Pit Bulls Banned In Ontario
On August 29, 2005 amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act were passed to ban pit bulls in Ontario.
Q. What does the new legislation mean for owners of "pit bulls"?
The ban pertains to dogs that fall into the following categories, as defined in the legislation:
- Pit bull terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- American Staffordshire terrier
- American pit bull terrier
- A dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of the above categories.
People who own these types of dogs on August 29, 2005 may keep their dogs. The dogs will be considered restricted pit bulls. Effective October 28, 2005 (after the 60 day transition period), restricted pit bulls must be:
- Leashed and muzzled — unless the dog is on its owner’s enclosed property or on the enclosed property of a person who consents to the dog being without a leash and muzzle. Leashes must be no longer than 1.8 metres. Muzzles must be "humane, 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."
- Spayed or neutered — if this would require a pit bull to be sterilized before 36 weeks of age, the owner may wait until the puppy reaches that age to have it sterilized. A pit bull which, in the written opinion of a veterinarian, is physically unfit to be anaesthetized because of old age or infirmity, does not have to be spayed or neutered.
If a pit bull is found to be in contravention of the legislation, its regulations or a court order, the legislation specifies that the court must order that the dog be euthanized.
The legislation also makes it an offence to own breed a pit bull, or import a pit bull into Ontario after August 29, 2005 (there are limited exceptions for dog shows).
Animal shelters will still be able to adopt out restricted pit bulls after the ban comes into effect. A person who did not own a pit bull on August 29, 2005 will be able to acquire one restricted pit bull. A person who owned one or more pit bulls on August 29, 2005 will be able to acquire restricted pit bulls in the future, as long as the person does not own more pit bulls than he or she owned on August 29, 2005.
Q. What does the newly amended DOLA mean for other dog owners?
The new legislation increases fines for offences under the Act to a maximum of $10,000 and allows for jail sentences of up to six months for individuals who allow any kind of dog to bite, attack or pose a menace to the safety of a person or domestic animal. It also provides for fines up to a maximum of $60,000 for corporations owning such dogs. In addition, it allows a judge to order restitution to be paid in relation to an offence.
Q. Where can I get more information?
For complete details about the Dog Owners' Liability Act and the new harsher punishments for owners of all dangerous dogs - visit the following links: