If they successfully ban pit bulls because people see them as being scary and dangerous it's a slippery slope until all companion dogs are banned because any dog is capable of killing a child (which is absolutely true and which is a really strong reason NOT to have breed specific legislation) - so then maybe we just shouldn't allow any dogs over 30 pounds... but the breed standard for pit bulls starts at 30 something pounds - the American pit bull terrier, when properly identified - is actually not a large dog... so what do you do? Ban dogs altogether - even tiny dogs can kill babies, right? So just ban all dogs everywheres, just get them all off the face of the earth - that's the only logical answer. And I think that's actually on the minds of a lot of people. Right now there's carte blanche on dogs in North America - people can be as mean as they want to you if you own a dog - dog haters rule the world. And that's got to change. They are living, sentient beings just like us and deserve to be in our lives if we choose to have them there.
The people who are much smarter than most of us at Goodpooch.com have once again come up with a super article and sent it around that has some absolutely fabulous insights that need to be shared with as many people as possible. So here it is:
Canadians Are Under Attack By Their Own Governments
Completely law-abiding citizens are under attack in Canada! Despite protections entrenched in law as part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadians are being presumed guilty and having their property seized without due process. According to the Charter, Canadians are protected from discrimination.
15.(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination...
When two dog owners stand side by side, what legal precedent allows the government to punish one based solely on the appearance of his/her dog?
So, how can this happen?
Well, situations like this happen all the time, all over the world, wherever people stand by and do nothing while governments abuse or break the laws that protect the rights and personal freedoms of private citizens.
Thousands and thousands of completely innocent dog owners in Canada not only stand accused, but are on the verge of being found guilty of atrocities such as dog attacks and irresponsible dog ownership, without trial, without evidence, and without even a shred of scientific support for these charges, if various municipal and provincial governments have their way.
"Presumed guilty with no opportunity to prove one's innocence."
None of the individuals proposing these draconian measures are experts in the area of discussion. Few, if any, of their supporters demonstrate expertise.
True experts have been outspoken. Scientists are unwavering. Public safety groups are unequivocal. Holding innocent people accountable for the acts of a tiny number of negligent people is not only impractical and unenforceable, it is also patently unjust and probably unconstitutional.
Even if the laws are hastily passed, they will eventually be struck down since they are without merit and cannot be enforced. The tragedy is, in the mean time, thousands and thousands of perfectly innocent Canadians and their families will have been seriously harmed, either financially, emotionally, or both. It is also likely that hundreds, if not thousands of completely innocent dogs will be killed for no reason other than human ignorance.
Responsible dog owners should not be held accountable for the acts of others. In fact, no individual should be held accountable for the acts of others.
Canada's great shame is taking place right now. Do you support a policy that would hold the innocent majority responsible for the actions of a tiny few? Do you want to live in a world where innocent animals are abused by way of cruel and unnecessary confinement or through the mandatory use of barbaric muzzles around their heads?
The Canadian Federal Government must protect lawful Canadian citizens from this kind of miscarriage of justice. Just as many American state governments have already done, we call on the Canadian government to make breed-specific bans or restrictions illegal in Canada, at least until such a time as their validity and effectiveness can be scientifically proven.
Please take a few moments to write to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada at: webadmin@justice.gc.ca
- or write to -
The Honourable Irwin Cotler
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8
You may also write to the Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, at:
pm@pm.gc.ca
- or write to -
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
We leave you with some quotations to consider:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Gandhi
"If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals." - Albert Einstein
"The thinking person must oppose all cruel customs no matter how deeply rooted in tradition and surrounded by a halo. When we have a choice, we must avoid bringing torment and injury into the life of another... " - Albert Schweitzer
"May all that have life be delivered from suffering." - Buddha
"Any society which does not insist upon respect for all life must necessarily decay." - Albert Einstein
"What we don't know, we fear. What we fear, we hate. What we hate, we destroy." - Chief Dan George
Please join the Dog Legislation Council of Canada and help them fight to protect the rights of all Canadians. http://www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org
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