Meet: Gracie an Ontarian Outlaw

In 2005 the Ontario legislature passed Bill 132 effectively banning Pit Bull breeds from the province.

Essentially, Bill132 was enacted in the hopes of permanently eliminating Pit Bull breeds from all of Ontario. And if it goes unchallenged, that could be a likely result. Pit Bulls are no longer allowed to be breed or imported. Any Pit Bulls that were not registered before Bill 132 was enacted are subject to seizure and destruction. Anything resembling a Pit Bull in shelters is immediately killed.

Bill 132 was heavily pushed by Attorney General Michael Bryant who capitalized on a high profile dog attack to create a frenzied hysteria around Pit Bulls. Calling all Pit Bulls "four-legged assault weapons" Bryant moved the focus of dog attacks from irresponsible and dangerous owners to a specific breed.

Bill 132 was passed out of ignorance and fear. And its results are deadly. Gracie was just barely rescued from an Animal Control facility where she was scheduled to be killed because she was an unregistered, and thus illegal, Pit Bull.

Bill 132 will be a failure because it is an attempt to protect the public from dangerous dogs that doesn't even take into consideration the temperament, history or disposition of an individual dog. Rather it judges a dog singularly on its physical features, on its physical Pit Bull-ness.

And Gracie looks very much like a Pit Bull because she is, in fact, a Pit Bull. But, she isn't what the Attorney General or the Ontario legislature would lead you to believe. She isn't vicious, unpredictable, or dangerous.

Rather, like every other Pit Bull I've fostered, she is incredibly loving and affectionate. She is all smiles and butt wiggles. She loves to rest her head on your lap and stare up at you. She's well mannered in the house, hasn't destroyed a thing, likes to chill in her crate and is so smart with her new obedience lessons!

She lives peacefully with Angelina and Viper. Though she is scared of Viper and Angie seems to think we brought Gracie home to be her new play toy! They love to run, romp and wrestle with each other at the park. And Angie has already taught Gracie her super stealth sneak-up-on-the-bed-while-they're-sleeping moves, so there is even less room on the bed when I wake up in the mornings.

Gracie has a very calm presence, but she has a sadness to her as well. She doesn't understand toys or playing. She's head shy and cowers when you raise your hand to pet her. She's scared of loud voices. But, we're glad she's here with us where we can shower her in toys, bones and treats, desensitize her to touch and provide a stable and secure home for her.

Gracie is looking for her loving forever home. Check out her Petfinder profile and contact Sophie if you're interested in showing Gracie the good life outside of Ontario!