Well, it'd already been a fantatic week for BSL in the US with the news of Ohio repealing its state-wide breed-specific law (BSL).
The news continued to get better later in the week..
On Thursday, Ontario Bill 16 passed its second reading in the Ontario Legislature by a vote of 51-26. There is still a lot of work to do on this bill, but the next steps are for it to get a public hearing in committee (in 2005, when the BSL was passed, public commentary was overwhelmingly opposed to the breed-specific language). The committee will then debate the bill, and it would then move forward to a 3rd and final reading in the legislature. This bill has support from all three political parties in the legislature --- and continues to have strong (67%) support of the entire legislature -- so this is a great step in the right direction. More info (and images from the day) here.
Meanwhile, in Florida, HB 997, a bill that would remove Miami-Dade's beed ban, passed it's 3rd committe UNANIMOUSLY by a vote of 17-0 (4 missed). The bill has now passed through three house committees with overwhelming support -- 13-1 in Community and Military Affairs and 14-0 in Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The companion bill in the Senate, SB 1322, has passed it's two committees as well: Government Oversight and Accountability committee 9-2 and Coummunity Affairs Committee 7-0. SB 1322 will be heard in the Budget Subcommittee on Tuesday, 2/28. After that, both bills would be voted on by the entire House and Senate. Still, a ways to go, but there has been a LOT of support for these bills thus far.
Both of these are really fantastic news for the two major BSL repeal initiatives as momentum continues in repealing unjust breed-specific laws across the continent. I'll continue to keep people posted as these bills (and others) move forward.
This has been a great year for "pit bull" dogs and the people who love them. Thank you for the post.
Posted by: Tonya | February 25, 2012 at 09:59 AM
Thanks For supporting those of us in Ontario fighting this ban, yesterday, with the passing of second reading of "Hershey's Bill (bill 16) which would repeal breed specific portions of our Dog Owners Liability Act was a fantastic day for us.. but we still have much work to do!
We really appreciate you spreading the word,
Thanks Again!!!!
Posted by: Debbie Black | February 25, 2012 at 05:07 PM
A great year not only for Pit Bulls but for all breeds considered bully - GSD, Bulldog, Dobermann, etc. Let's keep the pressure on! YESH!
Posted by: Roberta Beach | February 25, 2012 at 05:59 PM
Thanks for the updates, Brent.
Posted by: Steve Barker | February 25, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Debbie -- keep up the good work up there. I LOVE spreading good news.
Posted by: Brent | February 26, 2012 at 08:44 AM