Support Hershey's Bill - join the rally at Queen's Park this Saturday, Oct. 1

On August 25, 2005, a great wrong was perpetuated by the Liberal majority - an amendment to the Dog Owners Liability Act ("DOLA") was amended to include Bill 132 (Breed Specific Legislation). Based on innuendo, media hysteria and rumour, dogs who, in the opinion of unqualified personnel met the criteria of "pit bull" (a NON-breed) were categorically condemned to die.  From that point on, any innocent pups born that roughly met the description of "pit bull" were slated to die (or worse, sent to research facilities) based entirely on suppositions that overwhelming evidence has shown to be erroneous.  

Despite being faced with testimony that clearly and emphatically showed (a) there IS not a "pit bull breed" - but in fact the so-termed "pit bull" encompasses a variety of breeds, including:

 Staffordshire Bull Terrier,

an American Staffordshire Terrier

or

an American “pit bull” Terrier.

Further, expert after expert has testified that the BREED of a dog is NOT the issue; that ANY dog can and will bite dependent on the circumstances.  It is the OWNERS who are the issue, NOT the dogs.

As case after case has shown, arbitrary designations of "pit bull" and subsequent seizures have meant innocent dogs have been wrenched from loving, responsible owners and condemned to death.  It wasn't that long ago that Ginger was in the news (as eloquently put by Brindle Stick) or the infamous bungling of Hamilton Animal Control, when for no discernible reason other than the officers thought they "looked like pit bulls", two affectionate, loving and non-aggressive BOXER mixes were seized and Rambo and Brittany's owners were launched into a maelstrom of "proving" their dogs weren't on the banned list.

What's the common denominator in this and most of the other stories that have made it to the news over the past many years?  The dogs seized were seized based on their LOOKS alone - not because they were aggressive, not because they were considered dangerous, NOT because there had been any complaints.  They were condemned to death ONLY because a loosely couched law says they could be.

Take a look and see if you too and Find the pit bull:  - bet you can't!

MPP Cheri diNova has courageously stepped up and spoken for all the silent voices. She has refused to back down from the ill-informed, bullying Liberals with their hysterical, crowd-pleasing tactics to create fear and hysteria and garner votes and said STOP.  Introducing as a private member's bill, Bill 60 (known as Hershey's Law) would repeal the BSL portion of the DOLA.

Go to http://supporthersheysbill.com/ for more information. Among the recommendations are the following:

• We support responsible legislation that holds irresponsible owners adequately accountable for their dogs’ actions.
•  We support MPP Cheri DiNovo who has tabled Hershey’s Law (aka) Bill 60
•  We support the recommendations of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada (DLCC).
•  We support the research of the National Canine Research Council.
•  We support the By Laws and Programs of the Calgary Animal Services
• We  call for Bill 132 to be overturned and replaced with responsible legislation that promotes responsible ownership for all breeds, and places the blame where it clearly belongs, on irresponsible dog owners, animal abusers and those who participate in dog fighting or support it. (my emphasis)

 It just makes sense.  NO dogs are by nature born mean. NO Dogs are born "naturally" aggressive.  Owners are the issue - NOT the dog- and certainly not the breed.

Join the rally this weekend, Saturday, October 1 at Queen's Park and let your voice speak for the innocent voices that cannot speak for themselves.