Hero dog condemned to death by Ontario breed laws

As with all of the stories on The Poodle (and dog) blog this story has a happy ending.

Well, maybe not so happy for the province of Ontario where dogs are killed just for looking like Pit Bulls. Ontario lost a heroic dog.

And not so happy for Kalena Mallon who probably will never again see the dog that saved her life.

Kalena, who suffers from a rare heart condition, passed out on a busy roadway near her home at around 11 o’clock at night. Although no humans stopped to help, out of nowhere a little dog rushed to her side and barked at cars threatening to hit her.

Alerted by car horns and a barking dog, Mallon’s husband found his wife and carried her home, followed by her guardian angel dog. The medication worked quickly and she recovered.

Snuggling with Kalena on the couch, the young dog met their other two dogs and cat, even suffering an unfriendly swipe by the cat.

When they were unable to locate the owners in the neighborhood, they called the Brandford SPCA which referred them to the local police since it was after hours. The officer was greeted with wiggles and a wagging tail as the two went off together.

Two days later Kalena called the SPCA to find out if the dog had been claimed and learned that...

Oh, oops, this dog has no owner. She was obviously dumped. Ontario lawmakers in their infinite wisdom are protecting the fragile citizenry from any dog that resembles a Pit Bull. In Ontario this sweet brave dog is one of those vicious human-flesh-devouring killing-machines.

By a law passed in 2005, owning a dog with even the appearance of a Pit Bull can result in a $10,000 fine and or 6 months in jail and the dog is to be destroyed. The only hope for the 10-month-old dog was to be adopted out of the area, not by the woman who so desperately wanted to keep the dog she named Faith.

Kalena turned to Facebook with her story. As you might imagine, when word got out many people offered to drive to Ontario and take the young dog to the life she deserves.

The Brantford SPCA has been the subject of hate emails, phone calls, and bad press. However they have to follow the law, no matter how cruel and unfathomably stupid it is. From Canada Let's Adopt:

Brantford SPCA has not killed a healthy dog in more than five years! The management and staff at this SPCA go above and beyond to place the animals in their care, sometimes personally driving them to new homes. When it comes to finding homes, they know no boundaries. One dog was transported with a trucker to a new home in Las Vegas!

These folks “get it!” These folks are knowledgeable and compassionate about the animals in their care.

They have fielded offers for Faith from all over North America. They have carefully weighed their choices, checked references and made their decision. Faith will be heading out west to start a new life as a free dog; no BSL hanging over her head.

Way to go, Ontario legislators. How’s that law working out for you? Not well, we hear.

Morons.

More on BSL

Comments

[Sherry in MT]

You pretty much summed it up in one work - MORONS! :) Thank doG there are animal loving people in the Brantford SPCA that "get it"!

[jansfunnyfarm]

We're so glad this dog will not die in the shelter because of BSL.

[Jeff]

BSL has proven to be nothing but a cruel hoax, even in ontario. Can't they elect people with a brain?

[cube]

A dear friend of our family who loves dogs will have nothing to do with my dog niece, Pumpkin, who is a pit bull. She just doesn't like pit bulls and will not even try.

I blame the thugs that have created the evil reputation around these poor animals.

[Ergonomic Chair]

We should learn from experience that it is not right to judge anyone simply by its appearance and in this case, a heroic dog had to face its ill-fate.

[jackie]

pittybull dogs are the best dogs in the world..some just happen to be owned by assholes who teach them bad habits.

[Hudson & MJ]

When will we get it that every generation has a dog they deem "BAD" and are so threatened by this dog they never get past their ignorance. Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to own a pitbull will tell you they are the most loving, gentle dog you will ever own. Its bad owners not dogs that we need to look at.....

[DogMan]

BSL just doesn't work.