New bylaws in effect for pit bulls

New bylaws in effect for pit bulls, more on the way
PAM DOUGLAS, Staff Writer

If you own a pit bull you will have to make sure your pet is spayed or neutered and muzzled by the end of this month.

The City of Brampton is reminding residents the new provincial regulations governing pit bulls came into effect in August, requiring the dogs to be micro-chipped, licensed and kept on a leash at all times. After Oct. 29, they will also have to be muzzled when they are out of the house or behind a fence less than 6 1/2 feet high, and spayed or neutered.

"The responsibility to comply with these new regulations falls on the owner of the dog," said Tamara Taylor, the city's supervisor of animal services. "So if you own one, it's important to understand how the new regulations will impact your pet."

In Brampton all pit bull owners are required to have their dogs micro-chipped, licensed and kept on a leash at all times. In accordance with new restrictions after Oct. 29, all pit bulls must be spayed or neutered and all pit bulls must be muzzled.

Ontario's new pit bull ban has taken a bite out of the City of Brampton's budget, too.

The legislation, which came into effect August 29, has forced the city to make major changes to the way it licences and deals with dogs. Hiring, training and equipping staff and educating the public will cost the city $200,000 this year, according to a recent staff report to council.

Brampton Animal Control officers have come up with a plan to make sure the new legislation is followed.

Councillors amended the city's dog bylaw, putting restrictions on pit bulls already living in the city and toughening penalties for owners of any dog that poses a danger to the public.

"Pit bull owners may keep their existing dogs, as long as they comply with the requirements of our bylaw," according to Community Services Committee Chair John Hutton.

Dog and cat licences and registration are mandatory in Brampton. The licences have to be renewed every February. No one under 18 years can own a pit bull. Ownership of a pit bull can't be transferred unless that transfer is approved by the city.

Under the new city bylaw, a pit bull is a pit bull terrier, a Staffordshire bull terrier, an American Staffordshire bull terrier, an American pit bull terrier, or a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are "substantially similar" to those dogs.

The changes are expected to take an emotional toll on city animal services workers, too. Any pit bull born after November 29 will have to be destroyed or taken out of the province. City animal shelter workers are bracing themselves for the task of euthanizing healthy pit bull puppies.

Other requirements under the city's bylaw are:

* anyone owning a pit bull before Aug. 29 can always own a pit bull. Anyone owning more than one can always own the same number, up to three;

* lifetime dog licences for pit bulls are grandfathered if they were obtained before Aug. 29. From now on, pit bull licences will only be sold for one year;

* it is illegal to abandon a pit bull, unless it is being surrendered to the pound.

For a complete list of requirements or for more information, call Brampton Animal Services at 905-458-5800 or visit the city's Web site at www.brampton.ca./a>