Category Archives: Outside of U.S.

Canadian legislator is trying to revive Bill 16, to overturn Ontario’s pit bull ban

Posted on February 20, 2013 by | 4 Comments

People have been working hard trying to get Ontario’s pit bull ban overturned.  Bill 16, a bill to repeal the ban, had tri-party support and was moving forward towards its 3rd reading. Then a hitch occurred when Premier Dalton McGuinty effectively killed all bills at the time by stepping down.

MPP Randy Hillier is trying to regain support to bring Bill 16, or Hershey’s Bill, back to its status before this happened.

He has created a petition for citizens to sign to ask the new Premier to reinstate the bill.

Another way to help comes from Hershey Anti BSL Group Facebook page:

“The Ontario Legislature is back to work! This is a link to a generic petition to repeal Ontario’s breed-specific legislation.

Want to help? Live in Ontario? Please 
1) print it out
2) sign it, maybe get your friends and family to sign it
3) Snail mail (or drop off) to: 

Cheri di Novo MPP
Room 115, Main Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A5

NOTE: You do not need a full sheet to make the petition count. Do not wait to accumulate a big pile, it is best to send them in in dribs and drabs. Each time they are presented in the House, even if it is just one sheet, they are read into the record, so the more the better.

Petitions to be presented to the Legislature must contain original signatures and the name and full address of the person signing, who must be a resident of Ontario. There is no age limit – children may sign petitions as well as adults.”

A printable version of the petition can be found here.

Residents of Ontario: Take action now so Hershey’s Bill can move forward and Ontario’s ban can be lifted.

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Posted in Canada, Outside of U.S., Proposal to Repeal

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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: City committee to discuss possible BSL repeal, March 19

Posted on October 17, 2012 by | 1 Comment

UPDATE:

EDMONTON – An amendment has been passed at City Council which eliminates the contentious Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) from Edmonton’s Animal Control Bylaw. The BSL section outlined that certain dogs were labelled “restricted” solely based on their breed.

Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Council eliminates Edmonton’s restricted breed legislation

The Community Services Committee is set to discuss the possibility of BSL repeal on March 19 at 9:30 AM. View the agenda and supporting documents. The supporting documents are a particularly interesting read.

Please continue to send RESPECTFUL correspondence that highlights the many problems with BSL, offers effective breed-neutral alternatives, and requests the removal of the breed-discriminatory language in the current ordinance.

City of Edmonton, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 2R7
Phone: 780-442-5311
E-mail: 311@edmonton.ca
Mayor contact form: http://webproxy.edmonton.ca/forms/Contact311/default.aspx
City Councillors: Councillors@edmonton.ca

Sadly, the following news article is fairly inaccurate. Contrary to the article headline, the city report did not make a recommendation to either keep or repeal the city’s BSL. The article made several other inaccurate statements. The supporting documentation at the agenda link, provided above, is a much more informative and accurate primary source.

Change dog breed restrictions: city report

BY TANARA MCLEAN, EDMONTON SUN
FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 05:07 PM MDT

City dog breed restrictions could be pooched in the near future.

A city committee is set to hear the pros and cons of whether or not changes should be made to current animal control bylaws. [...]

As it stands only two breeds are restricted under city laws — the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier. [...]

Full article retrieved 3/18/12 from http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/03/16/change-dog-breed-restrictions-city-report

All alerts for Edmonton: http://stopbsl.com/?s=edmonton

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Posted in Canada, Proposal to Repeal, Results of BSL

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Maple Ridge, BC, Canada: BSL proposed

Posted on October 17, 2012 by | Comments Off

UPDATE:

Maple Wood is moving forward with legislation that would hold owners of pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or crosses of any of the breeds to higher regsitration and ownership standards.

While this is not a ban, the need to continue sending POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE correspondence to Maple Wood officials is still at hand.

Contact info for Maple Ridge:
Mayor and Council, District of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Council meeting dates and agendas: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
To speak at the next council meeting, read the info on this page: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/contact_council.html

______________________________________________________________

MEETING REMINDER:

Today a City Council Workshop focusing on proposed breed specific legislation will take place at City Hall in the Blaney Room, 9:00 a.m.

_______________________________________________________

UPDATE:

Owners protest breed-specific bylaw in Maple Ridge

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News
Published: October 03, 2012 5:00 AM

More than 50 pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Dachshunds and even Shih Tzus took to the streets of downtown Maple Ridge with their owners Sunday afternoon to protest a proposed bylaw that would single out certain breeds as aggressive.

