Dogs, politics, media, and more


And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground,
no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws,
his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death. -- George Graham Vest
Latest Entries

Where does your money go when you donate to HSUS?

According to its own 2011 tax return, The Humane Society of the United States received donations of $122 million for the year and used $38 million or 31% on salaries, compensation, and employee benefits with 19 individuals listed as receiving compensation between $100,000 and $300,000. Additionally, $50 million or 41% of donations received were spent [...]

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The true cost of breed-specific legislation

For those of you who think breed-specific legislation is only about forcing irresponsible owners to control their dogs…

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Witch! Witch!

Earlier this year, I introduced someone to the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. When we got to the Witch scene, I was struck by the similarities between a “witch hunt” and a “pit bull hunt”.

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George Jonas vs. Barbara Kay

It seems that George Jonas is more than willing to take on Barbara Kay about breed-specific legislation.

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Is my dog a “pit bull” in Ontario?

Today, a member of one of the Internet groups that I’m on asked if a certain mix of dog has to be muzzled in Ontario. Here’s my answer. I would like to say “to avoid confusion”, but unfortunately that wouldn’t be true.

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The media’s role in breed-specific legislation

I originally wrote this article in August 2006. I’m reposting it after my radio interview today because the whole process of preparing for the interview has revived some of my thoughts on the role of media in breed-specific legislation.

Enjoy.

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Bill 16 clause-by-clause: surprising events

This is my somewhat detailed explanation of what happened during Ontario’s clause-by-clause hearings on Bill 16 on May 9, 2012.

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Dog Bite Related Fatalities in Canada (January 1983 to February 2012)

As promised, here is a list of all human deaths caused by dogs in Canada since 1983.

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Communites that rejected BSL in 2011

In 2011, the following communities proposed and REJECTED breed specific ordinances because ordinary people like you and me took a stand against them.

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Statistics correction to my Toronto Star letter

I have a minor correction to the Canadian “death by dog” statistics that I quoted in my letter to the Toronto Star. The actual numbers are very similar, but I feel I should give you the exact statistics instead of my prior guesses.

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Thomas Walkom: Why Ontario’s pit-bull ban should end

Thomas Walkom was outspoken against the Ontario ban in 2004 and 2005 and was one of the voices of reason in the media at the time. It’s nice to see he’s still speaking out. Thanks, Thomas.

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Bad news from Florida

Discouraging news from Florida today. Looks like SB (Senate Bill) 1322,which would have repealed the Miami-Dade breed ban, has been stalled and perhaps even killed at the subcommittee level.

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Teenagers are dangerous and Ontario is right to ban them

A satirical look at the Toronto Star’s “pit bulls are dangerous” editorial.

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Dog killed, woman injured in Hamilton dog attack

So let’s see how much airplay/newsprint this story gets, since the attacking dog clearly can’t be reported as a “pit bull”.

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Pit bulls are dangerous and Ontario is right to ban them

Bet that got your attention! That’s the headline of a February 26 Toronto Star editorial to which I respond here.

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Mount Clemens, Michigan, is now a nice place to visit!

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted 5-1 Monday night to remove language targeting pit bulls from a dangerous animal ordinance.

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Who voted and how at Bill 16 second reading

Here is a list of every Ontario MPP and how they voted at the second reading of Bill 16 (including those who didn’t vote).

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Bill 16 passes second reading

Great news! Bill 16 passed its second reading today in the Ontario Legislature!

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New Brunswick: Provincial housing tenants have ONE WEEK to get rid of pets!

The government of New Brunswick has decided to start enforcing a law that prohibits tenants of provincial housing from owning pets, even though many of these tenants have had their animals for years. They have cracked down on two Moncton housing complexes and have given the tenants one week to get rid of their pets!

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How a Private Member’s Bill becomes law

Randy Hillier, one of the sponsors of Bill 16, left a comment on my last blog entry that significantly increases my optimism about this bill’s potential to become law, so much so that I decided to write an updated article about it.

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