I guess Dalton McGuinty's Ontario is open for business - the illegal kind.

Not only have the Fiberals failed to address the situation in Caledonia, which has been going on for well over two years, but they won't investigate the illegal smoke shack which is operating on taxpayer-owned property directly across from a school - and has been for quite some time.

Today, in an email from MPP Toby Barrett (PC Haldimand-Norfolk), we learned that a new driveway from the shack to Highway 6 (which runs through Caledonia) is under construction.

I feel kind of stupid right now.  I've always tried to obey the law.  I should immediately open a business on government property without a licence and without paying any tax.

I can see it now...

"Selma's Smokes N' Staffords"

Open Day & Nite - We Will Not be Undersold!

Come on Down!

I'll make a bundle while the Attorney General decides whether or not he should try to put me out of business.

*

Here's the email from Toby:

Re: Alleged illegal driveway access to Highway #6

Toby here,

My office is receiving phone calls today advising me that there is now a driveway under construction from Highway #6 to a smoke shack on Ontario Realty Corporation property.

I have made a call to the Transportation Minister’s office asking that they investigate immediately.

I am encouraging you to voice your concern as well – following is the contact information for the Minister of Transportation.

The Honourable Jim  Bradley
General Inquiry: 416-327-9200

Fax: 416-327-9188

Address: Ferguson Block
3rd Flr
77 Wellesley St W
Toronto ON M7A1Z8

Take care.

I'm a little late posting this story from British Columbia, where the typical machinations leading to a 'breed' ban have started in the wake of a bite a few weeks ago by an alleged 'pit bull'.

It sounds as though this guy was being eatern from the ground up, to borrow a colourful phrase from our wacky former Attorney General.  The victim likens the appearance of his leg to a 'pork chop'.

I'm sure the local citizens will be standing on the lawn of the legislature with torches and pitchforks, flooding the local tabloids with letters full of 'facts', demanding the extermination of the 'breed' and trolling their tushies off on the intertube comment boards.

'I became dinner,' says B.C. dog-attack victim

Christopher Sun ,  Canwest News Service

Published: Wednesday, May 28

BURNABY  - The search is on for the owners of two dogs that attacked a man, biting his leg to the bone.

David Scoular also broke a couple of his ribs, twisted his knee and hurt his neck from hopping a one-metre fence in an attempt to flee from the attacking dogs near Burnaby Lake on May 18.

"It looks like a pork chop that opened up," Scoular said, explaining how his leg looked after the attack. "The (Labrador retriever) bit right to the bone and ripped it."

It took three paragraphs to discover the 'breed' of the attacking dog, which is definite progress.  That information is usually buried unless it's a mutt who can be labeled a 'pit bull', no matter how bizarre that designation may be.  In those cases, the shape appears in the headline.

So, how about it, British Columbians?  Are you ready to ban Labrador retrievers?  We'd like a change of pace over here at Banned Aid, things are much too predictable lately.

Surprise us.

Lloyd Levine, who seemed to be either a fifth columnist for the militant animals rights team or one of their Useful Idiots, is toast.

In case you've forgotten (ha ha) he was the author of the infamous AB1634 which proposed statewide mandatory sterilization for every dog in California by the age of four months, regardless of breed, regardless of size.  Actually, it wasn't directed at every dog.  Those who live in hellish puppy mills were to be exempt.  The Bill planned to target the dogs owned by hobby breeders, working dog owners and pet lovers.

The newshounds over at the Pet Connection have the story.

Tyrone Yates has had second thoughts about his proposed statewide ban -  the search-and-destroy variety - on 'pit bulls'.

He's decided that perhaps it wasn't too logical and might have been a bit Draconian.

He's right.

Giving credit where due, at least Yates had the guts to admit he'd made a mistake and is trying to put things right for the people of Ohio.  For that, he'll get respect, unlike some politicians I could name.

KC Dog Blog has the details.

Note:  Posting has been super-light lately for various reasons. 

I'll be working the DLCC booth at Woofstock this weekend in Toronto. Drop down and say 'Hi' if you're in the area (Front Street between Church and Jarvis).  We'll have t-shirts for sale, some designed by me.  All proceeds to the Ontario legal fund.

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