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| Great White North |
| Province to ban pit bulls |
| 2004-10-16 |
| A PROVINCIAL ban on pit bulls is a happy end to a terrible story for Louise Ellis. Ten years ago, she stood over her 5-year-old daughter's unconscious, bloodied body as a pit bull held the young girl's face in its iron jaws. "That had to be the most terrifying, horrific experience of my life, and having legislation enacted to rid these beasts from my society I think is the right thing to do," Ellis said. Moments before she recounted the event yesterday, Ontario's Attorney General Michael Bryant confirmed plans to ban the controversial breed and crack down on irresponsible owners of any dangerous dog. Bryant said he's heard enough to be convinced the dogs are "ticking time bombs" and "inherently dangerous animals." "For every family that tells me their pit bull is a pussycat, I'd like to introduce them to the family in Sudbury who regretted that judgment," he said during an impassioned speech. "Enough is enough," Bryant said. "We cannot have these animals walking the streets, the fields or the family rooms of Ontario." Within the next month Bryant will be introducing proposed legislation to initiate the ban and impose heavier fines and up to six months' jail time for owners of vicious dogs. The new law will also strengthen search-and-seizure powers, enabling officials to enter property without a warrant under situations deemed to be an emergency. The ban would be phased in over three months once legislation is passed. After that , no pit bulls can be bred, sold, imported or possessed in Ontario. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |