Ontario First in North America With Law to Ban Pit Bulls

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, October 28, 2004 (ENS) - The Ontario government has introduced legislation to ban pit bull terriers and toughen penalties for the owners of any dog that poses a danger to the public. If passed, the legislation would be the first of its kind in North America.

Announcing the legislation Monday, Attorney General Michael Bryant said, "We heard loud and clear that Ontarians want to be protected from the menace of pit bulls. If passed, the amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act would protect Ontarians not only from these dangerous dogs, but from irresponsible owners."

Formally called American Pit Bull Terriers, the breed can be trained to fight, but other dogs are sweet and gentle. (Photos courtesy Spindletop)

"Those who currently own pit bulls will be able to keep their dogs," said Bryant. "However, these dogs will have to be muzzled and on leashes while in public, and spayed or neutered. Municipalities can also add further restrictions."

The proposed legislation is designed to avoid a patchwork of bans created by individual municipalities throughout the province, and support municipal governments while respecting their authority under the Municipal Act.

"AMO appreciated an opportunity to advise the minister on how to implement the Province's pit bull ban in a manner that is practical, effective and affordable for Ontario municipalities and we know that the minister will continue to work with us as the legislation proceeds," says Roger Anderson, president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

"A weight has been lifted from my shoulders knowing that this legislation will reduce the chances of someone else being viciously attacked by a pit bull as I have," said Darlene Wagner, a letter carrier in Chatham who lost her right ear and broke both wrists as a result of an attack by two pit bulls. "I commend the attorney general for taking action and banning this particularly menacing breed of animal across Ontario."

But on Saturday, some 250 pit bull lovers turned up at the legislature to protest the proposed law with signs reading "Punish the Deed, Not the Breed," and "Try Basing Law on Fact."

Pit bulls can turn means when they are victims of abuse.

In one incident this summer, the police killed two pit bulls that had turned on their owner's friend who had them out for a walk.

"The legislation the attorney general is proposing makes our playgrounds, sidewalks and neighborhoods safer," said Chief Julian Fantino of Toronto Police Service. "It is clearly in the best interest of public safety and it will help to protect our officers who face these vicious animals when carrying out their duties."

"I support the province's swift action," said Mayor David Miller of Toronto. "This problem is not exclusive to any single municipality, it is a provincewide issue and therefore the best solution is a provincewide strategy to keep Ontarians safe from dangerous dogs."

"Since our ban, Kitchener has seen a dramatic decline in the number of pit bull attacks from 18 to about one per year," said Mayor Carl Zehr of Kitchener. "Every Ontarian, in every city across Ontario deserves the same level of safety that we have in Kitchener. That's what this legislation would do."

"We are setting high standards for responsible dog ownership in the province of Ontario," said Bryant. "By introducing this new legislation, we are building safe, strong communities for all Ontarians."