It truly was a sad day in Mudville today when I opened my issue of Dogs In Canada. I really miss all the stats that DIC used to print in their monthly ‘Official Section’ and because of this I look forward to the ‘Dog & Litter Registrations’ issue and this month was it.
It was (to me) so sad to read that in 2008, in all of Canada, there were absolutely no registered American Staffordshire Terrier litters. Zero, zilch, nada!!The smaller in stature cousin to the AmStaff, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is still hanging in there with 21 registered litters in 2008, an increase from 20 in the previous year.
I wonder what’s going on with breeders across the country, in provinces where it’s still legal to breed AmStaffs?We need those breeders to keep their lines going, to help ensure that the breed doesn’t die off in Canada! We need actual breeders who know what they’re doing to make certain that temperaments are sound and stave off the backyard breeders that don’t care about temperament or the people buying their puppy mill puppies.
I enjoy reading statistics, but I’m really scared that my breed of choice, the AmStaff is on it’s way to becoming a statistic.
I wonder sometimes why people aren't in an uproar about the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision to uphold Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act. I guess it's because people can't get past the word "Pitbull". Since they can't get past that word and all of the preconceived notions they have about "pitbulls" people just don't seem to care. What is consistently being missed by the general public is the fact that if this decision stands, replace the word "pitbull" with anything.
Anything can now be banned with no real evidence that it is in the best interest of public safety. I find it absolutely astounding that people can't see that this is a huge erosion of rights in Canada.
Forget the word "pitbull". Not only because it isn't even a breed, or because people's perception of the breeds often referred to by this generic term are unfortunately biased due to a lack of accurate information about the breeds, but because if you can't get past that word, you can't see the larger issue at hand. The larger issue has huge implications for Canadians, and Canadians should be angry about this law and this ruling. To get an idea what I mean, try this exercise:
Replace "pitbull" with red cars. If there were several stories in the media covering accidents involving red cars would that mean that there were in fact more accidents involving red cars? Would it be expected that the government, before banning them, would be required to demonstrate with numerical data, not just the media reports, that red cars were more often involved in accidents? Would the argument, well, even if we can prevent one injury or death from a red car by banning them make sense? Is burgundy red? How about plum? Is it right for the government to choose which car colours you can have?
Replace "pitbull" with bicycle. If there were several stories about bicycle accidents in the media, would that be enough evidence to ban them? Would one automatically assume that cycling is too dangerous and should be banned? What if it was only a certain type of bicycle, like a mountain bike. Should mountain bikes be banned because there were some news reports of accidents involving them, without any other evidence showing that mountain bikes are dangerous?
I could go on forever, but you can fit in your own replacement words now, hopefully you get the point. With this precedent, anything from amplifiers to zippers can be banned. So why the hell aren't we Canadians more concerned about it. Think about your favourite item, animal, tool or whatever. If it were banned without appropriate evidence to show "reasoned apprehension of harm" how would you feel? Would you want others to help you stand up for your rights? Help dog owners stand up for theirs.
We need money. Lawyers don't work for free. Help us to stand up for our rights AND yours. Click the Donate button on the left of your screen. If a lot of people donate a little tiny bit - hey, I know it's tough financially right now, but these are your rights we're talking about - we can keep the challenge going. If not, we can't. It's that simple.
Somewhere on the Trans Canada highway between eastern Manitoba and the Ontario border a trek for the homeless has taken a slightly different path.
Kerry Pakarinen has walked over 2700 kilometres since July in his cross-Canada trek to raise funds and awareness for the plight of the homeless in Canada.
Accompanying him for the entire trip has been his faithful friend, his dog Preacher. Various news articles have described him as a "Mastiff" or "Bull Mastiff".
The DLCC is working alongside concerned dog owners and banding together to help Kerry and Preacher in any way they can, including clothes, food, blankets, etc, as the pair enter into the winter season crossing Ontario. Estimates suggest that they will be in that province for at least two months , on their way to Prince Edward Island.
