FW: [BSL-UPDATES] People, not dogs, the problem (Ontario, Canada)

People, not dogs, the problem: DiNovo
McGuinty said he's not repealing ban


Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo is calling for the elimination of the province-wide pit bull ban in effect since August 2005.

DiNovo tabled a bill Wednesday repealing the McGuinty government's breed specific aspect of the dangerous dog legislation.

"It's a terrible piece of legislation," said DiNovo in an interview Tuesday night, on the eve of a rally that was held at Queen's Park, attracting such activists as the Dog Legislation Council of Canada (DLCC), which promotes and supports responsible dog ownership and lobbies for non-breed-specific dangerous dog laws.

DiNovo said she was inspired to take action since she participated in a DLCC event this past summer. She is the owner of British Bull Terrier. At issue, said DiNovo, is the fact that the pit bull is a mish-mash of breeds. It is described as an animal with a broad snout, muscular, short chest and short coat and long tail. This definition is similar to 40 per cent of all dogs.

"If you took away the tail, you'd be describing most of the politicians at Queen's Park," quipped DiNovo.

The law should cover the "deed not the breed," she said.

"It's a badly drafted piece of legislation," said DiNovo.

Addressing the media Wednesday at Queen's Park, the premier said he wasn't open to lifting the ban. Asked whether or not he thought Ontarians are crying out for a repeal, he replied, "not to my knowledge."

"It's about public safety. We got the best advice we could and put in place legislation we think upholds public safety," said McGuinty. Nevertheless, DiNovo remains positive that the ban will be overturned.

"There's always a good chance," she said citing the NDP's success in raising the minimum wage to $10 as an example. "The government will bow to pressure."

Besides, an election year is fast approaching in 2011.

Despite the fact that statistics show that in the four years since the ban has been in effect fatal dog attacks have been on the rise in Ontario, but incidences are extremely rare, DiNovo pointed out. And, none of the reported cases of attacks have involved pit bulls.
DiNovo said she would like Ontario to follow in the footsteps of jurisdictions like the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden where breed specific legislation has been revoked - for the simple reason that it has not alleviated the problem of dog attacks.

"All breed specific bans do is harm owners and dogs," she said. "It's kind of a grudge law. Yes, we should have violent dog legislation, but we should go after the dog, no breed specific stuff."

The most popular and beloved dog show since Lassie, The Dog Whisperer, hosted by dog trainer Cesar Milan, features a pit bull as the trainer dog, said DiNovo.

"People are the problem, not the dogs," she said.

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/216438--people-not-dogs-the-problem-dinovo