The Dog Legislation Council of Canada (DLCC), formed in 2003, and counting among
its members experienced and ethical dog enthusiasts nationwide.
The DLCC is Canada's first and unique collaborative effort of rescue volunteers,
owners, veterinarians, dog trainers, breeders and handlers to promote responsible
dog ownership of all dogs.
The objectives of this Council are two fold:
First is to promote and support responsible dog ownership. This includes child
dog safety programs, bite free programs for adults working in proximity of dogs
(police, post office) and working with dog owners one on one.
Second is to encourage and foster the implementation of non-breed specific dangerous
dog by-laws. Non-breed specific dangerous dog by-laws designate dogs as 'dangerous'
based on behaviour rather than breed. These by-laws allow for efficient animal control without
pointlessly punishing responsible dog owners. They address concerns with dog aggression
and recognize the role of human negligence behind most incidents.
We believe that this provides greater flexibility for municipalities to address
negligent dog owners while not penalizing responsible owners for their personal
choice in breed.
Members are expected to offer support and assistance to the DLCC in its activities
designed to lower dog bite incidents. Members are also expected to be familiar
with, and agree to abide by, the Dog Legislation Council of Canada's Code of Ethics.
From the office of Clayton Ruby
Our appeal will be heard on Monday, September 15 and Tuesday, September 16 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Court of Appeal for Ontario, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St. West in Toronto. Room to be determined the Friday before
From the Canadian Kennel Club offices
Dear CKC Club,
The Banned Aid Coalition (including the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, the American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Canada, the Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada and Advocates for the Underdog) has challenged the constitutional legality of Ontario's Bill 132 enacted August 29, 2005 - not because of a breed or mixed breed but because the Ontario government took away the rights of people who have done no wrong - people like us.
Dog owners in Ontario, regardless of breed, are now subject to entry of their homes without a search warrant and unreasonable search/seizure. They can be charged if a dog is considered to be 'menacing' - with no definition of the term. Worse owners of some dogs are now subject to restrictions on mobility, presumption of criminality and reversal of the burden of proof in a hearing.
The precedent for the banning of purebred dogs has been set into provincial law and was upheld in a Superior Court of Justice decision released on July 27, 2007.
This outcome, as you know, leaves three recognized purebred dogs, the Staffie Bull, the Am-Staff and the APBT (UKC/ADBA recognized) banned in the province of Ontario. These breeds are restricted/prohibited in Ontario and fore any of us, regardless of our chosen breed; this is one of the most difficult challenges we as dog owners have ever had to collectively meet.
Banned Aid Continues to pursue this case through an Appeal which is extremely expensive.
Over $540,000 has been raised and spent on this legal action to date. Costs continue to mount as preparation for the Appeal moves forward. Appeal costs have already reached an additional $40,000 and CKC clubs are being asked if they can help.
We are aware that tight financial circumstances exist for many clubs but we also know that in typical fashion, when the times are tough, we as dog people rally round as best we can. You can trust that if it were not necessary, this request would not be in your hands. A contribution on behalf of your club is needed now to enable this valuable work to continue.
Please, help win the battle to protect dog ownership in Canada.
The CKC opposes breed bans, mandatory spay/neuter laws, elitist property requirements, limit laws and other anti-breeder, anti-owner legislation on an ongoing basis across Canada and supports the work of the Banned Aid Coalition to protect the rights of Canadian dog owners and ethical breeders.
Your club contribution can be made in two way:
1. Send a cheque or money order payable to Banned Aid directly to:
Cathy Prothro
National Treasurer - Banned Aid Coalition
351 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3S4
2. Send a cheque or money order payable to Ruby & Edwardh with "Banned Aid - In Trust" on the memo line to:
Ruby and Edwardh, Barristers and Solicitors
11 Prince Arthur Avenue
Toronto, ON M5R 1B2
Every dollar counts...and the CKC Breed Specific Legislation Committee thanks you in advance for considering this request on behalf of Banned Aid Coalition and the dogs we are all so devoted to preserving.
Regards,
Lee Steeves
CKC Director Zone 1 and Chair Breed Specific Legislation Committee
