Sault pit bull owners sign travelling banner to change laws

A group protesting laws that outlaw pit bulls were gathering signatures on Friday.

The Sault chapter of Hershey’s Anti-BSL Group (HABSLG) received a banner and held signings at the Roberta Bonda Pavilion on Friday and the Friday before.

HABSLG is hoping to raise awareness and fight breed specific legislation (BSL) surrounding dog ownership, specifically the 2005 passed Bill 132 that outlaws pit bulls and similar animals.

Bill 132 or, the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, states that no person shall “own”, “breed”, or “transfer” a pit bull.

Jennifer (last name withheld) and her pit bull Cleo. Because of breed specific legislation in Ontario, Jennifer keeps Cleo muzzled out in public. Jeff Klassen/SooToday

The act defines a pit bull as a pit bull terrier, a Staffordshire bull terrier, an American Staffordshire terrier, an American pit bull terrier, or as “a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those.”

Paige Halligan, a Sault member of the group who organized the banner signings, said that perhaps the biggest problem with Bill 132 is defining what “similar” means.

“It’s pretty subjective. It’s not only the fact that the law goes to a certain breed, but to almost any breed because they are going on characteristics. It doesn’t make sense to me and I don’t think it’s fair. There’s been many cases where dogs have been put down or taken from their families and they aren’t (pit bulls).” said Halligan.

Halligan said it can mean a dog is punished or put down simply for looking a certain way.

For example, if a pit bull-looking dog were to get nipped at by a poorly trained poodle and then maybe bite back in self defence, there is a good chance that just because of the visual characteristics of that animal that they might get put down, said Halligan.

She said she finds that many people aren’t aware of the law, partially because it’s not strongly enforced in the Sault

“It’s not largely enforced in our city because we don’t have a lot of dog bite incidents,” she said.

Signing the banner on Friday was Jennifer (last name withheld), owner of Cleo, a pit bull that was born before 2005 and so is exempt from the ban.

However, Cleo must walk around with a muzzle and can never breed even though she is quite friendly, said Jennifer.

Both Jennifer and Halligan promoted the idea that how a dog is trained determines its behavior, not the breed.

“I believe that responsible ownership should be in place rather than breed specific laws. Owners insurance (could be a solution),” said Halligan.

HABSLG was named after a former St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog that was not allowed to continue working because of BSL.

After Sault Ste. Marie, the flag will be going to Hershey’s owner in Thunder Bay.