Ontario and the American Bully

On today's episode of "Messages of Misconception" we will briefly chat about the fact that Ontario, Canada still has a "pit bull" ban.

The "pit bull" ban took effect on August 29, 2005 and despite multiple attempts to fight for a repeal the has been in place since this date. Ontario still bans the following:

(a) a pit bull terrier,

(b) a Staffordshire bull terrier,

(c) an American Staffordshire terrier,

(d) an American Pit Bull Terrier,

(e) a dog that has an appearance and physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs referred to in any of clauses (a) to (d); (“pit-bull”)

*** ***This is where things are starting to get really complicated in the province of Ontario. In the eyes of many, the American Bully is a breed that is substantially similar to the above mentioned banned breeds. The American Bully is a relatively new breed that was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2013, long after Ontario's "pit bull" ban. Despite being a different breed with a different group category within the kennel clubs (American Bullies are companion class, whereas the above mentioned breeds are all Terrier class) we are seeing more and more cases come forward where jurisdictions inside of Ontario are classing them as "substantially similar".

American Bullies have become a very grey area in the province of Ontario. We have been made aware of several cases of American Bullies who have the appropriate Kennel club papers being seized. In these cases we have seen them go in two directions, someone challenges the substantially similar characteristics with pedigree and legal representation and wins, or lawyers representing areas of Ontario suggest they do indeed fall under substantially similar characteristics and the dogs are sadly not returned to their owners.

You can learn more about the current bill to repeal the ban at www.endtheban.ca.

If you lived in Ontario during the time of the ban your dog was grandfathered in as long as you could comply with the requirements set out by the regulations. In order for a "pit bull" to legal in Ontario is must been owned by an Ontario resident on August 29, 2005, or Born in Ontario within 90 days after August 29, 2005. This would mean that most legal dogs would be almost 16 years of age. Sadly the faces of legal "pit bull" type dogs are a very rare sight.

In short: Ontario still sadly has a ban and if caught with an illegal dog in many areas of the province your dog will either be seized and placed out of province, seized and killed, or seized and sent to a testing facility.

Despite American Bullies being a separate breed not noted in the DOLA act, they are not safe. You are taking a risk that could end up in heartache and financial burdens.

https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.php