Primary Research Paper The Ban on “Pit Bulls”

1. Primary Research Paper The Ban on “Pit Bulls” http://www.freewebs.com/pitbullsdontcry By Chantal Tobin

2. How does this affect Owners and Citizens of Ontario? • The ban violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Owners and citizens of Ontario. Bill 132 violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms four ways: 1) Search and seizure without a warrant - applies to all dog owners regardless of breed. 2) Guilty until proven innocent - welcome to the "new" Ontario. 3) No ability to cross-examine the alleged expert doing a breed identification. 4) "Necessary force" - these dangerous powers have been handed to untrained animal control officers

3. Sociological Perspective • Conflict Theory - Dominant Ideology - Alienation (Mass Media) What the media does not tell you - Class Conflict

4. How does Bill 132 Affect the Breeds Involved? • "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 member of a class of dogs that have an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d); ("pit-bull") • Pit bull owners are required to ensure their pit bulls are in compliance with the amendments and regulations. By October 28, 2005, pit bull owners will have to have their pit bulls leashed and muzzled in public and comply with sterilization requirements. The regulations stipulate that restricted pit bulls be muzzled and leashed unless the dogs are on their owners' enclosed property or on enclosed property occupied by another person who consents to the pit bull being without a muzzle or leash. Among other specific requirements, a leash may be a maximum of 1.8 meters long. Muzzles should be humane, but strong enough and well-fitted enough to prevent the pit bull from biting, without interfering with the breathing, panting, or vision of the pit bull or with the pit bull's ability to drink. All pit bulls must be sterilized by October 28, 2005

5. Brief History • The breed that I will describe to you is the American Staffordshire terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Terrier descended form the same lines, which originated in England in the 1800s. The breed we know and love today originally came form crossing the old type bull dog (which does not look like the one today) and old terrier types, probably the English Smooth Terrier. The result was called the Bull Terrier, which was later dubbed the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.These dogs gained fame among fanciers of dog fighting, a popular sport despite its having been declared illegal. Their fighting ability gained them passage to America in the 1800s, where they dominated the fighting “pits”. Here they became known as the Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bull Terrier, and the Yankee Terrier. The American Staffordshire terrier has evolved to have a sweet and trustworthy disposition around people. Unfortunately, this game dog has often appealed to people seeking its fighting rather than its loving abilities. The breed often finds itself in the midst of controversy, beginning in the 1980s, it sometimes has found itself to be the target of breed specific laws aimed at banning this type of dog. Despite this the breed is currently enjoying its most popular periods among people wanting a fun and loving dog.

6. Statistics After being asked 6 out of 45 people said they did own a “pit bull” or a “pit bull” type. 39 out of 45 said they did not own a “pit bull” or “pit bull” type After being asked 38 out of 45 people agreed that the ban was not justifiable. 5 out of 45 people agreed that the ban was justifiable. And 2 out of 45 people had mixed emotions about the ban. After being asked 36 out of 45 agreed that the media portrays dog bites and 9 out of 45 disagreed.

7. Pit Bull Law Ruled to Vague This victory is a small step in eliminating Bill 132.