kola

that's wasso very sad

well done for getting into vet times

brill idea, i would love to have that info to give out Amanda

what a cutie and who is the little fellow in the background perched on the back of the chair Amanda

and how about the choice of registering of a dog before it is seized, eg, owner led? Amanda

http://torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2...431208-sun.html 500 dogs killed in pit bull ban's wake The city has put down 500 pit bulls and other similar dogs since the province targeted the canines in a tougher provincial law that took affect 16 months ago. Toronto animal control officials report a 13% increase in the number of pit bulls -- and other dogs of similar breeds -- that have been destroyed when comparing the 16-month periods following and prior to the changes to the Dog Owners' Liability Act on Aug. 29, 2005. The city euthanized 441 pit bull-type canines -- 59 fewer -- during the 16 months before the law took affect. "It's significant enough -- certainly to those 59 dogs," said Eletta Purdy, manager of Toronto Animal Services. She added yesterday that the increase is likely due to provisions that prevent animal officials from putting up banned pit bulls for adoption. The legislation bans ownership of pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and any other dog that possesses characteristics of those singled out on the list. However, exemptions are granted if someone in Ontario owned one of the targeted dogs at the time the law was enacted. Animal control officials cannot put dogs up for adoption if they do not qualify for an exemption to an ownership ban. Purdy said she doesn't know whether the legislation's anti-pit bull provisions have made Toronto a safer place. "I don't know that pit bulls, per se, were the main issue as far as dealing with dog bites and attacks," she said. "I think the issue was mainly having to do with specific dogs and their behaviour as opposed to a breed group." Animal control is now determining the number of pit bull attacks on humans that have occurred since the legislation came into force. Purdy said the law does have measures that allow animal control to better deal with menacing dogs in general. Lee Oliver, of the Toronto Humane Society, which opposes the breed- specific ban, said he believes those enforcing the legislation in Ontario are too quick to put down the dogs. "If people will slow down and pay attention, we don't have to be euthanizing all these dogs," he added. Oliver said that when there's doubt, animal control officials are destroying pit bulls instead of asking questions. Of the 122 dogs up for adoption at the Toronto Humane Society yesterday, 50 of the pit bulls had had owners. FACTS SINCE THE LEGISLATION TOOK EFFECT City animal control officials have euthanized 500 pit bulls and other similar dogs since new provincial legislation kicked in August 2005: - 122 of the euthanized animals were put down at the request of an owner. - Concerns about temperament or behaviour prompted the euthanization of 107 of the animals. - The courts ordered eight to be destroyed. - Another 195 were put down because they were banned -- no evidence someone owned them prior to the implementation of the law. - 26 for health reasons. - 42 were euthanized for other reasons. - The city estimates there are 250,000 dogs in Toronto. Dog owners have purchased licences for 24,267 pets. Of that total, 1,185 of the licences are for pit bulls and dogs of similar breeds. - Animal control officers have laid 137 charges against owners since the new legislation came into force in connection with 93 pit bull- related complaints. - Changes to the Dog Owners' Liability Act ban people from owning pit bulls, Straffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers or any other dog that has the characteristics of those. - Those who continue to own pit bulls must abide by regulations that require they be sterilized and leashed and muzzled in public.

Revised statement from the Blue cross, their Chairman wanted a couple of bits changing, here is the new version, replaces the last one, permission to use on deednotbreed The Blue Cross voices concerns over ‘dog amnesties’ Since the tragic death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson in Merseyside earlier this month, there has been widespread public debate on the subject of so-called ‘dangerous dogs’. This has led to calls from some police forces and public figures for a nationwide ‘dog amnesty’, where dog owners can surrender any ‘dangerous dogs’ to authorities without fear of prosecution. While public safety is of paramount concern, The Blue Cross is concerned about the nature and administration of any such amnesties, which could result in hundreds of innocent family pets being needlessly destroyed. The Blue Cross has more than 100 years’ experience in caring for abandoned and problem pets, which has taught us that no animal becomes dangerous as a result of breeding alone. Animal behaviour research supports this view that a dog’s behaviour is affected more by its upbringing, training and the behaviour of its owner than genetics alone. We believe that a dog whose breed is termed as ‘dangerous’ under the law has every chance of fulfilling a loving family life if treated in an appropriate and responsible way. Equally, any dog has the potential to act in an aggressive or threatening manner as a result of bad experiences or in the hands of an irresponsible owner. Focusing attention on particular breeds rather than the responsibilities of owners to train dogs correctly fails to reduce risk to the public whilst condemning well-trained family pets to death. The law allows for dogs of a ‘dangerous’ breed that do not exhibit ‘dangerous’ characteristics to be entered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs, allowing them to remain with their owners under strict guidelines. However, this Index has been closed, sealing the fate of any dogs of ‘dangerous’ breeds by requiring their automatic destruction. In the event of a dog amnesty on any scale, The Blue Cross would urge the authorities to reopen the Index of Exempted Dogs for an extended period to give all dogs the chance to prove that they can be safe and loving pets with the right ownership. ENDS. sorry moderators, i've used the 'report' button by mistake instead of a normal pm, amanda x

