you can see the only criteria all three "experts" agree on are the coat color, nose color and sex of the dog. They could not even agree on the weight of the dog, in fact one called the dog obese at 60 lbs while another recorded the dog at 65 lbs with no indication the dog was overweight.

So here is how things basically go down.

Your dog is picked up or seized as a "pitbull" by any law enforcement. The dog is taken to the Animal Control facility where three of their "expert" "pitbull" evaluators fill out the form (the one attached). On the back of the form (not shown in the attachment), they write "pitbull" or whatever breed or mix of breed they think it is. If at least two of the "experts" say it is a "pitbull" then the dog has just received its date with Dr. Death. If at least two of the evaluators  say it's not a "pitbull" then you can pick up your dog and the dog is legal to live in Denver.

The law essentially reads that if Denver says your dog is a "pitbull" then it is a "pitbull". Sound familiar?

Why on earth do you think (in Ontario) reverse onus was written into the law? (The onus in on the owner to prove the dog is not a "pitbull" as opposed to the crown proving the dog is a "pitbull")

The stand alone answer to that is IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVE YOUR DOG IS NOT A "PITBULL" BECAUSE THEY DO NOT EXIST! Robert Charney (counsel for the Attorney General's office in our case said himself in court "there is no such thing as a "pitbull"!) You cannot prove definitely that a cross bred dog has or does not have particular breeds in its genetic back ground or lineage. There is no proof and too many variables.

That being said, Kevin O'Connell just won his case in Denver (see previous post) proving Dexter was not a "pitbull". In my opinion, O'Connell's "experts" trumped AC's "experts". It sure sets a nice precedence for what a dog that isn't a "pitbull" looks like!

Getting back to the attachment

***The three "experts" who filled out the forms attached, appeared at a hearing. When each were asked which of the criteria on the form were of the "pitbull" they did not know. One of the "experts" actually shrugged his shoulders. These "experts didn't know whether a "pitbull" was supposed to have a curved or straight tail or course or soft coat. The form is "just something they fill out" but the "experts" cannot tell you what it all means.

The dog that was being identified in all three forms attached was identified as a "pitbull".

**The dog being identified in the attached form is not Dexter. This is an unrelated previous case in Denver.

*This clearly demonstrates how the identification process is gravely flawed, sending thousands of innocent dogs to their death!

"What?" O'Connell replied. "Why?"

"They say he's a pit bull."

It is high time for the WITCH HUNTERS  to give it up. Seek therapy for your irrational fears and get on with your life. If you truly want to do something constructive about protecting public safety from irresponsible dog owners then take a look at the Responsible Dog Ownership bylaw in Calgary, Alberta. No targeting breeds, discrimination or throwing responsible dog owners under the bus in Calgary. Simple, enforceable, common sense bylaws that have been in place for nearly 2 decades and is a proven winner!

Denver's going down baby!

CGN TESTING

The Dog Legislation Council of Canada is offering a Canine

Good Neighbor Day at the Beeton Fair September 19th, 2009.

Canadian Kennel Club certificate test - conducted by a CKC CGN Evaluator.

Fee for CGN is $35.00 per dog.

Saturday, September 19th 2009 - testing will be held on the grounds at the Beeton Fair.

This test is available to purebred and non-pure bred dogs. There will be an entrance fee to gain access to the Fairgrounds. Please keep your dogs leashed to comply with municipal bylaws at all times.

For more information about the CGN testing criteria please contact Lori Gray dlccevents@gmail.com

The Town of New Tecumseth offers a half price reduction to dog tag costs for dogs with a Canine Good Neighbour Certificate.

Directions:

From Hwy 400, go north to exit hwy 88 to Bond Head. Go west to Bond Head to stoplight at hwy 27^th. Turn north to 8^th line 1.5 km. Turn left or west toward Beeton 8.8km. You will now be on the Main St of Beeton. At 2^nd St N in Beeton, turn right or north to Prospect St. You will be at the fairgrounds in Community Park.

 Pre-book CGN testing by contacting:

dlccevents@gmail.com

 Dogs must be 6 months of age or older

The PC volunteer appreciation BBQ and canvass was a success, as reported by one of our members who was in attendance with his dog Abby. The BBQ was a great chance to meet the St Paul's candidate, Sue-Ann Levy, who will be running in Bryant's former riding. The Liberal's are not confident they will hang on to the seat in St. Paul's. The by-election is coming up this Thursday Sept 17th.

Following a day of canvassing,  Leader Tim Hudak, Sue-Ann Levy, Party Executive, PC Caucus, volunteers, families, and friends of the Ontario PC Party had their annual volunteer BBQ.

At Tuesday evenings regular meeting – after public consultation and revision – the town's council introduced and enacted its purposed amendments with the third and final reading.

