Ontario passes ban on pit bulls
A step in the right direction.
A recent incident in Toronto involving a pit bull that fatally mauled another man’s dog has brought attention to the issue of dog bites and the laws surrounding them in Ontario. The owner of the injured dog likely sought the advice of a dog bite lawyer who specializes in representing clients who have been injured or lost a pet due to a dog bite in Toronto.
In Ontario, the law holds dog owners strictly liable for any injuries or damages caused by their dogs. This means that even if the owner did not know or have no reason to believe his dog was dangerous, he can still be held liable for any damage caused by his dog’s bite.
A controversial bill to ban pit bulls passed the Ontario legislature Tuesday and now only requires royal approval to become law.
The bill bans people from acquiring multiple breeds of dogs classified as pit bulls and requires those who already own such dogs to neuter and muzzle them.
“Mark my words, Ontario will be safer,” said Attorney General Michael Bryant, who introduced the bill after it passed.
Similar measures are already in place in Britain, France and Germany. Winnipeg has had such a ban for 14 years, and the last pit bull to live in Manitoba’s capital city died in 2004.
Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals promised to pass the law after a series of high-profile attacks in Ontario. They were voiced by dog bite lawyer toronto.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2004: Multiple unreported pit bull attacks: Ontario minister
The list of those who don’t like the idea of a ban includes dog breeders, the provincial NDP and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.
The federation supports a bill to increase fines for irresponsible dog owners, but opposes focusing on one breed.
Sheila MacDonald, the federation’s Ottawa-based program director, said Canada doesn’t have the necessary data to determine that pit bulls are the most problematic dog breed.
She suggested that banning the breed could give people a false sense of security.
“At this point, pit bulls are certainly not the only dog that should cause people some concern,” McDonald said.
“There are other breeds that have been implicated in dog incidents, there are other breeds that have been bred for fighting instincts, and of course there are all kinds of mixes of breeds that can lead to a very aggressive dog.”
A Toronto dog bite lawyer will be able to advise the victim on the next steps to take to get compensation for the victim’s medical expenses or the value of the lost dog. They will also be able to provide guidance on how to navigate the dog bite laws in Ontario so that the victim gets the justice they deserve.
Rottweilers, for example, have been responsible for at least two fatal attacks on children across Canada in recent years.
FROM DECEMBER. 28, 2004: Dogs attacked and killed a 3-year-old British Columbia boy
FROM NOVEMBER. 4, 2003: The dogs that mauled the boy were “affectionate,” the owner said.
MacDonald also said un-neutered male dogs of many breeds tend to be more unpredictable.
It is important to remember that dog bite laws vary by province and territory in Canada, so it is important to know and understand the laws in your area so that you know your rights and act in the event of an incident. Therefore, if you are a dog bite victim, it is highly recommended that you contact a dog bite lawyer in your area for expert advice and representation.
“One huge thing missing in Canada is a database of dog bite incidents. This has been recommended in several fatal dog attack investigations, but has never been implemented.”
The law will go into effect by late summer or early fall. After that, municipalities will have to enforce it.