Good news.

I just found out from the BadRap Blog that Florida's HB101 is dead.

The ill-conceived Bill had planned to revoke Florida's statewide prohibition against banning dogs because of their physical appearance.

It hasn't hit the mainstream media yet, so that's all I know at this point.

Since he's such a freaking expert.

Here's how animal pound workers are deciding who is a Fib-Bull and who isn't.

http://www.mississaugablogs.com/2008/03/all_in_favour_of_a_stay_of_exe.html

Aren't you proud to live in Ontaristan?

Now, get back in line.  Forward, march!

PS I forgot to thank Mac for the heads-up about the story. 

At Which to Spay and Neuter: An Evidence-Based Analysis

By Margaret Root-Kustritz, DVM, PhD   University of Minnesota

This interesting review paper outlines some breed-based health issues as well as the impact of sterilization on dogs.  It is very interesting and thorough, with a good list of references for further reading.

The paper is available at the AKC Canine Health Foundation page:

http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/whitepapers/3-23-08DiscoveriesArticle.pdf

Thanks to Terrierman (on my sidebar) for the link to this excellent post.

Also, through sheer laziness and an aversion to clerical work, I have failed to link this outstanding blog until now.

For an award of some sort.

Benny is a Black and White, Smooth Coated, Border Collie, in athletic condition. 

He is running "naked" ( NO COLLAR). 

He has tattoos in BOTH his ears.  One tattoo is his registration tattoo with the CBCA and it is  ST9R.  He also has the tattoo BDBC and in the other ear is 0516. 

Benny is completely friendly he will come for, pets, food or a game of fetch. 

He went missing on March 18 at approximately 11:00 AM, from 401, Hwy 11/17 Dorion, Ontario, Canada. (visit MSN Maps for location)

  The dogs were put out and my father ran to the store, came back, and he was gone.  Benny is approximately 40-50 lbs, white back feet, tipped tail, and is white to the elbows in front.  He has a thin white blaze, white chest and white around the neck "collar". 

He is not neutered, and is registered with the CBCA as BRILDWNS XANDER.  He is trained in Rally, Conformation and Pre Novice Obedience.  Although doubtful, it is possible that he is running home to me and may be running along Hwy 11/17 towards Thunder Bay from Dorion.  If you have seen him, or have heard of anyone finding a dog etc. Please contact me ANYTIME.  Please help bring Benny home... :(

Please visit this BLOG for updates and pictures, and see a video HERE.

I have attached pictures and a flyer.  If you can print out the flyer and put it up, even if you just post one, I would be VERY grateful.  Please forward this e-mail to anyone you know, especially to vets, breeders, dog people, and rescues in Canada.  If he was picked up, he could be anywhere.  I owe you all a heartfelt thanks, for doing anything that you can, I know you're all very busy with shows coming up etc.

Please Contact LAUREN, ANYTIME

bellaclan_bcs@ yahoo.ca
simplyshaw@hotmail. com

KC has a great series this week about mandatory spay/neuter and its effectiveness in terms of bite reduction and numbers of dogs killed.

He investigated San Francisco, California and Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO).

It's excellent, lots of good information available.  There's a link to an interesting study which I haven't had a chance to read yet but plan to get to ASAP.

Here's a link:    http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/

(Since it's a blog the entries appear in reverse order.  Scroll down to find Part 1.)

Photo Courtesy of The Daily Rumour

TORONTO - Caveat News (CVT) has received an anonymous tip from a group claiming responsibility for an unprecedented guerrilla action that sent shock waves through the GTA.

A giant inflatable bulldawg was standing on the roof of the provincial Legislature early this morning, the last day of House business before the Easter long weekend, which is a week after March Break, which was a few weeks after a controversial day off in February legislated in order to give Ontarians a much-needed holiday in winter.

A shadowy group of resistance fighters, calling themselves the Bulldawg International Freedom Front (BIFF), says it was behind the stunt, which has launched a massive dragnet operation.  They seek them here, they seek them there, they seek those BIFFniks everywhere.

When we picked up the phone early today, this is what we heard.

"Up Your Keister for Easter, Ontario! The Easter Bulldawg brought you all a nice surprise!"  Maniacal laughter and snorting ensued, followed by this chilling message:  "Stop picking on bulldawgs now!  Free bulldawg owners!  Get with the program, dingbats, or BIFF will put one of these babies on every major landmark in Toronto.  We have the will, we have the expertise and we have the equipment to repeat this action.  We will stop at nothing to get our message out.  We demand - uh oh, gotta run, here come da Judge..."  The caller hung up.

The Daily Rumour's investigative team, also known as Glen, tracked down an  eyewitness who made the following statement:

"A helicopter dropped the inflatable bulldawg on the roof at about 4:00 am and then flew away in a northerly direction.  It was a pretty slick operation, these people knew exactly what they were doing.  What's next?  Wiener Dogs?  This is some scary stuff." 

