Bully for Cheri DiNovo!

I'll spare you the Michael Bryant jokes circulating in Ontario's pit bull-loving circles.

All I will say is, the former Liberal attorney-general who championed the misguided legislation that banned bully breeds from the province at least gets a court hearing to defend himself from charges of ''criminal negligence causing death'' and ''dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death'' in connection with his fatal run-in with cyclist Darcy Sheppard.

Any pit bull charged with killing a person just biting gets an immediate date with the needle.

Not that there has been more than one fatal mauling in recent memory.

At least not by a pit bull.

In fact, since Bryant's tragic legislation passed in 2005 -- against the advice of more than 45 experts, including humane societies, breeders and trainers -- there have been five reported fatal maulings in Canada, and only one involved a dog possibly with some pit bull type heritage.

Here are the stats. Roll back through the years. See which dogs are the most dangerous. It ain't pitties, despite their reputation and ubiquity.

Yeah, I'd be look at my Husky or German Shepherd right now, if I were you. Or my Chow. Or my Akita, a breed that, frankly, terrifies me -- but only because, of the three I have known, all were owned by idiots who didn't exercise them enough, didn't neuter them, kept them chained all day and/or had no idea how to train a dog.

Actually, I wouldn't be suspicious of ANY breed, despite the numbers. That's because ANY dog can be dangerous, even the much loved Golden Retriever.

Unfortunately for ''pit bulls'' -- and I use that term advisedly since there's no such breed -- they are the urban dog of choice, used by some as weapons because pitties are eager to please their masters, and are bred  indiscriminately by morons who never neuter or properly care for them.They may be responsible for more bites -- but not because they are inherently dangerous but because there are more of them owned by idiots.

Idiots who don't follow the law anyway, and often use the dogs for fighting, which is illegal.

And by the way? Pit bulls are known not only for their strength and tenaciousness but also for their loveability. They are so eager to please that, even when they're owned by evil people who toss them into the ring for sport, even when the dogs are broken and bleeding, they turn to their masters and try to win their approval.

I know bunches of these dogs and I completely trust them, and their owners. Much more than I trust many other dogs on my street, or in the nearby park. (Actually it's their irresponsible owners  that I don't trust.)

But the media never report on these other dogs, just the demonized pit bull.

If their poor dogs slip out the gate, they're as good as dead. They'll be seized and euthanized. No trial. No chance.

If a shelter takes in a vicious dog of another breed, it will work to rehabilitate that dog and make it adoptable. Pitties will be euthanized. No trial. No chance.

If a pit bites somebody, it will be euthanized. No trial. No chance. Not even if the dog was provoked.

And yet other dogs get away with biting all the time.

Even if Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan (at right ) would come to Ontario with his star attraction, Daddy, the dog could also be seized and euthanized.

Over 5,000 pitties have been euthanized in Ontario since 2005.

Humans have long demonized some animal or another. Whether we're talking wolves in the 18th century, or sharks since Jaws, or now it's coyotes, at least in Canada. As for dog breeds, in my youth, Dobermans were the dogs to fear.

It's always something.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to express my admiration for NDP MP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) who today introduced a private member's bill at Queen's Park to eliminate the breed specific parts of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, those sections prohibiting restricted pit bulls and providing for controls on pit bulls.

It passed first reading, an excellent sign -- although Premier Dalton McGuinty, who oversaw the passage of Bryant's original bill, still doesn't get it.

"It's the deed, not the breed," DiNovo told reporters.

Lawyer Clayton Ruby, who has argued unsuccessfully in court against the law, added: "The craziness is in thinking how you can judge a dog's dangerousness by how he looks."

Premier Dalton McGuinty disagreed, saying, "It's about public safety. We got the best advice we could, and put in place legislation which we think upholds public safety. "

Oh really? I wonder if he Premier McGuinty could be more specific on that expertise?

Why did DiNovo do it?

''The time for the fear of pit bulls has come and gone,'' she told me.

Besides, she has an eight month old British bull terrier named Victoria, and she worries that her pup could be next on the dog gone list.

Showing up to support her today were some 60 pittie owners, some with their dogs, who are determined to get rid of this cruel legislation which has caused some very good people unspeakable heartbreak -- and has resulted in the needless death of so many dogs and even newborn puppies, many of them cherished pets.