Also of concern to dog owners countrywide are the often draconian anti-dog laws -- some of the worst in the country -- that Kerry and Preacher will encounter during his trek across Ontario. Both the vague provincial law enacted in 2005 and the bylaws of many cities and towns throughout the province may present a serious risk to both him and his dog. Dog owners would like to be there for him in case he runs into trouble.
We are currently in the process of contacting Kerry, but our best guess is that they will reach the border of Manitoba and Ontario (travelling eastbound) around November 12.
This Facebook group will keep people updated on the whereabouts of the adventurers, so that they can be greeted with assistance and kindness throughout their journey.
As soon as we contact Kerry, this site will be updated.
PLEASE help us locate this man and his dog.
We have set up a blog spot and facebook group for anyone to send in their information, should they be able to locate this team.
We need ALL dog owners to be on the look out. If you can find it in your heart to do up a care package for this couple, please do!
If you find him, please report back to this group as soon as possible.
Please join the facebook group HOMELESS PREACHER for the latest updates.
Kerry Pakarinen's dog Preacher resembles a pit bull, but no one seems sure exactly what breed he is. The duo are on a cross-country awareness walk for the homeless that will take them to Ontario, which bans pit bulls. (Nov. 12, 2008)
An article in the Toronto Star today explains the journey of a homeless man from Vancouver and his only friend, his dog Preacher. Kerry Pakarinen and Preacher are on a cross Canada awareness walk for the homeless and are due to cross through Ontario enroute to the east coast.
Here is an excerpt:
They've been welcomed everywhere and even received favourable coverage in print and on TV.
Unfortunately, the moment they cross into Ontario, one of them could face a death sentence.
Columnist Antonia Zerbisias also has a blog where she has written a kick butt article. To read that article click here. Please leave your comments.
Thanks Antonia for bringing this situation to light. It is imperative to warn Kerry of the dangers he and his dog Preacher face if he chooses to enter Ontario. This very well could save his dog's life! Preacher, like Rambo and hundreds of other dogs, are walking targets in this province (thanks to our incompetent government). A warning could save a huge heartache and tragic ending to a heartwarming story of courage.
Today is Remembrance Day, an important day. It's the anniversary of the end of WW1, 90 years ago this year. Canadians died, in that war and in others, defending freedom and democracy, and standing up against oppression and tyranny. As a country, we collectively remember those people who sacrificed their lives on this day each year. The lives of some given for the freedom of others. Dying so that others might have a brighter future. Entrusting those who remain to continue to defend freedom and democracy and oppose tyranny. We honour those soldiers on this day each year, but do we honour their legacy in our daily lives? Do we still defend freedom and democracy?
I believe that Canadians like to think that we do. We like to think of ourselves as a modern, peaceful, "nice", free and democratic, peacekeeping country. Yet it seems that in truth, Canadians are rather apathetic to giving up the rights and freedoms so hard fought for.
I don't know how many times those paying attention have to repeat that DOLA is not just about Pitbulls before it sinks into conscience the masses in this country. It is about rights and freedom, and it is just one of many examples of how Canadians are allowing governments to take away rights far too easily. It is actually an exceptionally good example of how this is happening, because it covers quite a few rights in one fell swoop, that have just been erased with DOLA and the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision to uphold it.
Search and seizure without a warrant. Guilty until proved innocent (reverse onus). Banning something due to "reasoned apprehension of harm" based not on evidence as one would expect, but based on media coverage. The inability to travel freely through the country as a Canadian citizen based on what the dog in the car looks like.
