March 2005 News

Photographs from the Toronto Sportsmen's Show March 16-20, 2005

Three photo collages from the recent Toronto Sportsmen's Show courtesy of Julie King. Congratulations to Tracy Dineley for organizing the SBTCC Booth at the show, and thanks to all who came out to help or lend moral support. It was a great success; our dogs were shown as they really are, friendly and well-behaved (just like their wonderful, responsible owners).

15-Mar-2005 06:17 PM

Now Starring at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show March 16-20, 2005

See Staffies in their Natural Habitat: Sleeping on a Couch!

Tracy Dineley has worked very hard and arranged that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada will have a booth at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show. Their booth space -- booth # 9400 will be set up like a living room with a couch and easy chair. You will be able to observe Staffordshire Bull Terriers in their natural habitat, sleeping the day away, snoring like buzz-saws, and giving out big kisses. Come on! That sounds like a lot of fun!!!

The Golden Horseshoe American Pit Bull Terrier Club along with the Dog Legislation Council of Canada will have a booth, as will the American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Canada.

Please tell everyone you know to head down to the sportsman show and give us support. It is important that people learn that our dogs are not anything like what Michael Bryant has said.

06-Mar-2005 07:58 PM

Message to Members and Responsible Dog Owners

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada has always and will always have a two pronged approach to fighting Bill 132. First, we will always support through our efforts and funds the overturning of any breed specific legislation in Canada. Second, we will take every opportunity to defend the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and use it to show just how ridiculous BSL is. Remember, the primary mandate for our Club, enshrined in our constitution, is to promote all that is in the best interest of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. We will continue doing this!

The Executive of the Club has always been and will always be 100% behind the beliefs and goals of the Banned Aid Coalition. The Executive also emphatically supports our representative on the BAC, Julie King, and wish to take this opportunity to thank her for the effort and determination she has put into all methods of opposing Bill 132.

We also believe that all groups in the Banned Aid Coalition should have a united plan for fund-raising, dissemination of information, and methods used to combat the Liberal Government in Ontario.

We have a difficult task ahead. We only have one enemy - it is the Liberal Government.

Clive Wilkinson,
President, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada.

06-Mar-2005 06:28 PM

ACTION PLAN

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE

Bill 132 has passed. It will receive Royal Assent later this year and become law. So, what now?

If you are Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner go to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada web site:

• http://www.staffordcanada.com/

Become a member of the club if you are not:

• http://www.staffordcanada.com/memapp.html

It is imperative that we contact our MPPs. Let your MPP know that you oppose this law and that or he or she will hear your voice in the next election in 2007.

• http://olaap.ontla.on.ca/mpp/daIndex.do?locale=en

This bill will cost the taxpayers of Ontario millions of dollars to enforce, money better spent on health care and other areas of public safety. As well, the government ignored other non-breed specific legislative strategies that have proved to work in jurisdictions such as Calgary. [Full Story]

04-Mar-2005 07:51 PM

Dear Editor

By Eric Sparling

"The media is my friend. The media is my friend."

Repeat this mantra to yourself over and over again. It's often not true, but it will help prepare you for one of the most important tasks you can perform in the fight against breed discrimination. [Full Story]

01-Mar-2005 09:48 PM

Continuing the Challenge

Dear Members of the Club and All Responsible Dog Owners,

Our Executive is saddened that such hastily conceived and irresponsible legislation has passed into law in a legislative assembly in Canada. The Ontario Government under Dalton McGuinty and his Attorney General Michael Bryant have concocted legislation that will be proven ineffective, unfortunately at the cost of many other victims being bitten and innocent dogs put down. The stupidity and arrogance of such men is beyond belief.

Where do we go from here? There will be a court challenge. When this starts will be entirely up to Clayton Ruby. Mr. Ruby has been hired by the Banned Aid Coalition, comprising of a number of dog clubs and dog associations. The challenge will be very expensive. If you are in a position to help financially a donation is appreciated. There will be official fund raising enterprises that all will be asked to contribute in one way or another. We must understand that overturning government legislation is both a difficult and a long process. We must also understand that while the legislation is being challenged in court the law is still in force. There is no grace period while the legislation is being challenged.

