*NEW*

ONTARIO -

To the Flyball public:

The NAFA(r) Board of Directors is very happy to announce that the Ontario government has granted an exemption for Flyball to the Breed Specific Legislation. This exemption will allow all breeds, including those currently affected by the Ontario BSL, to participate in NAFA(r) sanctioned Flyball tournaments in the province of Ontario. I would especially like to recognize the efforts of Glenn Hamilton, Kris Pickering and Rob Sparling for writing the proposal that was presented to the Ontario government. Their untiring efforts, coupled with those of many others too numerous to name, were paramount in the passage of this exemption. The NAFA (r) Board will be discussing these recent events at our meeting this weekend and will release more detailed information as it is available. Hopefully, these developments will set a precedent for any area that is considering implementing Breed Specific Legislation. Lee Heighton NAFAR, Chairman of the Board

TORONTO -

Visitors love to paws here Toronto in top 10 dog-friendly cities Pit-bull ban could jeopardize rating

Toronto always sets Tucson's tail wagging. The 2-year-old Tibetan terrier from Newcastle, Me., loves running through Toronto's leash-free parks, relaxing on café patios with water bowls and strolling into stores where owners welcome canine customers and dole out doggie treats.

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*It appears that dog tourism site DogFriendly.com is going to drop Toronto because of the pit bull ban!

ILLINOIS -

Deaf pit bull gets chance to use her acting skills locally

It is a day of running at Indian Oaks Park in Marengo – down paths, across fields; finally – thankfully – into the pseudo shade of a temporary tarp or half-baked hatchback.

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MICHIGAN -

The City of Redford Michigan repealed their ban on pit bulls a couple of months ago in favor of a NON breed specific law!

Just as a note, the city did NOT enforce this ban on pit bulls in any way. In fact I heard of several people contacting the Police Department to inquire as well as city hall and no one ever mentioned pit bulls were banned, they would say there is no bsl in the city. Just another area with BSL that proves it's ineffective. Marcy

SAN FRANCISCO Forum addresses pit bull warning signs

Pit bull supporters -- defensive after last week's fatal attack of a 12-year-old boy by his family's pit bulls -- used a city-sponsored forum in San Francisco on Wednesday night to inform the public about the facts and the myths of the canine breed. "We're hopefully alleviating some of the anxiety that people are feeling about dogs, particularly about pit bulls,'' said Donna Duford, an animal behaviorist with the San Francisco Animal Care & Control agency who says pit bulls, as a breed, shouldn't be feared.

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Dogs are as good as owners And many times, dogs are great in spite of humans, says behavioural expert Coren

I'M JUST a tad crushed as I write this. We were at the Metro SPCA's annual Dog Jog fundraiser on Sunday and I had a chance to interview psychologist and dog behaviourist Stanley Coren, the event's featured guest. (By the way, despite the weather, it was a great afternoon.) The University of British Columbia psychology professor and dog lover has written many books during his celebrated career, including How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind, Why We Love the Dogs We Do and The Intelligence of Dogs.

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Pit Bulls have found a Celebrity advocate

Last night while watching Celebrity Justice on Court TV, Linda Blair came on and had a 5 minute segment or so telling what wonderful dogs. Pit Bulls are and that Denver has it ALL WRONG!

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"Bad Dogs Are Not Born - They Are Created By Us" Animal Trainer Steve Austin on Pet Talk Radio recently...

Listen to this original story on Breed specific Legislation Then YOU decide if it doesn't concern all dog owners everywhere! (Show #126)

Go to Pet Talk Radio Website to Listen...

Legislation takes a turn (with some people)

Legislation was dealt a savage blow last week in an historic victory for American campaigners when the Supreme Court in Alabama ruled that there was no genetic evidence that one breed of dog was more dangerous than another, simply because of its breed.

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WINDSOR, ONTARIO -

DON CHERRY Gives Support to Windsor-Based Dog Rescue / Anti-BSL (Anti-Breed Specific Legislation)

A Windsor-based group called Advocates for the Underdog, received a generous donation from sports celebrity, Don Cherry and his wife Luba to help aid the group's efforts in rescuing "pit bulls" that would have otherwise been euthanized.

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