Here it is laid out once again for the masses: It's not about"Pitbulls" or even dogs! Of course it is to dog owners, but it's also about the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
Let me just clarify, for those of you who say that you have the right not to be attacked by a "Pitbull" (moot since the breed doesn't exist), of course you have that right. You have the right not to be attacked by ANY dog. What those of us challenging DOLA want, is to have fair laws that apply to ALL dogs, not bans. As the victim of a dog bite by a breed that was NOT one of the banned breeds or even "substantially similar", I'm quite insulted by breed specific laws, but I digress. Your right to not be attacked by one of the banned breeds or anything that looks similar should not trample my right to choose what kind of dog I own. Or my right to travel freely through my country. You can keep the right not to be attacked by a dog with short hair and a blocky head and NOT take away my right to own a dog with short hair and a blocky head. It is very possible for us to live in this country and not trample on each others rights, by following examples like Calgary's. There is absolutely no good reason to take away my right to own a dog of my choosing. It is completely unnecessary and does no good whatsoever and only serves power hungry politicians.
Okay, so back to how this isn't about the dogs, it's about rights and freedoms that were so hard fought for, ask yourself where do I see this heading? Can it be abused by the current or future authorities? Is it fair and enforceable? Does it offer a solution to a problem that doesn't interfere with the rights and freedoms of citizens? Before legislation is introduced, let alone passed, these questions should be asked.
When you have a law like DOLA, with reverse onus, search and seizure without a warrant, and the next to impossible task breed identification being left in the hands of unqualified Animal Control Officers, the answers to those questions should have been very clear: Down a dark path. Dogs will be killed based on appearance. Dog owners will be ostracized in their communities because forcing owners to muzzle to their dogs without reason will change how other people view the dogs. Dogs will be misidentified by ACOs and killed. Other breeds will be added as dog bites continue since evidence shows that bans are ineffective in reducing dog bites. It will be difficult and costly to enforce. It will not solve the problem of dog bites as irresponsible owners will simply choose other breeds or continue to own banned breeds in defiance of the law. Those were the answers to the questions that should have stopped DOLA. So why did it pass?
More answers to the question where is this heading? If we can ban breeds using media coverage of dog attacks and no other data, we can ban anything. If we can search and seize suspected "Pitbulls" without a warrant, we can do that with other things. We can ban cars that appear to have been modified for racing, whether they were racing or not and crush them. We can ban cellular phones and electronic devices in cars even though there are plenty of other laws covering undue care and attention while driving. What is next? Thin edge of the wedge I think, and I think the wedge could get pretty wide if this is allowed to continue.
Absolutely people need to be responsible with their dogs, their cars, and anything else that we do. We shouldn't ban golf clubs because some idiots use them to hit balls at cars. We shouldn't ban kitchen knives because some people use them for criminal activities. We shouldn't ban spray paint because some people use it to tag every surface they can find. Punish the action, not the item. Don't be quick to hand over your right to have golf clubs, cell phones, kitchen knives, baseball bats, spray paint or anything else because some people are irresponsible with those items.
Today, honour the soldiers. Think about all that they and their families sacrificed and why. Tomorrow, stand up for your rights as citizens of what should be a free and democratic country and continue to be vigilant about protecting those rights for future generations.
If the Ontario law stands, it could very easily spread like wildfire.Even if you don’t care about “pitbulls” ANYTHINGcan be banned if the courtdecision stands, with no evidence of “apprehension of harm”.
Warrantless Search & Seizure – Replace “Pitbull” with any other item or any breed of dog.Is it okay in Canada for authorities to be able to enter your home and seize it without a warrant?
Reverse Onus – Dogs are being misidentified every day by Animal Control Officers.If your dog is not a registered dog, and especially if it is short haired, it could be misidentified as a “Pitbull” and seized and killed.
In other parts of the world, LONG BACKED BREEDS, SHORT LEGGED BREEDS, SHORT FACED BREEDS, HAIRLESS BREEDS are on their way to being banned because the extreme Animal Rights movement is lobbying, saying it is cruel to continue breeding these dogs.I expect to see any breed with ANY genetic disease or fault added to that since the goal of this movement is for people to no longer have animals held in “slavery” domestic pets.
Breed Bans do nothing to keep people safe.In fact, in many areas where bans exist, bites have actually increased.The Netherlands rescinded their ban after 15 years because it was ineffective.Governments know that breed bans don’t work.They have been given the information by the experts, which leads one to believe that the only motive they have for a breed ban is the power to ban.
Non breed specific laws work.Calgary has a wonderful law.It works.Bites have decreased, licensing has increased.It is not breed specific and holds animal owners responsible for their pets.
I must say, I am breathing a sigh of relief today. The election south of the border is over and Obama slid in no problem. I was one of those who used to sort of like McCain (pre election campaign) but the choice of Palin as a running mate and selling his soul did me in. I was rather terrified that a potential candidate to run the good old US of A didn't seem to be able to get through an interview with Katie Couric never mind run the country.
I was rather fascinated by the Obama/Biden campaign. It is refreshing to see, rather brought me to tears several times to actually see a leader who has the ability to pull people together. To set an example that is so much larger than himself or his party. Hearing the familiar words spoken by Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".
To hear the words chanted YES WE CAN.
HOPE SUCCEEDED..
I think I have been watching too much Newsworld lately because I have this ticker tape running in my head. There is but one line running across the bottom of the screen in my mind.... Equality and fairness under the law.... Equality and fairness under the law....
Discrimination comes in many forms. In my naivety, the thought never crossed my mind that I too would one day be a target of discrimination based on the shape of dog I own. I never dreamt that one day I too would be part of a civil rights movement to take back my rights to own what type/shape or breed of dog I choose to own.
Fear mongering fosters a blindness toward the removal of civil rights. Think about that statement for a moment. When is the last time you watched the "news" in the main stream media and didn't hear about something was either bad for you or would be certain to kill you? Ban this, ban that. Don't do this, don't do that.. The list is endless and circular. The intent is to keep you in a constant state of panic and anxiety so you will want to tune in to the next newscast or read the next newspaper to see how you will possibly stay alive to see your kids grow up.
Yesterday was a breakthrough in hope, unity and equality that reaches far beyond the borders of the US. What happens in the USA doesn't stay in the USA. We are effected north of the border whether we like/acknowledge it or not. I couldn't help but feel part of the party. Obama's speech, in fact McCain's speech renewed my hope that maybe - just maybe - some common sense will begin to shine through like the sun poking through the clouds on a rainy day.
Here is another question to ask yourself..
How difficult is change; in the face of resistance to change and complacency?
Change is more often than not, a painful undertaking. The sustenance for change is the belief it is possible and a vision for the future.
Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. Martin Luther King Jr.
When I was a little girl, I thought that this country, Canada was fair, honourable, democratic, and a great place to live. I guess I'm a bit jaded now. I want to love my country; really I do. I was brought up that way, by parents and especially a father who loved this country, were fiercely proud to be Canadian, and believed there really was no where better to live.
Yikes! What happened to that fair and wonderful country? A court in Canada has ruled my dogs dangerous and unpredictable based on NO actual evidence, because of their physical characteristics. I am ashamed. Not of my dogs of course, my dogs are just dogs who happen to have short hair, blocky heads, and athletic bodies. They love everyone, and are responsible canine citizens. I am ashamed of my country.
The media in my country has betrayed me: They have gone from reporting facts to sensationalizing anything and everything that might sell more papers or increase ratings. It is no longer about news, it is about marketing.
The politicians have betrayed me: They don't want to pass laws that are effective and fair to everyone, they want to seize the spotlight in any way they can in order to attain or retain power. Given an option to do good with less attention, or create a buzz and do no good and a lot of harm, Ontario's politicians chose the latter: At the expense of the lives of puppies and dogs.
The court system has betrayed me: Allowing media reports to be used as though they were statistical data. Shameful and irresponsible. I can not use strong enough words to describe the sheer lack of diligence on the part of the court system in this country that allowed for the horrid, ill thought out and careless ruling in the Ontario Court of Appeal which has given governments of all levels the freedom to ban anything from Bullmastiffs to xylophones. I am absolutely disgusted.