At a press conference earlier today, a police spokesman announced that "All helicopter pilots and BIFF sympathizers in the GTA will be rounded up for questioning and will have to stay late until somebody spills the beans.  We don't care if it's your birthday, if you are getting married or if you just want to chill on the couch this weekend.  Fess up or bring your blankies because we're all going to be here until we get to the bottom of this outrageous action."

The former Attorney General for Ontario, who was responsible for bringing in an unconstitutional law outlawing the ownership of short-haired, medium-sized dogs, could not be reached as he was apparently standing in front of a Tim Horton's somewhere making another amateur film.  Since our research shows that the majority of Ontarians now feel the legislation was misguided and unfair, we asked the current AG, who inherited the mess, whether he thought public opinion was turning against the government over the bulldawg issue.  He declined to answer, saying only that without doing some quick polling using loaded questions, he couldn't adequately respond.

A Ministry spokeswoman released a statement just before we went to press.

"If nobody comes forward to face the consequences for this heinous stunt, we'll be punishing all helicopter pilots and bulldawg lovers in Ontario.  We'll go from house to house if we have to in a search for the guilty.  We'll be picking up licensed pilots as well as dog owners who have a physical appearance which is substantially similar to that of BIFF operatives, as soon as we get some photos to use for comparison."

"These kinds of shenanigans will not be tolerated in Ontario.  This is no laughing matter.  Jokers like BIFF and other inherently humourous groups are on notice that Ontario is no place for fun and games.  Citizens have told us, and told us loud and clear, that sight gags and mockery of the government must end.  The sooner these rapscallions realize that this province is all about not sharing their little jokes with the rest of us, and that the consequences for mirth will be swift and severe, the better off all Ontarians, including yours truly, will be."

Updates will be posted as they become available.

Gotta love the Upper Credit Humane Society!  If you live nearby and are looking for a dog, I hope you'll drop in.

"Spencer is a four-years-old, male. He is good natured and has a much more pleasent disposition than many politicians"

Word.

Is it Trog Festival Week and nobody told me?

Here's a charming story about a little neighbourly dispute.  One neighbour shot and killed a dog, so the owner killed that guy's puppy to get even.

Dispute Leaves Puppy, Pit Bull Dead

March 14, 2008 - 7:36PM

A dispute involving the owner of a puppy and the owner of a pit bulldog has left both dogs dead and one of the owners facing possible charges.

The Hardin County Sheriff's Office says 33 year old William Curtis Smith admits killing the puppy, but Smith claims it was in retaliation for the shooting death of his pit bulldog.

Unbelievable.  Neither one of them deserves to have a dog.

I'm sure you remember the horrendous story of the dog that died while in the custody of LA County Animal Services.

The No Kill Advocacy Centre got involved and filed a lawsuit against the county.

Things seem to be unfolding as they should.  Here's an update on the case from the No Kill Advocacy Centre. (caution: graphic image)

h/t Michael A

I just finished reading a public health dog bite study which I hadn't seen before.

The information is quite comprehensive and presented in a way I found both clear and useful.

Here's a link.

Oh well, that's alright then.

Canine 'Land Shark' Takes Bite out of Deputy

"He does that all the time"

Mother Nearly (whew!) Loses Eye in Dog Attack

Not that the owners are responsible or anything, it's the dogs themselves, right?

Uh oh.

Are they ticking?

In other news, a radio personality was bitten by a 'dog'.  How novel, no attempt at identifying the 'breed'.

Heh heh heh.  What a great comic.  Go on, take the plunge, I'm pretty sure you'll like it, starting from March 3 and working forward.

Over the Hedge

I found out about it at this nifty blog, UnderDogged.  I think you'll like that, too.

My buddy over at KC Dog Blog has a great Weekly Roundup today.

Check it out here.

Guy Walking his 'Pit Bull'

That crazy Mac asks whether Dolton is trying to kill the people in other provinces, most notably Quèbec.

I've wondered about that, too.  If nonexistent, preternaturally endowed 'pit bulls' are unsafe at any age, then why is it OK to ship them to other provinces when charging people?

Let's say somebody thinks your dog is a 'pit bull' and they decide to charge you with a violation.

That's when the three charming options kick in:

1. The dog is put to death

2. The dog is shipped out of province

3. The dog is sent to a research facility for some what-if experiments

Why is it OK to export these so-called dangerous dogs.  Are people in other provinces tougher, more balanced, more experienced, or what's the deal?

Mac's got some info about our old friend Mr Algar from Peterborough in her post.  He is shipping some pups to another province to keep them out of the dog-killers' clutches.

Good on you, Brad.

Are you mad enough yet?

Help us win the case against Ontario.  We're doing the work, all we need is money.

Donate to Banned Aid:  http://www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org/donate.html

Cllick to visit ALC

I see that the notorious PJ's Pets is offering a $200 rebate if you get your puppy sterilized before the end of March.

This offer only applies if you spend more than $1,298 for one of their mongrel pups of unknown (and likely miserable) origin.

But wait!  There's more!