Council removed breed specific classifications – pit bull terriers, Rottweilers and mixed breeds of either – from the vicious dog classification and based the bylaw on if a dog bites, attacks or aggressively chases a person or another animal. The $250 vicious dog fee was also removed.

Kudos to Dr. Bramstrap and the town of Nackawic, NB!

May all jurisdictions who currently have BSL follow your lead and do the right thing. 

City now holding three suspected pit bulls

The city has impounded yet another dog based on the belief it is a banned breed in Ontario and must be euthanized.

A complaint prompted Sarnia officials on Friday to pick up a dog, which they were told fathered two puppies already being held at the Sarnia and District Humane Society.

All three dogs are boxer mixes, according to one owner Korinn Seabrook. However, city animal control officers say they are Staffordshire bull terriers and are illegal.

Pitbull law unevenly applied

ANIMALS: Two dogs to be euthanzied this week

Posted By CATHY DOBSON, THE OBSERVER

If Maddi and Carter lived in St. Clair Township they probably wouldn't be on death row.

But they live in Sarnia where animal control officers say they resemble Staff ordshire bull terriers or pitbulls and are illegal.

Both 11-month-old pups are scheduled to be euthanized this week unless their owners can prove they aren't a banned breed.

Sarnia is only following provincial legislation that binds the municipality, says Mayor Mike Bradley.

"We didn't ask for it but we have to deal with it," he said. "The city doesn't agree with banning by breed and I've been opposed to it since day one. But we are doing what the provincial law requires."

The 2005 Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act says any Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staff ordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and any dog that looks "substantially similar" is illegal.

In Sarnia, animal control offi- cers don't require a complaint to pick up a dog they believe is banned. If the officer deems it a pitbull, the onus is on the owner to prove otherwise.

Suspected pitbulls on death row

CATHY DOBSON The Observer September 2, 2009

Korinn Seabrook and Sonya Pimentel are desperate to stop Sarnia from euthanizing their puppies, but neither is optimistic they can be saved.

The women, who are friends, each adopted an 11-month-old dog they believe are boxer mixes from a mutual friend.

“Both the mom and the dad are boxer mix. My friend has the papers to prove it,” said Seabrook.

But Sarnia animal control officers say the puppies look like Staffordshire bull terriers, a breed that’s been illegal to own in Ontario since legislation was passed in 2005 to ban so-called pitbulls.

Seabrook’s dog Maddi went missing Sunday night near her home on Michigan Avenue. She believes the 30-pound pup escaped through a hole in the screen door.

“I stayed up all night looking for her,” she said. In the morning, she discovered Maddi at the Sarnia and District Humane Society.

But there's one element that irritates me severely. It's the presence, since very early, of a public-relations firm aiding Mr. Bryant. Globe reporter Timothy Appleby says he was told outside the jail that morning that a PR firm was involved. Even Sherman McCoy didn't use his second call to phone a publicist. Tim says he doesn't know whether the company was already engaged for another reason, but they were apparently on Mr. Bryant's case.

The firm turned out to be Navigator Ltd., which acted for Brian Mulroney during the Karlheinz Schreiber operetta. This muddies everything that follows.

For instance, immediately on release, Mr. Bryant expressed condolences to Mr. Sheppard's family. As Susan Reisler of Media Profile, another PR firm, told the Toronto Star: “It's appropriate to apologize. It's not admission to anything …” This is stock PR wisdom in crisis management. You get out there fast with your top person and express regret.

It's a reasonable bet you, too, Toronto Star readers, have an opinion. But is it, you might ask, your own? Definitely not, says a veteran Toronto criminal lawyer, loath to have his name published. "Look, the headline on this story should be: `Navigator, changing your perceptions without you even knowing it.'"

He refers, of course, to Navigator Limited, the smooth public relations firm hired by Bryant (when exactly is unclear) to massage the message. He's said to be close to Navigator chair Jaime Watt, touted for knowing everybody in Canadian power circles. Senior partner Robin Sears most recently was spokesperson for Brian Mulroney during the parliamentary investigation into his dealings with deported German arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber.

and continuing...

Experienced legal and political hands see Navigator's fingerprints all over public opinion. Shortly after a noon strategy meeting yesterday that apparently drew together Navigator staffers and Bryant's criminal defence lawyer, highly regarded Marie Henein, Sears acknowledged a reporter's remark that things seemed to be going well for them.

"I'm glad you agree," he said. "We're working hard to ensure that it does. A big part of that is us staying out of the story."

I realize I am bias in my opinion of who Michael Bryant is as a person, a politician or a business man. Articulate, inspiring, showman and dynamic are NOT on my list of descriptive words for Bryant. I felt as though I wanted to throw up when I read the warm and fuzzy article in the Star September 2nd; hot on the heels of Sheppard's death.  I guess that was another one of Navigator's releases to try to rock the public into thinking there is a "softer" side or somehow portray he can't be the sociopath many suspect. 

