Breed Specific Legislation
Breed Specific Legislation (“BSL”) is used to restrict, ban and/or eliminate certain types of dogs, purebred or mixed. It can include anything from requiring special licensing of a breed (breed restriction) to the total ban of certain breeds.
Ontario’s province-wide ban targets American Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The term “pit bull” terrier was incorporated into the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (“DOLA”) to mean “a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to …”. Therefore, mixed breed dogs possessing ANY of these physical characteristics can be labeled a “pit bull”. Recent amendments to DOLA have increased penalties for owners by doubling fines up to $10,000 and allow for jail sentences of up to 6 months.
Ontario’s province-wide ban targets American Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The term “pit bull” terrier was incorporated into the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (“DOLA”) to mean “a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to …”. Therefore, mixed breed dogs possessing ANY of these physical characteristics can be labeled a “pit bull”. Recent amendments to DOLA have increased penalties for owners by doubling fines up to $10,000 and allow for jail sentences of up to 6 months.
Source: SupportHersheysBill.com
How You Can Help
1. Print the petition. Sign it, get others to sign it. Send it to Cheri DiNovo, MPP or Randy Hillier, MPP
2. Call, write and email the Premier of Ontario and your local MPP. Ask them to remove the breed-specfic portions of the Dog Owners' Liability Act. Ask them to restore fair and equal treatment of all dog owners across Ontario. Find out who your MPP is here. See sample letter for ideas.
3. Join the cause at Ban the pit bull ban
2. Call, write and email the Premier of Ontario and your local MPP. Ask them to remove the breed-specfic portions of the Dog Owners' Liability Act. Ask them to restore fair and equal treatment of all dog owners across Ontario. Find out who your MPP is here. See sample letter for ideas.
3. Join the cause at Ban the pit bull ban
Source: SupportHersheysBill.com