Toronto pit bull owners fighting this legislation have a Facebook group, here. (The photo of DiNovo with her supporters is from the site.)

If you're a true dog lover, you will recognize the unfairness and stupidy of this law, and help them save their dogs.

Other jurisdictions have woken up to the cruelty of pit bull specific legislation.

Why can't Ontario?

Please help these people. Please help these dogs.

Support DiNovo. Write your MPP. Tell McGuinty he's barking up the wrong tree.

UP WITH BULLIES DATE: I just read my friend Laura's touching story. You should too.

Comments

[The Stygian and his Shemitish Dogs]

"I'll spare you the Michael Bryant jokes circulating in Ontario's pit bull-loving circles. "

aaw why?

[Jason Hickman]

I'm with you on this one. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife, I'm happy to say) startled me years ago by saying she was going to get a Doberman.

My response of "If you want to break up, just say so - no need for an attack dog!" was based on believeing the bad press that Dobermans have received, plus the fact that they're usually depicted as savages in film, TV, etc.

I'm thrilled to say that I was 100% wrong to think that way about Dobermans: while Dobes can certainly be intimidating, they're also absolutely loyal & loving. As with any bigger and/or stronger dog, you need to know what you're doing when you raise a Dobe, and they aren't necessarily designed for small apartments, etc. But despite all the negative hype, I'd have no problem recommending a Dobe to a proper home.

I always thought that this sort of breed-specific legislation was stupid, and I hope DiNovo gets her bill all the way through.

[Amy]

Finally a article which states truth and fact about these wonderful dogs! I do hope other media outlets wake up and realize the truth.

[Brigitte Nagy]

Great Article!!!!!
Kudos to Cheri for all her help, to responsible dog owners of ALL breeds!
and congrats on your accurate and informative article too!

[Heatherly Squires]

I second that comment...

YOU GO GIRLFRIEND !!!!

We are all with you 10,000,000,000 %

I may never have owned a Pit but know some who do...they are absolutely wonderful, dedicated, loyal, loving dogs :)

If it weren't for this stupid "BSL" law going thru...I would own a Pit now !!!!

I own 2 dogs currently; an almost 9 year old German Shep/Husky cross breed named Sheba, been a loyal, loving, never ever aggressive to anyone in her life dog, and we recently adopted a 2 yr old Rotty/Shepherd mix from PET SAVE here in Sudbury, Ontario named HoneyBear. I have had her almost a year now..she is great, easy to train, extremely smart, and loves kids and people and furry friends. They both live w 2 older cats in pure harmony.
Get that evil bill overturned asap !!!

I absolutely love this video....it gives me hope for these beauties :)

I am a HUGEEEEEEEE dog whisperer fan..love Cesar..he is THE best dog trainer in the world...have learned alot from him. And you so adequately put...his famous dog "DADDY" who is pure pit bull would never be allowed in this province because of his breed - so unfair. This dog is now in his senior years...have seen shows where other dogs (not always Pits) have attacked Daddy on his shows..and Daddy has never retaliated yet. So if this doesn't show what good owners can do with a great breed....what does.

It is indeed bad owners, irresponsible owners, untrained owners that should definitely without a doubt be punished for their actions...not the dogs. Dogs of all breeds...are just happy to please anyone especially their owners. Why judge them on their looks, if you start banning pits, it will just start with that...other breeds shown "can" be aggressive...will be banned...my god...it will never end.

PUNISH THE BAD OWNERS...NOT THE BREED PLEASE

ALL OWNERS AND OUR FURRY FRIENDS ALIKE....PLEAD WITH OUR MPP'S TO OVERTURN THIS BILL ONCE AND FOR ALL. PLEASE FOLLOW OTHER CITIES/ PROVINCES/COUNTRIES WHO HAVE FINALLY SEEN THE LIGHT...AND REVERSED THE BILL IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

[Fran Coughlin]

Breed bans do NOT create RESPONSIBLE dog owners. So many people and their great dogs have instead been stigmatized and segregated. There is not one single professional organization that was for this ban. I heard Dalton on the news saying "we got the BEST advise we could". However what was NOT said was that HE totally IGNORED that advice.

