Response to proposed Pit Bull Ban...
If I were able to state my opinion in front of those who seek to ban my beloved
dog based on his breed here is what I would say to them.
I would like to say that Iım very upset at the fact that the media and our
government have taken it upon themselves to segregate an entire community based
on the ownership of a particular breed of dog. Not only have our dogs been
punished but also the owners have been made to feel like second-rate citizens
in their own communities.
The Attorney General and the media would have the population of Ontario believe
that the average American Pit Bull Terrier is a loaded weapon ready to go off.
But statistically speaking the dog most likely to bite you is the poodle. The
Attorney General would also like you to believe that all American Pit Bull
Terriers are programmed only to kill. Yet the fact is that the overwhelming
majority of Canadian citizens that own an American Pit Bull Terrier have taken
the time to properly care for and train their chosen animal companion. The
Attorney General would like you to believe that every time you walk down a
street that all dogs that resemble the American Pit Bull Terrier are a potential
threat to you health and safety. Iıd like to know where the Attorney General is
getting these facts and Iıd like to see them for myself in order to gain a
proper understanding of his claims.
The fact is that the responsible owners of the American Pit Bull Terrier are
model citizens who take pride in their companion animal. The average American
Pit Bull Terrier is a loving obedient dog that only seeks to please their
owners. Tragically the only picture that the media and the Attorney General
continually paint is a dog that is vicious from the day itıs born.
That in the simplest of terms is just not true. It is true that this particular
breed has been taken advantage of for personal financial gain. It is true that
criminals keep these dogs for unlawful purposes like fighting for profit. It is
also true that these criminals teach their dogs to be vicious. However, are we
to understand that this is the dogıs fault? Or should we be asking why are these
criminals not being brought to justice?
With real crime running rampant is our city streets it seems that the Attorney
General isnıt focusing on the real issues.
We should also question the inevitable results of such a ban. How will the
government deal with the new influx of dogs in Ontario kennels? Who will be
financially responsible for the added burden of keeping all the dispossessed
animals? What will happen once the over flow cannot be managed? Will the dogs be
euthanized? How would you justify that to a public who does not agree with such
practices? Some might argue that such large numbers of dogs wonıt be turned in
to kennels, but the fact is that our Humane Society is already struggling with
a large volume of unwanted animals. On top of that the Humane Society does not
support the ban. Finally, how will the Ontario government compensate those
Canadian citizens who have to deal with the oppressive views cast upon them and
their companion animal? For there is no doubt that the Attorney General paints
the owner with the same brush as the breed.
Many large organizations do not support the Attorney Generalıs views. For
instance the Veterinarian Association is against a ban. Along with the Humane
Society and the Dog Breeders Association. All these organizations are on the
forefront of dealing with dogs and their true personalities on a daily basis.
Yet they do not believe a ban would serve as a proper tool in dealing with
problem dogs. Still with that solid and proven knowledge base the Attorney
General insists that a ban is the proper measure needed in dealing with
aggressive animals. Why isnıt the Attorney General taking these organizations
point-of-view seriously? Why does the Attorney General consistently ignore
statistical data that proves that the American Pit Bull Terrier is not a ticking
time bomb?
This assault on our American Pit Bull Terriers seems to be a personal crusade
against the breed. I believe the Attorney Generalıs personal views together
with his unsubstantiated fear of the American Pit Bull Terrier is creating laws
that will limit our personal freedoms as owners and as citizens of Canada. Our
right to live without prejudice in our communities has clearly been undermined.
The Attorney Generalıs hatred of a breed has targeted us in campaigns of fear.
Every time I walk down the street I notice that more and more people treat me as
a second rate citizen because I happen to own and love my American Pit Bull
Terrier. Officials were put in office to protect our rights and freedoms not to
destroy them and create second rate citizens in the process.
The Attorney General has unfairly targeted a group of people, real people who
are upstanding citizens, in his fight to wipe a breed of animal off the face of
Ontario and eventually Canada. Not only will the breed suffer but also the
owners are and will be marginalized in respect to freedoms and rights. We must
fight this sort of oppression not only for our dogs but also for ourselves as
citizens of a democratic society. By accepting a ban we are accepting that the
government can and will marginalize our rights as Canadian citizens. We must
fight this train of thought in our society because it only leads to farther
reaching bans that will effect more and more responsible and law abiding
itizens. I say lets look at the real issues facing our provinces and our country
as a whole. Imagine if the Attorney General focused this much energy on the
homeless issue in Toronto.
Real people live and die on the street because of problems in our social
systems. Yet the Attorney General would rather have the public fear and hate
Pit Bulls.
Again I urge you to do your own research regarding dog bites in Ontario and
Canada. I urge you to see for yourself what the experts are saying about a ban.
I urge you to make your own voices heard. If it happens in Ontario then it will
happen in the rest of the country. Your large breed dog will be next on the
list. Fight for your rights as a Canadian citizen and as a person who believes
in true justice and law reform.
Fear is not an excuse for ignorance!
Email the Ontario Premier at Dalton.McGuinty@premier.gov.on.ca
Make you voice heard!! Spread this message to anyone who will listen!!
Serge Constantinou
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