IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER Support Hershey’s Bill 43 professional groups were selected to testify at the public hearings held in Ontario. 42 out of 43 professional experts testified against the ban. Reverse onus is now in law. This means you are automatically guilty until you WHAT IS BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION prove innocence, a clear violation of the SHORT LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST BSL (BSL)? Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Animal Behaviour Consultants Commonly referred to in Ontario as the Illegal search and seizure is now law; Algoma Dog Fanciers American Dog Owners Association “pit bull” ban; Since it is very difficult, if not impossible American Veterinary Medical Association to determine a dog’s breed without Animal Farm Foundation Ontario’s BSL prohibits the ownership of Animal Alliance Of Canada American Pit Bull Terriers, American proper documents, BSL can and does Animal Hospital Of Kitchener-Waterloo target a multitude of innocent dogs based ASPCA Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Association Of Animal Shelter Administrators Of Ontario Terriers and any dog born after November solely on appearance. BSL does not take Banned Aid Coalition 2019 into consideration how responsible a dog Barrie Kennel & Obedience Club Inc. 2005 that could be deemed “substantially Beaver Creek Animal Hospital similar”; owner is, or how well socialized, well Best Friends Animal Society behaved or trained their dog may be. Bracebridge Animal Hospital All “pit bull” type dogs born before Brantford & District Kennel & Obedience Club Canadian Association Of Professional Pet Dog Trainers November 2005 must be sterilized, Canadian Dog Judges Association licensed and registered as "potentially Canadian Federation Of Humane Societies dangerous"; Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Any dogs born after 2005 deemed to be City of Ottawa City of Hamilton “pit bull” type can be automatically seized Dog Legislation Council of Canada (with or without a warrant) and either Gemini K9 Obedience Inc. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? Georgina Kennel And Obedience Club destroyed or sent to an animal research Grey-Bruce Veterinary Association facility. Since 2005 thousands of mixed Visit www.SupportHersheysBill.com and Humane Society Of Canada send your letter of support. Let your MPP Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society mutts and many litters of puppies have Limestone Valley Animal Hospital know you do not personally support BSL National Canine Research Council been unjustly killed. Educate yourself: visit the links provided National Companion Animal Coalition North American Flyball Association WHAT IS A “PIT BULL”? Educate others: pass on information, Ontario Coalition Against BSL Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) The term "pit bull" has become an umbrella studies and links to friends and family Ottawa Citizens Against BSL Have an open mind: not everything one Ottawa Humane Society term used to describe dogs with similar Ottawa Kennel Club physical characteristics to the three hears in the media is based in fact; Responsible Dog Owners of Canada Participate in rallies/protests. Bring your Rottweiler Club Of Canada registered banned breeds. This term is used Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals to profile other registered or mixed breed co-workers, friends and family; Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada Remember you can make a difference Toronto Humane Society dogs by appearance. In spite of what people and save an innocent dog’s life! United Kennel Club are led to believe…. There is no such breed as a “pit bull”. HERSHEY’S BILL WHY BSL DOES NOT WORK RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS' PHILOSOPHY To date there have been six private members Does not deal with irresponsible owners; bills tabled at Queens Park to repeal the Very loosely written law putting many My dog is my beloved companion, not my breed specific portions of the Dog Owners’ purebred and mixed breed dogs at risk; accessory or possession; Liability Act (DOLA) and to amend The Targets innocent family dogs. Current law My dog is vaccinated, spayed/neutered Animals for Research Act. A new bill, Bill 147, is based on appearance not behaviour; and receives regular veterinary care; was tabled by the current Ontario Dogs can be seized from good homes and government on November 18, 2019. The bill My dog is fed a canine diet appropriate to euthanized without question or warrant; his size, breed, energy and activity level; is currently moving through parliamentary Professional research worldwide has process. My dog has been well socialized from shown aggression is not based on any puppyhood to a wide variety of people, particular breed or type of dog; Hershey’s Bill originally presented by MPP objects and situations; Cheri DiNovo was named to honour a gentle Overall bite statistics have not dropped since BSL was enacted in 2005; My dog is trained with positive “pit bull” named Hershey. She was used as a reinforcement, not punishment and is The ban targets dogs, not owners and breeding dog in a puppy mill. Hershey was under my control; rescued by a shelter where she was adopted does not educate children or the general My dog and I receive practical guidance in by her angel, Jennifer. Jennifer socialized, public on how to safely interact with dogs trained and showered Hershey with love and of all breeds and types; training from professionals to solve affection. Hershey went on to become a Costly to taxpayers. Wastes court time; problems; Certified St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog. Onus needs to be on irresponsible owners My dog does not run at large. I exercise Hershey was very attached to the seniors she with both fines and laws directed at my pet as much as his nature requires; would visit, as they were to Hershey. In 2005 individuals who do not properly train, My dog is never isolated by tethering or this “pit bull” type dog was presented with care for or socialize their pets. excessive kennelling; an award from the Toronto Humane Society My dog is never left unsupervised with for her outstanding therapy work with small children or small animals; seniors and her restricted breed status in Ontario. BSL forced Hershey into retirement My dog is licensed, leashed and muzzled and she could no longer work as a therapy according to Provincial and municipal dog in Ontario. She was now considered a “PIT BULL” FACTS requirements. “dangerous” dog. Hershey’s Bill honours Used for therapy, service, search & Hershey a “pit bull” who changed the hearts rescue; and minds of those who knew her. INFORMATION & RESOURCES Sgt. Stubby, a “pit bull” type dog served www.supporthersheysbill.com along side his master during WWI; www.endtheban.ca www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com APBT scored a 87.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (AST: 85.2%; SBT: 91.2%)(April 2016); Hershey “Petey” from the Little Rascals was an American Pit Bull Terrier mix; Helen Keller’s therapy dog was an American Pit Bull Terrier.