Tell Sarnia ‘Enough is Enough!’

The city of Sarnia Ontario thinks THIS is a Pit Bull. Morons.

My own, personal opinion? Boycott Sarnia, starting now. Don’t cross their border, don’t shop in their town, don’t gamble at their casino. Hit them where it hurts – their pocket books.

Posted with permission —

The Dog Legislation Council has been dealing with an issue that, up until yesterday, was kept under the radar in the hopes that things could be worked out amicably between the dogs’ owners and Sarnia Humane Society.

The city of Sarnia is fast becoming one of Ontario’s most lethal cities for dogs , even when the owners can provide ‘proof’ of their genetics;

a.. The first occurred in March 2006.Tidus who was identified as a “pit bull” and ordered destroyed under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. The dog’s owner took the case to court and, in April, the destruction order was set aside.
“This legislation is very vague because it doesn’t give direction,” said Justice of the Peace Helen Gale in making her ruling to release Tidus following the two-and-a-half hour trial. She noted that the Canadian Kennel Club does not even recognize pit bulls as being a specific breed. “There needs to be a clear definition,” said Gale. “There are some real problems with the act.”
a.. The second incident in Sarnia occurred also in April 2006, only a few days after the ruling. A Hungarian Vizsla (a purebred hunting dog) was identified as a “pit bull”. The owner had papers from the United States identifying the dog as a Vizsla. Ultimately, this dog was released to the owner on a “gentleman’s handshake” on the condition that the dog leave the province immediately.
b.. The third incident, which attracted attention across North America, occurred in June 2007. Sarnia Animal Control (again, Mr. Brad Loosley) confiscated three seven week old puppies and their mother (yes that’s SEVEN WEEKS OLD) who were identified as Staffordshire Bull Terriers and confiscated for being a “threat to public safety”. They were scheduled for destruction that same week.
The public outcry in this case, the significant assistance of their pro bono lawyer, Mr. Chris Avery, as well as offers of help from Advocates for the Underdog and the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, persuaded the city of Sarnia to eventually change their mind. Note, however, that even with that change of heart, the dogs still had to be shipped out of the province in order to stay alive, as was the case with the Vizsla.

a.. Now we have puppies whose breeding has been proven as required under DOLA to be that of a Labrador ( unregistered sire ) and a CKC registered Boxer (dam).
On the record, Mr Loosley glibly stated that they are euthanizing at least one “pit bull” a month.
Since the story hit the local newspaper yesterday, September 18, it’s now necesary to let everyone know what’s going on.

OK, so here’s the story:

http://www.chicobandido.com/2009/09/maddie-carter-capone/

In this latest case, it certainly seems that Sarnia Animal Control has gone on a “witch hunt” to confiscate and destroy all three of dogs, two are puppies and one being the father of said puppies. NONE of these dogs have shown any aggression or been involved in any biting incident and TWO of them were confiscated directly from their owners who were doing nothing different than what millions of dog owners across Canada do every day with their dogs.

According to previous reports, the Mayor of Sarnia, Mike Bradley, is not in favour of the breed-specific Dog Owners’ Liability Act. He and the city councillors need to be made aware of this situation immediately. They must intervene, not only in this case, but in their city’s Animal Control policy, to ensure that law-abiding citizens with safe, non-threatening dogs are left in peace to enjoy their pets.

First, the contact information for Sarnia .

Mr. Brad Loosley, Deputy City Clerk
bloosley@city.sarnia.on.ca
519-332-0330 ext 351

Mr. Loosley has been identified by the dogs’ owners as the Chief Animal Control Officer, although the city’s website identifies him as the Deputy City Clerk.

Mike Bradley, Mayor
mayor@city.sarnia.on.ca
519-332-0330 ext 312
519-336-8092

Dave Boushy, City Councillor
d.boushy@cogeco.ca
519-542-3109

Jim Foubister, City Councillor
jimfoubister@city.sarnia.on.ca
519-869-4701

Bev MacDougall, City Councillor
bevmacdougall@ebtech.net
519-344-5543
519-344-0768

Anne Marie Gillis, City Councillor
annemariegillis@city.sarnia.on.ca
519-542-0554
519-542-9728

Andy Bruziewicz, City Councillor
andybruziewicz@hotmail.com
519-332-2639

Jon McEachran, City Councillor
jonmceachran@hotmail.com
519-383-7200
519-337-7200

Mike Kelch, City Councillor
mjkelch@mac.com
519-339-4003
519-542-5682

Terry Burrell, City Councillor
terry@terryburrell.ca
519-336-5545
519-542-8826

If you choose to contact these people, keep in mind a few things:

1.. Other than Brad Loosley, the people listed above may not have any idea what’s going on.
2.. Treat them with respect and politeness, simply requesting their intervention in this matter.
3.. Point out that there is no requirement in the Dog Owners’ Liability Act for a city to identify a dog as a “pit bull”. The only reason to do so is to kill the dog, period.
4.. Stress that Alan Bennett has looked at these dogs and determined them to NOT be Staffordshire Bull Terriers or any other breed banned under the Ontario law. Mr. Bennett is a Canadian Kennel Club judge, qualified to judge ALL 175 breeds registered by the CKC, and a former Director of the Canadian Kennel Club.