43 Experts were AGAINST the ban. They had ONE "expert" testify for the ban and THAT expert was a "dog walker".

Duh?
I wonder why "those" facts above were not brought out by the media.

[oneacd]

Thanks for speaking up for this persecuted minority Antonia! Far too many unknown mixes and wonderful family pets have been abandoned and executed because they might be "pit bulls".
I wish McGuinty et al would quite lying about consulting "experts". ALL the experts (I was at the hearings and they can be read on Hansard) were against the Bill. A dogwalker, a couple of people who'd had run-ins with problem dogs, and an American animal control officer were the only ones for it. So what experts is he talking about?!
If he wanted a Canadian example of good laws that actually work, he SHOULD have listened to Bill Bruce of Calgary. Bites are down, loose dogs are down, fatalities are non-existant and there is not a breed-specific word in their dog owners law. Its about humans taking responsibility not killing some dogs with biggish heads and short coats.

[Sarah]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

"Pit-Bulls" and those dogs which are "substantially similar" are being targeted, and all dogs born after the ban went into effect are being euthanized, or sent out of province. People seem to think we are simply fighting for the right to not have to muzzle the dogs. As far as i'm concerned, I will do what it takes to protect my dog, and I would have spayed her regardless of the law. The breed is being eradicated in this province, and it is genocide. Healthy puppies are being killed, simply due to their appearance, and mixed dogs are being removed from loving responsible homes and euthanized, due to them looking "kinda" like a Pit Bull.
I will be there supporting Cheri Di Novo every step of the way. Thank you for writing a sincere article which doesn't support the fear mongering and actually focuses on the issues.

[Anne JW]

Antonia, thank you SO much for this post, specifically for writing about bite statistics. Disclosure: I have owned (or been owned by) four Dobermans and known many more; therefore I know that they're the best dogs in the world. ;) An anecdote: when we were about to get our first Doberman pup, we spoke to our vet (who was already caring for our cats) to make sure that he would be willing to care for a Doberman. He said that Dobermans were wonderful dogs, and the ones to watch out for were German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels. Stats at that time certainly backed him up.

All of the so-called pit bulls that I've met have been lovely, friendly, strong, strong-willed dogs. People who are more knowledgeable and more articulate have already said it, but it bears repeating: dogs are wonderful, and it is the responsibility of their humans to ensure that the dogs are brought up to be good canine citizens. All best wishes to DiNovo. Does an out-of-province letter to the MPP help?

[neko]

As a toddler, I was hunted and attacked by a Doberman.

It wasn't the dogs fault, although I do understand that it paid the ultimate price after attacking another child later.

I watched my first dog (German Shepherd) swallow his fear and defend me and a child my Mother babysat from our neighbors Shepherd. The dog was insane, trying to knock down a 6ft fence to get at us for no reason other than years of being chained in the backyard with no socialization or excersize had driven it mad.

Any dog, of any breed (or no breed at all), is a wonderful companion to have in your life.

Any person, through intention or negligence, can screw up a dog in no time flat.

It's never the dog, it's the owner.

[Liz Sullivan]

MPP Cheri DiNovo is to be commended, Kudo's to a true champion.

I sat in the Legislative Assembly for the reading of his bill, and was encourged, when a couple of the Liberals actually "APPLAUDED" her, one saying "It was about time, someone had the nerve to take on this rediculous law as it was a mistake from the beginning" So those attending did see a glimmer of hope!

Sadly a couple said "No Way". We can only try to educate those MPP's who bought into the lies and deception, and did not read or research what they voted on. (Did they know even Dalton owned one of these breeds at one time).

Please I emplore anyone who has any humanity in them, to get involved, and make sure you write your MPP asking them to support Cheri is this very worthy cause. Somehow the slaughter of our canine friends must be stopped.

Antonia, this article ROCKED, like you do

[Louise St.Pierre]

Hurray for THE TRUTH!!!!!!! Pitbulls are amazing dogs just like any other dog. It's the owners not the dogs.........we'll say it a zillion times until IGNORANT PEOPLE GET IT.

[Laura K]

Thank you for being a voice for justice and sanity!