We asked people to share their stories of life under breed-specific legislation for our #BSLbytes campaign. Thank you to this Quebec resident for sharing her story of how BSL affects life not only out and about, and through harnesses and muzzles, but in the sanctity of one's own home.
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"This really struck home for me today.
We're all fighting for our precious dogs, but I'm going to take a minute to highlight another aspect of what #equipecoderre has done to us, the citizens of Montreal.
I've lived in Verdun, Montreal since I was 17 years old, so almost 20 years now (minus a short hiatus in Ottawa) and in that time I have NEVER worried about locking my doors when I'm home or at night. NEVER. Even when I only had two cats, I never locked my doors. I never felt unsafe walking in the streets or that I needed to worry that a "criminal" would come into my home in Verdun.
I've stuck this on my door to remind myself from this day forward to lock my doors ANYTIME I'm home. Not because I'm suddenly worried of someone coming into my home to harm me. No, because I'm worried about officers of the law, bylaw officers, and this new canine patrol banging at my door at any hour of the day or night and causing one of my animals harm.
Because now, I'm the bad citizen who needs to be monitored. I'm the one who needs to carry paperwork at all times to defend myself and my dogs. I'm the one who feels anxious every single time it's time to go outside with them. I'm the citizen who's living in a state of worry, who feels unsafe, and who won't answer a knock at my door if I don't already know who's there.
And no, I'm not being dramatic, I'm not over reacting. This is 100% how BSL works, and how Coderre's team has written the new bylaws. Even without a warrant, you cannot refuse them entry into your home. For me, home is sacred. And now I've lost that feeling of security."
#endBSL #notoBill128 #Canada150 #BSLbytes
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To submit your story, please email hugabull@gmail.com or justiceforbullies@gmail.com.
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For background on the #BSLbytes campaign visit the HugABull blog:http://blog.hugabull.com/take-a-byte-out-of-bsl
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