If you apply for a family record of your 'percentage pup' (gag me) you can get a certificate for only an extra $35.00!  And, it takes 6 - 8 weeks to arrive!

How many dog welfare and ethical violations can you spot in the above few sentences?

Why are we allowing businesses like this to operate in Ontario?  Is it because in Ontario, inhumane treatment of animals, and especially dogs, is our modus operandi?

What would you say to someone foolishly entering a PJ's shop to look for a pup?

Here's an article from Australia which I thought might interest you.  It discusses the flaws of BSL as a route to reducing canine aggression toward humans.

ABSTRACT

There is no evidence in the literature to support the notion that restricting particular breeds helps reduce dog attacks. Breed specific legislative measures reflect a simplistic and unrealistic appreciation of the causal factors involved. Real solutions are available but of necessity, they must involve a multidimensional approach involving dog owners, parents, children, the community at large, local authorities and legislators.

Breed specific legislation has been seen as a reasonable opening legislative gambit by some but only in as much as it signals a political intent to do something about trying to minimize dog aggression accidents and injuries. It is appropriate now that the goal should be to do something useful.

 

I've just skimmed it but plan to read it later on today.

In this month's Dogs in Canada is an article about canine aggression.  There's mention of Dr Nick Branson, who is currently doing postdoctoral work with Dr Karen Overall at the University of Pennsylvania. Here are a couple of snips:

Dr Nick Branson, an Australian veterinarian now conducting research at the University of Pennsylvania on canine behaviour and genetics, is working to find a way to make a reliable determination of aggression propensities [sic] by specific breed or size.

To date, the results of Dr Branson's research are proving that when it comes to dog aggression, breed appears to be completely irrelevant.

I'll look forward to hearing more about the research being done at the Canine Behavioral Genetics lab and to reading any upcoming publications.

Somebody must have doped the water supply in Florida.  Or maybe the natives have been out in the sun too long.

The unschooled have decided that shapes of dogs should be eliminated in order to prevent bites, attacks and maulings.

Why anyone believes that this goofy idea is sensible continues to mystify me.

Florida has a state-wide prohibition on banning 'breeds' of dogs, yet Miami-Dade has had a 'pit bull' ban in place for 20 years.

Get this:  They have no idea whether or not it is working because they have no statistics available for analysis.  They only started keeping track of dog incidents in 2005.

How can you bring in an oppressive, counterintuitive plan to kill dogs based on their looks without even having baseline information available?  How can you decide to make people's (and dogs') lives miserable without having any facts on hand?

Of course, Peta supports the idea.  Why is anybody soliciting their opinion or giving them print space?  They are killers.  They want all dogs dead.  The media are so far behind the curve on this that it's a joke.

I guess H$U$ folk are mellowing their message because they now seem to be opposed to 'breed' bans.  If that is their actual policy, I say it's about time, since they, too, get lots of press coverage.  If they are now prepared to speak to fairness and common sense, I'll reverse my opinion of them but I'll wait to see how things unfold.  They are still anti-No Kill and still promote mandatory sterilization - the kinder, gentler way to exterminate domestic dogs.

Anyway, here's the story in the Miami Herald. 

*

In other news, a fundraiser to help homeless 'pit bulls' was canceled in Independence, MO (gotta laugh at the town's name) because of 'community sensitivity' about 'pit bulls'.  No money for 'pit bulls' in that burg.

Memo to Missouri 'Pit Bull' Rescue:  Change your name. 

There's no such thing as a 'pit bull' and the trogs find that label scary. 

All these 'pit bull' groups are not helping, by chattering on and on about 'pit bulls', running 'pit bull' specific courses, discussing the merits of 'pit bulls', posting pictures of 'pit bulls' on their websites and generally giving the enemy ammo to use against dog owners.

Also, next time you fundraise, you don't have to shout it from the rooftops - just say the money is going towards helping homeless dogs.

Duh.

More here.

Remember this?

http://caveat.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2006/5/24/1981849.html

In Ontario these days, discrimination based on appearance which is based on mythology is de rigeur.  The trogs have swallowed the pitbullshit hook, line and sinker.

In Brantford this week, a dog owner went to buy a licence for her dog.  For reasons unknown at this point, she forgot to buy one last year. wasn't shown in the city's files as having bought one for 2007.

Guess what the penalty for not buying a dog tag is in Brantford, if they think you own a mythical 'pit bull'?

Here it is from the owner's email:

On Friday Feb. 15 2008 I went to city hall to get Heira her 2008 dog license. There I am told that we did not get her a 2007 dog license, thus we have three options.

1) Find her a home out of Brantford
2) Kill her
3) Let the SPCA take her

This is all because of City of Brantford Municipal Codes Chapter 206 ("the pit-bull ban"). She had been "grandfathered" in, but by not getting her 2007 license she forfeits that clause..

Since 90% of people don't buy dog tags in Ontario, I guess the courtrooms and pounds are going to be awfully crowded.

Ontario, why I hate it.