City officials recieve thousands of pit bull complaints

 

by Shaun Garrity

Although the pit bull is prohibited in Windsor the city still receives numerous complaints every year.

In 2005 a ban known as Bill 132 was introduced and passed by the provincial legislative assembly. This means that Ontarians are prohibited from owning, breeding, transferring, importing or abandoning pit bulls. Those who already own pit bulls before the ban are allowed to keep them.

Manager of Compliance and Enforcement with the city, Ann Kalinowski said Windsor realizes pit bulls are problematic in the area.

“There are 9000 complaints each year about pit bulls,” said Kalinowski.

Kalinowski also mentioned the Dog Owners Liability Act which revises Bill 132. The law states pit bulls are banned in Ontario, but the breed is showing up in dog pounds.

Melanie Coulter, Executive Director for the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, said she sees quite a few pit bulls in the area and there are a lot of dogs that are mixed breeds that people may call a pit bull.

“The reality is it is difficult to identify what is a pit bull and what is not,” said Coulter.

She said the DOLA leaves it up to the veterinarian to observe whether it is a pit bull. Coulter said there are many dogs that people would call a pit bull, but would not be a restricted breed or just a mix. She believes the breed should not be prohibited and the government should lift the ban.

“If a Labrador bites someone it does not make the news, but if it’s a pit bull it does,” said Coulter.

Bill Tetler, bylaw enforcement officer for the city, said not only pure breeds are restricted, but also any dog that has the physical characteristics of pit bull. He said if a person is caught with a pit bull they will get a warning and approximately six days to relocate the dog outside the province.

When Windsorites fail to comply the second time that is when the Humane Society steps in and the dog will be euthanized.

“We charge them, we do not take the dogs,” said Tetler.

Kalinowski said the City does not have the equipment to detain dogs and it is the duty of the Humane Society. She said since 2005 the number of complaints has gone down, but she still receives numerous complaints.