Wag the Dog

To recap some of the year's events just for old times sake:

- Over the course of the year we held many fund-raising events with most months including numerous events back to back. In the coming year it is a pressing matter that we need to raise a lot more money for the legal fund.

- We held events in many provinces across Canada this year. It is important to get people involved across the country since this legal challenge here in Ontario is precedent setting for what the future will hold for other provinces.

- In March the ruling for our case came down. Justice Thea P. Herman found that three areas of the Ontario government's amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

- A pet food recall swept through North America. Many pets were affected, some fell ill and a few lost their lives. The source of the contaminated product was traced to China.

- California withdrew the controversial AB1634. This proposed legislation required the vast majority of pets to be sterilized by the age of 4 months.  

- May 9th was the second (un)anniversary of the Denver ban.

- Aug 29th was the second (un)anniversary of the Ontario ban.

- PETA was tried in court for killing adoptable animals and dumping the bodies in dumpsters. Later in the year there was another case where an individual with strong ties to the group was tried on charges of dog-napping.

- PETA and HSUS were heard on every news channel flapping their gums about the Micheal Vick case. Micheal Vick, (former) quarterback for the Falcons, was charged in an illegal dog fighting ring. He received 2 years less a month earlier this month. Read more on this case over at caveat.

- There was a child fatality just south of Ottawa in July. Here is an article from the Ottawa Citizen.

- Paul Tellings filed for reconsideration of the decision from the Supreme Court of Ohio ruling. He vowed to take the case to the US Supreme Court. Caveat has several articles on the Ohio case.

- The McGuinty Liberals legislated themselves a nice big FAT raise, to the tune of 31% including benefits. (but who is counting?)

- PC MPP Bob Runciman introduced an animal cruelty bill, but the house closed 3 weeks early. He just re-introduced an animal cruelties bill earlier this month.

- Oct 10th will be a day we dog owners in Ontario will never forget! It was the day the right wing, ban-o-holic Liberals took a second majority government in Ontariostan. What a mind blowing experience to watch the results unfold before your eyes. I still haven't got over that one!

- The (former) AG Michael Bryant (head ban-o-holic) lost his job as AG and was moved to Government House Leader and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

- There was a ruling in Spokane Washington, where dangerous dog procedures were found unconstitutional. For more information on this go to caveat.

- Sweden passes an excellent law on dangerous dogs, which is being enacted Jan 1/08. To see a news article on this law visit this link.

Well there you have it, a quick synopsis of the year. We had some excitement and some disappointments. This war is likened to a roller coaster with many ups and downs. The thought of BSL makes my stomach turn quicker than any roller coaster. Living in a state of second class citizenship is enough to make one contemplate jumping ship and moving to, oh I don't know, how about SWEDEN?

Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind, however until we restore our rights here in Ontariostan it is better to hang around.  BSL is like a stray, it will follow you where ever you go. I would hate to be sipping drinks with umbrellas in Sweden while my American Staffordshire Terriers frolick around me. I would be thinking of all of you, back here suffering at the hands of the ban-o-holics in this fair province we call Ontariostan.

Onward 2008! All aboard the crazy train of fighting irrational fear, knee jerk reactions and idiocy!

Common sense WILL prevail…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!