Pit Bull ban suspended until Wed

[Catherine]

This is good news. The Pit Bull ban has been suspended until at least Wed.  There are lots of arguments being heard, many in favour of the Pit Bulls.


http://news.google.ca/news/url?sr=1&ct2=...t=1&at=dt0


Fighting this as a Charter of Rights and Freedoms issue is good. It would be better if they would face the fact that breed specific bans do not protect people from dog bites.

[Tobi]

That will be a ray of hope for those who have pit bull or pit crosses in their family.

My feeling is, a dog should be assessed on an individual basis, not as a blanket ban.
Public muzzling is a good idea? Now why can't that be enforced for any dog with possible aggression issues? Or any breed under suspicion? There is no harm in a soft muzzle when out on a walk, or at the vet's. If that were law there would be no harm in it, and no dog wearing a muzzle can do any damage to anyone or other dogs.

[Catherine]

The muzzle idea is good. There are lots of non pit bull dogs that should not be allowed to roam free. There are aggressive dogs and there should be laws to compel the owners to be responsible. That is a more balanced approach than a breed ban.


The fight is still on and the ban  is not a done deal.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...5766,d.eWE
Good for the  SPCA that they are fighting this. There is a chance that the legislation will never go through. That would be best.

[Tobi]

Even if it is unfair, even if there is no chance to assess individual dogs, then a muzzle law (in public) for any breed would be far better than euthanasia, or being separated from their families. A dog can get used to wearing a soft muzzle when on walks just as any dog can get used to wearing a collar or harness.

We can not eliminate dog bites and dog attacks by BSL. They will still happen.

[Catherine]

The muzzle idea for some dogs is a good way to protect people and other dogs. Some people will always find a way to have an out of control dog. It doesn't matter what breed. They either have no ability to train a dog or else they want a dangerous dog and encourage the dog to be that way.  We need legislation to target the bad owners.

The other half of the solution is to train people how to act around dogs. Many of the small child incidents involve the child being alone with the dog. I would not leave a baby on the floor with a dog until I was sure that it would be safe. Small children have high pitched screams and that can sound like a prey animal. It is not just pit bulls that respond to that.

There is talk of pushing to remove the Toronto pit bull ban. There are less pit bulls and more dog bites. Clearly the ban has not worked.