Judy
11-05-2005, 07:58 PM
Let the calls begin.
Pit bull owners and others are already calling humane societies and Toronto Animal Services, confused about the province's new pit bull regulations.
The Dog Owners' Liability Act now requires pit bull owners to sterilize, muzzle and leash their dogs in public, or face fines as high as $10,000 and/or six months in jail.
"We will respond to calls regarding pit bulls on a complaint basis. We're not seeking out individuals who are not in compliance (with the law)," said Kim Smithers, Toronto Animal Services, west region.
But what constitutes a pit bull could frustrate enforcement efforts.
The law bans pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and any dog "that has an appearance and physical characteristics substantially similar to any of those dogs."
"Someone may believe their neighbour has a pit bull, but based on the legislation, the dog may not be a pit bull," Smithers said.
The onus of proving a dog is not a pit bull rests with the owner, the legislation indicates.
Should enforcement officers believe an offence occurred, the facts are sworn to a justice of the peace.
Municipal bylaws carry set fines of $200 to $5,000; the pit bull legislation does not, Smithers said.
"Based on the merits of the case, and the history, a justice of the peace will determine if an individual committed the offence and then impose a fine. "It could be no monetary fine, but a conviction registered to the maximum fine depending on the evidence."
Pit bull owners may keep their existing dogs under the Act.
Many will call animal services about pit bulls.
But, Smithers also encouraged pit bull owners to call if they fear for the safety of their muzzled, leashed dogs around dogs that are not leashed.
"If dogs are leashed, there should be no incidents. But we know that isn't happening. If, for example, there are 50 dogs running off-leash in a park, once advised (by the owner of a leashed, muzzled pit bull owner), we will go and investigate that park."
However, the level of enforcement of the legislation remains to be seen. The provincial law provides neither direction, nor funding, for municipal enforcement of the Act.
"I'm not even clear on the definition of enforcement that the province would like," Smithers said. "We're enforcing the legislation to the best of our capability with the resources we have."
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etob...p-3639653c.html (http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/story/3139745p-3639653c.html)
Pit bull owners and others are already calling humane societies and Toronto Animal Services, confused about the province's new pit bull regulations.
The Dog Owners' Liability Act now requires pit bull owners to sterilize, muzzle and leash their dogs in public, or face fines as high as $10,000 and/or six months in jail.
"We will respond to calls regarding pit bulls on a complaint basis. We're not seeking out individuals who are not in compliance (with the law)," said Kim Smithers, Toronto Animal Services, west region.
But what constitutes a pit bull could frustrate enforcement efforts.
The law bans pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and any dog "that has an appearance and physical characteristics substantially similar to any of those dogs."
"Someone may believe their neighbour has a pit bull, but based on the legislation, the dog may not be a pit bull," Smithers said.
The onus of proving a dog is not a pit bull rests with the owner, the legislation indicates.
Should enforcement officers believe an offence occurred, the facts are sworn to a justice of the peace.
Municipal bylaws carry set fines of $200 to $5,000; the pit bull legislation does not, Smithers said.
"Based on the merits of the case, and the history, a justice of the peace will determine if an individual committed the offence and then impose a fine. "It could be no monetary fine, but a conviction registered to the maximum fine depending on the evidence."
Pit bull owners may keep their existing dogs under the Act.
Many will call animal services about pit bulls.
But, Smithers also encouraged pit bull owners to call if they fear for the safety of their muzzled, leashed dogs around dogs that are not leashed.
"If dogs are leashed, there should be no incidents. But we know that isn't happening. If, for example, there are 50 dogs running off-leash in a park, once advised (by the owner of a leashed, muzzled pit bull owner), we will go and investigate that park."
However, the level of enforcement of the legislation remains to be seen. The provincial law provides neither direction, nor funding, for municipal enforcement of the Act.
"I'm not even clear on the definition of enforcement that the province would like," Smithers said. "We're enforcing the legislation to the best of our capability with the resources we have."
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etob...p-3639653c.html (http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/story/3139745p-3639653c.html)