Two months ago, District of Maple Ridge staff recommended a bylaw that would single out pit bull breeds, such as Staffordshire terriers and American pit bull terriers, as “aggressive” and charge their owners a $200 licensing fee annually, four times that of other breeds. Pit bulls would also be required to be muzzled when off the owner’s property and would also be subject to higher impound fees.

[...]

Bylaws director Liz Holitzki said singling out pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls, in particular.

[...]The bylaw comes back before Maple Ridge council for discussion at a workshop meeting on Oct. 15, and Munz hopes councillors will have a change of heart and steer clear of any breed-specific language.

http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/172370101.html

______________________________________________

Proposed Maple Ridge bylaw to single out pit bulls

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News

Published: July 17, 2012 4:00 PM

District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.

The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees. [...]

Full article retrieved 7/17/12 from http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/162800096.html

Please send your RESPECTFUL correspondence to city council in opposition to a breed-specific bylaw. Please also include viable breed-neutral alternatives.

Contact info for Maple Ridge:
Mayor and Council, District of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Council meeting dates and agendas: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
To speak at the next council meeting, read the info on this page: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/contact_council.html

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Posted in BSL, BSL Proposed, Canada, Community Initiatives

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Maple Ridge, BC, Canada: BSL proposed

Posted on October 15, 2012 by | Comments Off

MEETING REMINDER:

Today a City Council Workshop focusing on proposed breed specific legislation will take place at City Hall in the Blaney Room, 9:00 a.m.

UPDATE:

Owners protest breed-specific bylaw in Maple Ridge

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News
Published: October 03, 2012 5:00 AM

More than 50 pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Dachshunds and even Shih Tzus took to the streets of downtown Maple Ridge with their owners Sunday afternoon to protest a proposed bylaw that would single out certain breeds as aggressive.

Two months ago, District of Maple Ridge staff recommended a bylaw that would single out pit bull breeds, such as Staffordshire terriers and American pit bull terriers, as “aggressive” and charge their owners a $200 licensing fee annually, four times that of other breeds. Pit bulls would also be required to be muzzled when off the owner’s property and would also be subject to higher impound fees.

[...]

Bylaws director Liz Holitzki said singling out pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls, in particular.

[...]The bylaw comes back before Maple Ridge council for discussion at a workshop meeting on Oct. 15, and Munz hopes councillors will have a change of heart and steer clear of any breed-specific language.

http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/172370101.html

______________________________________________

Proposed Maple Ridge bylaw to single out pit bulls

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News

Published: July 17, 2012 4:00 PM

District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.

The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees. [...]

Full article retrieved 7/17/12 from http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/162800096.html

Please send your RESPECTFUL correspondence to city council in opposition to a breed-specific bylaw. Please also include viable breed-neutral alternatives.

Contact info for Maple Ridge:
Mayor and Council, District of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Council meeting dates and agendas: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
To speak at the next council meeting, read the info on this page: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/contact_council.html

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Posted in BSL, BSL Proposed, Canada, Community Initiatives

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Maple Ridge, BC, Canada: BSL proposed

Posted on October 3, 2012 by | Comments Off

UPDATE:

Owners protest breed-specific bylaw in Maple Ridge

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News
Published: October 03, 2012 5:00 AM

More than 50 pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Dachshunds and even Shih Tzus took to the streets of downtown Maple Ridge with their owners Sunday afternoon to protest a proposed bylaw that would single out certain breeds as aggressive.

Two months ago, District of Maple Ridge staff recommended a bylaw that would single out pit bull breeds, such as Staffordshire terriers and American pit bull terriers, as “aggressive” and charge their owners a $200 licensing fee annually, four times that of other breeds. Pit bulls would also be required to be muzzled when off the owner’s property and would also be subject to higher impound fees.

[...]

Bylaws director Liz Holitzki said singling out pit bulls is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership. While both the district and SPCA receive complaints about problem dogs of all breeds, there is significant public concern about pit bulls, in particular.

[...]The bylaw comes back before Maple Ridge council for discussion at a workshop meeting on Oct. 15, and Munz hopes councillors will have a change of heart and steer clear of any breed-specific language.

http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/172370101.html

______________________________________________

Proposed Maple Ridge bylaw to single out pit bulls

By Robert Mangelsdorf – Maple Ridge News

Published: July 17, 2012 4:00 PM

District of Maple Ridge staff are recommending a new dog bylaw that singles out pit bulls as “aggressive” and would charge their owners a licensing fee four times that of other breeds.

The fee would apply to pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, or a cross of any of the breeds.

Pit bull owners would be required to pay a $200 “aggressive dog” licensing fee annually, and require their dog to be muzzled when off the owner’s property. Pit bulls would also be subject to higher impound fees. [...]

