“owner”, when used in relation to a dog, includes a person who possesses or harbours the dog and, where the owner is a minor, the person responsible for the custody of the minor; (“propriétaire”)
“pit bull” includes,
(a) a pit bull terrier,
(b) a Staffordshire bull terrier,
(c) an American Staffordshire terrier,
(d) an American pit bull terrier,
(e) a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d); (“pit-bull”)
Now you'd think the above descriptions would have crossed South African Boerboels off the list, but you'd be wrong. Boxer dogs have been confiscated, American Bulldogs and their crosses have been confiscated, appropriately muzzled dogs who were attacked by off-leash dogs have been confiscated and the bullshit goes on! The Boerboel with it's short coat and muscular body is just a clerical error away from some stupid authority figure mis-identifying your South African Boerboel as a "pitbull".
This is a very serious bill, check it here Dog Owner's Liability Act with very serious consequences, including the ability of a peace officer to enter your facility and seize your dog if you are suspected of owning a "pitbull" and you haven't been abiding by the restrictions of the law. If they suspect you were not complying, they may also seize your dog on the street while you are walking it. Fines can be up to $10,000 and jail of 6 months.
The Dog Legislation Council of Canada has been the umbrella organization for a number of smaller groups who tried (without success) all the way to the Supreme Court to repeal the law as unconstitutional, there is even a private members bill in place to rectify the sweeping infringements upon citizen's rights that Bill 132 put into place.
They are hosting an awareness event and fundraiser on July 25, 2010, next event that lets you get in and see what concerned Ontario citizens are doing to educate the general public and raise awareness.
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