Breed-Specific BC

I'm working on a sister blog, sort of, to this one called 'Breed-Specific BC.' I originally wanted to make a website out of the idea, but unfortunately due to a lack of funds I won't be able to purchase the hosting needed for another website, and to be honest, as long as the information is there on the net I don't see why it needs it's own domain name.

I'm hoping to make it the go-to source for all information regarding BSL in the province. Whether someone is looking to move, or are just traveling, or just want to keep up with the news, etc, all the information will be there and be kept up-to-date. There will be a list and a map including all areas that have some form of BSL, or have had it/are thinking about it, and what exactly those restrictions are whether it's an all out ban or a muzzling rule. I'll also be updating it with news on the Ontario legislation, hopefully as we all know we're hoping on looking towards a retraction of the province-wide pit bull ban. But for now, I plan on only doing as much as I can handle, this means keeping the blog updates to just Ontario and news regarding BSL changes in BC. It is possible that once I get into the rythm of things I'll slowly work on expanding the website to different provinces.

I'll be posting links to the blog once completed. I'm excited to know a lot of people will find it very useful!

EDIT: I have started the blog, you can find it here at http://breedspecificbc.blogspot.ca/ If you have any information pertaining to the BSL in the province, or anything else you believe may contribute to the blog, please send me an e-mail at: damnradioman@hotmail.com

Otherwise, as I've stated before (in the 'about' section) this blog was originally intended to be used as a storing place for all my informative pit bull and BSL rants/articles I wrote geared towards educating my friends & family via facebook. However, I'm now looking at expanding this blog by including various updates on Damon (my own dog,) the rescues and shelters I work with/volunteer for, and just in general my life related to dog stuff to make this more of my personal blog.

Thanks for reading thus far, and I hope you continue!

B(ull) S(hit) Law

This is possible my favorite quote that truly sums up the political reality of just what breed-specific legislation really is:

"Just because a dog of a particular breed, or a particular breed type, is viscous does not mean that any other members if that same breed will act in the same manner. Certainly "shotgun"-approach legislation violates more than the rights of a dog; such broad-brush prohibitions run counter to the foundations of freedom on which the United States was founded. We are indeed a country of laws, but we are not automatically a country of lawbreakers. Dogs that have been caught in the gill net legislative approach that does away with entire breeds of dogs and not with specific wrongdoers is not in keeping with individual rights. All citizens of conscience deplore dog bites and dog attacks on children and other innocent individuals. To automatically ban all dogs because of the actions of a few or even only one dog smacks of something that deeply threatens the foundations of our freedoms. The guarantee of due Constitutional safeguards were designed to prevent an erosion of individual rights while protecting the general public."

-Joe Stahlkuppe, The American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook

Brush up on BSL

"Breed-specific legislation is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws or ordinances pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds."

Think these laws will not affect you because you do not own a dog on the list? Think again!

Linked below are two very real stories that came out of Ontario's BSL in 2005 when this bill was first implemented. If you do not wish to read the full stories (both regarding 3 different types of breeds all OTHER than the pit bull terrier,) at least take a look at the summary of the Ontario's 'Dog Owners Liability Act' below:

"The law defines a "pit bull" as a pit bull terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier, an American Pit Bull Terrier, or a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those dogs. If your dog appears to be in this category and your dog lived in Ontario on August 29, 2005, or was born in Ontario before November 27, 2005, you own a "restricted dog". Restricted dogs must be muzzled, leashed, and sterilized. If your dog appears to be in this category and it was born in Ontario after November 26, 2005, or was brought into Ontario after August 29, 2005, your dog is illegal. It could be confiscated and destroyed and you could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to up to six months in jail."

The stories below are merely a glimpse into the kind of struggles dog owners of nearly EVERY breed were faced with, or faced with the fear of due to this completely and utterly irresponsible and unjustified legislation, that manages to both AVOID the real problem, while also stripping innocent dog owners of some of their basic constitutional rights and freedoms.

Persecution Ontario Style:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/breedbanspersecutionontariostyle.htm

When is a Labrador Retriver a pit bull:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/breedbanslabradormistake.htm