just spoke with Blue Cross senior PR lady, thanked them, permission to use on deednotbreed given amanda x

contacted Wood Green yesterday and they are sending a comment, should have today, also spoke with senior PR lady at the Blue Cross about situation yesterday, she has just confirmed that the Blue cross are making a statement, amanda

it has to be the Dogs Trust and/or kennel Club who stand up as they are powerful enough to be heard and taken notice of, but every one must also do their bit, just difficult as we don't know what is going to happen next, we are flat out just answering calls from worried people, everyone is clambering for advice, i've got local people near me asking if their dogs are 'types' today, panic and misinformation is spreading, The Kennel Club statement http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/825 Amanda

Your dog doesn't have to answer yes to every point, if you end up in court the important point is that you go in 'guilty' - the onus of proof is reversed, you are guilty until proven innocent, an allegation only has to be made and it is up to you to prove that your dog is not of the 'type', when the Act was originally drafted they thought there might be difficulty in deciding what is and is not not a prohibited dog, so they reversed the burden of proof, the Amendment of 1997 did not change this point. Amanda

Hope she is feeling bit better, any news? Amanda x

okay, thanks got that, will get some up, Amanda

Is there a poster advertising March-could get some up, at pet shop etc also if someone wants to come and isn't online, do you need them to confirm they coming by phone, is there a contact tel number for March details for anyone not online, I got asked down pet shop today 'who' is organising it - is there a name of the group of volunteers who got together sorry more quetions Amanda

puppy school by gwen bailey is a good read, 7 steps to the perfect puppy - easy to follow and plenty of photos too to help explain, good for 1st time puppy owner too Amanda

we organised two marches through London in the 90s (against breed specific legislation), a well used route and one we did was from hyde park corner to trafalgar square, hyde park was a good starting point as there is enough room for people and dogs to assemble, the route to the square takes you right thru the heart of it all, the traffic was stopped, it was a weird feeling holding a great big banner at the front, then everyone all behind, loud speaker thingy-designated person with a loud clear voice lol, dogs at front with banner, then at the square there was a rally-speakers which holds the interest and finishes it off well, a delegation went to no10 and delivered the petition-more photo opportunities, on our second attempt if memory is correct we had a van at front with posters on it-you could use a flat low loader and decorate it out but police permisssion essential, our committee met with the police and discussed numbers of people expected to attend, route, dogs, stewards needed-reflective tops, name badges, collecting buckets, then the speakers at the square, pa system, leaflets, registration of any vehicles used, times etc, the police were very helpful, once they have all the info they need a date can be booked and then its down to the organisers to get a good turnout and also regulate - especially the numbers of dogs expected, facilities to tidy up and not forgetting press and photo shoots to get max. coverage, once a date is set-press release to launch and more detailed input such as the banners, literature, speakers to ask etc, it's a shame tony banks isn't around as he was always behind marches and was a brillant speaker at the square, carla lane attended ours but then there wasn't much in the way of internet - but now just some ideas amanda

two white missing staffs on here; http://www.lost-doggies.com/modules/myalbu...itleA&pos=0 Amanda

Let Wendy at clever staffs know and she has passed on to her staffie contacts in that area, amanda

Big Hug to Glor, I remember reading about your case a while back and wondered what the outcome was, well done to everyone at EGAR who went the extra miile to help an innocent dog, if you was allowed over here or I lived somehwhere else - i would be first in line to offer you a fireside to live by, you certainly deserve it. Good luck in finding a new home Amanda www.endangereddogs.com

The idiots can't damage you any more, run free brave one, you'll be met with open arms on the other side Amanda