"Collateral damage" is what Bryant does best. I can attest to this!

I can't help but think that somehow Bryant made a tragic choice and there very well may have been tragic choices made on both sides of the coin. What I know for sure is; it is utterly disgusting and vile to think that a public campaign to paint a "rosy" picture may influence the outcome of this tragedy.

Maybe he can hire a chauffeur.

If Michael Bryant was a pitbull…

by Kelly on September 2, 2009

I hate to say, I told you so... Now a Toronto cyclist is dead, following a vicious act last night when former Attorney General of Ontario (McGuinty Fiberal's) Michael Bryant, went off like a ticking time bomb!



The latest fatality stats were released early this morning for Ontario.

Fatalities caused by "pitbulls"                  0
Fatalities caused by Michael Bryant          1

The victim is also the father of an infant son.

The witnesses said it appeared as though Bryant was attempting to knock Sheppard off the car by brushing against trees and mailboxes on Bloor Street approaching Avenue Road. Burrows said Sheppard was "essentially a pedestrian," having left his bicycle.

Police said Sheppard sustained severe injuries after striking a mailbox and a tree while still hanging on to the car. He was dragged and then run over by the rear wheels of the vehicle. He was rushed to Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital, according to police.

Sheppard was pronounced dead a short time later.

Getting back to the dire warnings we tried to warn people of going back as far as early 2004. It is a matter of public safety! Nobody listened to us. The picture below is of a poster I carried around Queen's Park August 29th, 2005. We knew then what this man was capable of but no one listened. 

Rasode says she could see tougher legislation, or even a ban on certain breeds in Surrey. “If the SPCA came forward to council with a proposal we would certainly not only discuss that proposal but send it out to public consultation…and maybe a ban is what we need to look at."

Give your head a shake Barinder!

Google the "Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw" in Calgary.

I feel like a broken record.. record.. record... record... record... record...

• Reiki and energy transference/healing
• Colour Therapy
• Vibrational Essences
• Holistic Laser Therapy
• Animal Communication
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

CGN TESTING

The Dog Legislation Council of Canada is offering Canine Good

Neighbor Days at the Barrie Kennel & Obedience Club Inc. Show

August 1 & 2nd, 2009.

Canadian Kennel Club certificate test - conducted by a CKC CGN Evaluator.

Fee for CGN is $35.00 per dog.

August 1st, and 2nd 2009 - testing will be held during and in conjunction with the Barrie Kennel Club Show.

This test is available to purebred and non-pure bred dogs. The CGN test will be held outside the show perimeter but remaining on show grounds. Visitors welcome, however visiting dogs must stay 30 feet back from show rings. Dogs are not allowed in designated show areas for either agility or confirmation unless they are entered exhibition only. Purebred dogs may be entered exhibition only by calling the entry line by the show deadline. Ask to enter exhibition for the Barrie Kennel Club show. The Entry Line Ltd. 1-800-293-2935

         Directions to Odas Park show grounds:

         Fairgrounds Rd Severn, ON (near Orillia )

Take Hwy 400 north to Hwy 11 north to Orillia .

Take exit 133 for Hwy 12 West/Coldwater Rd. toward Midland

Turn left at Hwy 12 Coldwater Rd

Turn Right at Fairgrounds Rd

 Pre-book CGN testing by contacting:

dlccevents@gmail.com

Dogs must be 6 months of age or older

Saturday, July 18th there is a protest being held at 2 locations.

Queen's Park

Ottawa at the Supreme Court of Canada Building

The protests begin at 2 pm.

There will be guest speakers speaking about BSL and alternatives. There will be special guests performing some tricks and entertaining everyone.

Attached are posters for printing. If you would print some posters and post them around where you live, and forward this information to everyone in your address book, it would be much appreciated.

Hope to see you there!

The new plan claims that other breeds such as the German Shepherd, Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher should be restricted and forced to be leashed and muzzled in public under provisions within the Order to add breeds or types not currently covered. The same provision to add new breeds or types is also included in the DDA and although Defra claim to have no plans to add breeds or types they do state it is always under review.

Should the recommendation be acted on, the restrictions would bring Northern Ireland more in line with Southern Ireland which already requires the leashing and muzzling of American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepard (Alsation), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and to every dog of the type commonly known as the Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described. It will however retain the ban and mandatory destruction in relation to the American Pit bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasiliero.

I counted 13 breeds already on the list for Ireland.

Didn't see the Irish Wolfhound, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue, Glen of Imaal, Wheaten's, or Irish Setter's on the list. Better add them all as well. Apparently your aim is to become a CAT country.