We can fight this legislation by becoming politically active. In two and a half years time there will be an election. It is up to you to decide which political party in your riding has the ability to defeat the Liberal member of the legislature. This party must be supported and helped. You must be active in writing letters to the newspapers, not just about dogs, but about all issues where this government has failed the people of Ontario. There are many voters on the other end of a leash, make sure we involve them. We need to gather bite statistics. We must see to it that all vicious attacks are reported in the press and that the breed of the dog is correctly identified. By gathering such information and having it reported correctly is a major way of embarrassing the government and showing the people of Ontario that Bill 132 is not working.

Our Executive believe that this is the most important time to be a member of the club . All members must be able to contact each other for advice and support. The web page will keep you up to date of what is happening and what you should be doing. We must be strong and we must be united. Members from outside Ontario must understand that Michael Bryant has publicly stated he hopes that other provinces and states follow Ontario's example. Today, in the press, he was quoted as saying:

"I would anticipate that other states and provinces across North America will pursue it when they see that, in fact, in Ontario it got safer with this bill."

Both courses of action will take time and energy. Our patience and courage will be tested at all times. We must not endanger ourselves or our dogs. We must fight! Squibs told me to tell you to look into your Stafford's eyes, see the love and determination there and emulate it. They will not let us down! We will not let them down!

Pat your dogs for me.

Clive.

Julie King Appointed SBTCC Life Member

The Executive of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada wishes to express its admiration and gratitude to Julie King for the time and effort she has put into fighting Bill 132. Her sacrifice for our breed has been unstinting. It is our fervent wish that it will continue. As Squib's says, "She has been a Stafford".

For everything she has done for us and our Breed the Executive have unanimously appointed Julie as a Life Member of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada.

Legal Defense Fund: Fighting Bill 132 and Breed Specific Legislation

01-March-2005

The SBTCC is a member of the Banned Aid Coalition, which also comprises the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Canada, Golden Horseshoe APBT Club, and the Advocates for the Underdog. The site has an online auction with the proceeds going to the legal fund to fight BSL.

"Bu" and Mike Kelly enjoy Staffie Tales

Cheques for our legal defense fund can be sent to:

• Belle Campeau
• 7339 Fourth Line Rd.
• RR#4
• Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

Please make payable to "Belle Campeau - LEGAL DEFENCE ACCOUNT". We will provide a full accounting for the use of these funds when required. If you would like your donation to apply specifically to be used to hire a lawyer please mark "Legal retainer" on your cheque.

Other Ways to Donate

1. Deposit at any CIBC bank directly into the Banned Aid Legal Fund:
   Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
   Penhorn Mall
   Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
   Account 00513 010 1526839
2. Send cheques or money orders directly to Mr Ruby at the following address,c/o BANNED AID LEGAL CHALLENGE FUND:
   Ruby & Edwardh
   11 Prince Arthur Ave.
   Toronto, Ont.
   M5R1B2
   (416)964-9664
3. Make an online payment by sending a bill payment to
   treasurer@doglegislationcouncilcanada.org
4. Donate by PAY PAL - go to www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org and click on the donate link.
5. Mail a cheque payable to the DLCC:
   Cathy Prothro
   351 Pleasant Street
   Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 3S4
   Canada
6. Buy something in the Banned Aid Auction www.bannedaid.com.

01-Mar-2005 09:43 PM

Bill 132 Passes 3rd Reading in the Legislature.

Bill 132 has been passed on 3rd reading by a vote of 56 to 23. The bill now awaits Royal Assent before it becomes law. Please check Hansard to see how your MPP voted.

01-March-2005

Vote on 3rd Reading of Bill 132 to be held Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

Debate on 3rd Reading of Bill 132 was held on Monday, February 28, 2005. The vote on the bill will be on March 1, 2005. If you can not attend the debate, it will be broadcast live on the Ontario Legislative channel. Please check with your cable or satellite provider for the channel. Coverage begins at 1:30 pm EST. Please watch to see how your MPP votes.

01-March-2005

Ladysmith, British Columbia proposes BSL amendments to its dog control bylaws. Includes Staffies.

The town of Ladysmith, British Columbia has proposed BSL amendments to its dog control bylaw. The amendments define "pit bulls" as restricted dogs and "pit bulls" are defined as a:

Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier; and any dog of mixed breeding, which includes the aforementioned breeds.

01-March-2005

Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Liability Insurance

"When you hear the phrase 'one million dollar liability insurance' it sounds so daunting. What exactly does this mean?" SBTCC member Christine Wiebe Buchanan, M.Sc. offers this article on obtaining homeowner's insurance for you and your Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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