Full article retrieved 7/17/12 from http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/162800096.html

Please send your RESPECTFUL correspondence to city council in opposition to a breed-specific bylaw. Please also include viable breed-neutral alternatives.

Contact info for Maple Ridge:
Mayor and Council, District of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329
mayorandcouncil@mapleridge.ca
Council meeting dates and agendas: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
To speak at the next council meeting, read the info on this page: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/contact_council.html

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Posted in BSL, BSL Proposed, Canada, Community Initiatives

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Sydney, AU – Victoria Dog Victim’s Family Back Breeding Ban

Posted on September 28, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Lazor and Nick Josevski contributed to Ayen Chol’s death in 2011, according to Victorian Coroner Kim Parkinson.

Parkinson found the owners of “Rex”, an American Pit Bull, failed to follow existing laws requiring their dog be registered, desexed, microchipped and secured at their property.

Ayen died in her St. Albans home in 2011 when Rex escaped through an open door from his owners property.  Rex attacked Ayne’s aunt and 5 year old cousin before turning on her.

In a statement released through their attorney, Ayen’s family said, “Ayen died because the dog owners failed to comply with the law.”

Coroner Parkinson has recommended that criminal sanctions apply to breeders of restricted breed dogs and that the onus of establishing whether a dog is classified as such rest on the woner rather than on authorities.  She also recommended mandatory reporting by veterinarians of any restricted breed or suspected restricted breed dog which is unregistered, not desexed and not microchipped as required by law.

Ayen’s family asked the Government through their statement released by Attorney Ike Nwokolo, “I would encourage and ask on behalf of the family that the government put in place the recommendations.”

According to the coroner’s report, Zlate Lazarovski supplied Rex to his cousin Nick, therefore also contributing to Ayen’s death because he knew the dog breed was restricted and his breeding was unauthorized.

The Australian Veterinary Association did not support mandatory reporting of restricted breeds by Veterinarians, saying it is not possible to definitively identify a pit bull and stated the recommendations could discourage owners from seeking care for their animals leading them to suffer needlessly.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8540047

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Posted in Australia, Breed Identification, BSL

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UPDATE: Australia- Dangerous Dog Laws Fail to Accomplish Convictions

Posted on September 25, 2012 by | 3 Comments

Second Council reports coming as a result of the one year anniversary of the Domestic Animals Act anniversary:

WYNDHAM Council has not seized any restricted breed dogs under tougher dangerous dog laws brought in a year ago.

But it is investigating two dog attack-related matters for court action.

It has been a year since the State Government introduced tough new legislation covering dangerous dogs.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Are the new laws working? Tell us below. 

The regulations were dubbed “Ayen’s law” after four-year-old St Albans girl Ayen Chol, who was killed by an unregistered pit bull cross.

Owners of dangerous, menacing or restricted dogs can face jail if their dog kills a person.

Since the legislation came into effect, the Wyndham Council has not seized any dangerous dogs.

There are 31 registered restricted breed dogs in Wyndham.

The council said it had inspected properties where dangerous dogs were being kept.

No dogs have been surrendered or euthanised, acting chief executive Bill Forrest said.

Since January 1, 127 dog attacks have been reported to the council.

“Wyndham City rangers are currently investigating two dog attack incidents, both involving minor injuries on other dogs,” Mr Forrest said.

http://wyndham-leader.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/no-dogs-seized-in-wyndham/

 

According to news out of Moonee Valley, a small area located within Melbourne, Victoria, Australia has received 24 reports of suspected dangerous dogs since changes to the 1994 Domestic Animals Act went into affect almost a year ago.

The changes stipulated only restricted-breed dogs registered before September 30th, 2011 would be allowed to stay in Victoria.

The revised law, which was made effective September 1st of last year, required registration, spay/neuter and microchipping of existing dogs that would have to be secured in an enclosure with warning signs.

Two unregistered ‘restricted breed’ dogs have been identified within the past year according to Council Chief Executive Neville Smith.  One of the two was voluntarily surrendered by the owner while the second is currently awaiting a court ruling while in the custody of officials.

Only four restricted dogs and one cross-breed are currently registered in Moonee Valley.

“While we have experienced dog attacks in Moonee Valley, the majority of these have not involved dogs that the State Government have classified as restricted breed dogs,” Smith said.  “This is a complex issue and counsil understand community concerns regarding dangerous breeds of dogs and their potential to harm.”

http://moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dog-laws-show-bite-moonee-valley-stats-show/

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Posted in Australia, BSL, Results of BSL

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