For anyone who might think this doesn't matter because they don't care about "pitbulls" wake up. This isn't all about pitbulls. On the government side, it's about power and the ability to ban whatever they choose. The Ontario government must feel some euphoria from banning as it seems to be a favourite solution for them to cure whatever supposedly ails society. On the Animal Rights Activist side, it's about eliminating pets completely. Don't care about "Pitbulls", American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers? How about similar looking breeds? Think your breed will never be banned? Here's a news flash for some of you, there are movements out there to ban short legged breeds. Long backed breeds. Hairless breeds. Short faced breeds. How big of a leap is it to breeds that have had a history of genetic hip displaysia, or some other problem that can be largely fixed by careful screening? It isn't about one breed, or two or three. The movement pushing for "pitbull" bans is really pushing for the extinction of domestic pets. Canada, at least Ontario, is helping that movement along.
Another great unfair portion of this nonsense is financial. If we are to continue our fight against this unfair legislation, we need $ and we need it now. The government has deep taxpayer lined pockets - ironic being a have not province now - and we do not. We beg. We sell t-shirts and decals. We will not be able to see this through without more financial support. Please donate. Every penny counts. Help us see this through to the end, and maybe, just maybe, we can see some fairness come back to this country.
PEI Veterinary Medical Association The Farm Centre Building 420 University Avenue Charlottetown, PE C1A 7Z5
Thank you for your recent e-mail to the Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medical Association (PEIVMA) concerning elective surgeries such as ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal.
I ask that you bear with me with regard to this 'form' letter in response to your message. The PEIVMA council is comprised of volunteers with full-time careers and other commitments. Our e-mail address has been flooded with letters such as yours. It is not possible to answer all of them individually in a timely manner.
At present, a bylaw banning the surgeries mentioned above does not exist in the bylaws of the PEIVMA. However, because of the recent bylaw amendment in New Brunswick which makes performing these surgeries for cosmetic purposes "professional misconduct", this issue will be discussed at our upcoming annual general meeting.
There are no plans at this time for the PEIVMA to adopt such a bylaw. Should there ever be a proposed bylaw change by the members of the PEIVMA, all letters received will be considered.
I saw the subject title come up in my mailbox, “I Lost my Girlie” and I got chills. The AmStaff is one of the breeds included in the breed ban in Ontario; this title could mean one of two things, neither one good. To have your AmStaff wander off or escape the confines of a secure yard makes your blood turn to ice and panic starts to consume your mind. It is an extremely dangerous world out there now in “Onscario” for a missing AmStaff; owners and pets have been subjected to all kinds of atrocities since Bill 132 became law. Who knows what could happen to your pet all alone out there? If your dog is caught, she faces mandatory euthanasia or living out the rest of her life in a dog pound.
But to lose a beloved AmStaff to old age and ill health is heart-breaking and right now has a deeper impact on the owner left behind because of the ban that’s in place. A new Amstaff puppy would be a perfect solution to heal the pain of Tess’s passing; but with the current legislation this can’t legally happen.
Until Bill 132 is defeated, we AmStaff owners and lovers have no choice but to watch our breed of choice reduce in numbers one precious life at a time.
Tess is the lost girlie who lived a long 14 years and brought joy to her owner every day of her life. To her owner, she was one of the most beautiful souls she ever had the pleasure of knowing because she was extraordinarily gentle and loving. The last 6 months were hard on both Tess and her owner; old age is not for sissies no matter the species. She remained true to her breed to the bitter end, stoic and dignified and she still tried to play. She would grab at her canine sibling’s ankles as he passed by but didn’t get up from lying down. She would roll and do her snapping thing clicking her teeth together as if she were a land shark on crack but never made contact with anything but a pillow or blanket or any other benign object that wouldn’t scream ‘OW’.
So, we’ll say goodbye to Tess knowing that she’s at RainbowBridge, free to run and play, muzzle-less and know that there is no breed prejudice there.
