Newsletter
December 2019
Dear animal lover,
Here's our December newsletter, highlighting the latest news on animal rescues and animal welfare across Quebec and Ontario (click the bolded words to read the full stories). If you have any news or upcoming events you'd like us to share next month, send us an email at admin@guardiansbest.com.
Thank you,
Melanie Dziengo
Article of the Month
Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash
Ontario MPP wants pit bull ban reversed
By: Melanie Dziengo
An Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament wants to see the pit bull ban, — a provision within the law called the Dog Owners’ Liability Act — reversed. The Progressive Conservative MPP, Rick Nicholls, put a private member’s bill forward last month, and according to CTV News Barrie, it passed second reading in the legislature, 36 to 12. Nicholls believes dog owners are the problem when it comes to vicious dogs, and not specific breeds, saying “It’s not pit bulls, it’s dogs, it’s the owners, and how the dogs are treated.”
The pit bull ban has been in place since 2005, after two pit bulls attacked a man in Toronto; and, it has been opposed by many, including the Toronto Humane Society. When initially introduced, the ban grandfathered in pit bulls and other breeds such as Staffordshire Terriers and American Staffordshire bull terriers, but they had to spayed or neutered, and muzzled and leashed while in public. But, it is unknown if the law has had a positive or negative effect on these breeds of dogs attacking people or other animals. This is because, according to The Canadian Press, the province doesn’t collect data, and does not regulate how, or whether, municipalities collect and store the information.
The bill was referred to Standing Committee on November 21.
News
A rescue pup is making his big film debut in the Christmas movie Merry & Bright. The movie, which stars Wilson, was filmed in Winnipeg.
The Court of Appeal for Ontario has confirmed the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA)’s policing powers, striking down the lower court’s ruling. The Court of Appeal struck down several rulings, including saying it is not constitutionally mandated to make law enforcement agencies transparent and accountable.
Montreal’s former Royal Victoria Hospital will, once again, become a pet-friendly shelter for those who are homeless. It will open on December 2, and there will be over 100 beds available.
A cat named Smudge, from the Ottawa area, became a meme (you’ve probably seen it!), and has amassed 1.1 million followers on Instagram.
At Otis and Clementine’s Books & Coffee, you can be greeted by six cats and their mother. The owner of the store, Ellen Helmke, is fostering the cats, and will foster more (indefinitely) after the current cats go to their new homes.
East end Toronto residents should be aware of their dog’s whereabouts after a dog in East York was attacked and killed by two coyotes.
An Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP introduced a private member’s bill to reverse the ban on pit bills.
A rescue in Chatham-Kent, called Pet and Wildlife Rescue, is taking care of a stray dog who was found cuddling kittens in the cold. The animals were found by someone passing by, and brought to the shelter. The shelter is looking for the animals’ owners, and if none can be found, the animals will be put up for adoption.
At the end of the year, calaches and horse carriages will be banned in the City of Montreal. Without an after-care plan in place, (aside from the city buying the horses for $1,000), owners are selling the animals online, risking them being sold into forced labour or for slaughter. If you are able, please sign this petition, and put the horses into shelters.
\Toronto Police Service is asking for the community’s help in searching for a dog after a woman was seen allegedly taking a dog after its owner experienced a medical emergency on October 27 at Kipling Station. If you can help, please let 11 or 22 Division know.
A dog rescuer for Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, went to Aruba to rescue dogs. But, Kristin Markoff alleges that she experienced multiple cavity searches at Toronto Pearson International Airport because Canada Border Services Agency officers believed she was a drug mule. The search went on for 26 hours, and she was held at the airport, but never charged.
A man in Germany died due to a rare infection that was traced back to being licked by his dog. He went to the hospital, and reported flu-like symptoms. The disease the man contracted is found most commonly in cats and dogs, and is rarely transmitted to humans.
A pit bull in Wisconsin is being called a hero after alerting her owner’s neighbours to danger the owner was in. Bella’s owner fell in her walkway, and the dog barked and pawed at the neighbours’ back door and window. The neighbour shared the story on social media, and the Internet has fallen in love with the dog.
The United States made some animal cruelty a federal crime last month. The offences can now be punishable with up to seven years in jail.
Events of the Month
Mississauga, ON - December 1, 2019 - Fetch & Releash and Doggie Central are hosting their Home for the Holidays Adoption Event. There, you can meet adoptable dogs, chat with the foster parents, and shop for various goodies.
Toronto, ON - December 3, 2019 - Helpaws is hosting a holiday social. There will be food, drinks, a raffle, Santa pictures, and more.
Toronto, ON - December 6, 2019 - Redemption Paws is hosting their holiday party. It’s a fundraiser for the dogs and puppies in their care. There will be holiday themed pet portraits, cookies for both humans and dogs, and a puppy play room.
Ottawa, ON - December 7, 2019 - Freedom Dog Rescue and Luna Mango Studio are hosting the Howl-iday Photos event. There, you can get your pet’s holiday photo taken.
Pointe-Claire, Que. - December 7, 2019 - Love, Montreal Jewelery is hosting the Artisans for Animal Craft Fair at St. John Fisher Parish. There will be over 30 juried artisans with their homemade goods, and a raffle. All proceeds will go to Animatch.
Tecumseh, ON - December 8, 2019 - Second Chance Animal Rescue - Windsor and Essex County is hosting an adoption event at Bark & Fitz Essex County.
Newmarket, ON - December 14, 2019 - Alex and Ani and the OSPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre are hosting their Charmed by Charity Event. There, you can enjoy light refreshments, and 15 per cent of sales will go back to the OSPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre.
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. - December 21, 2019 - Animatch is hosting the Curl Up with Pups fundraiser at Glenmore Curling Club. There will be free curling lessons, a mini tournament, and dogs in attendance. All the proceeds will go to Animatch.
Pets of the Month
