[turbodigger]

Even though pitbulls are banned here in ontario canada, will the vet still spay or nueter a pitbull puppy or will they have to put it down?

[orange]

I don't live in Ontario, but I have read about the ban, and it seems that puppies are being put to sleep there on a regular basis. Personally I wouldn't risk going to the vet. They may very well be required by law to put down your dog. I have a link about the pitbull ban that I visit regularly; the owner mentions a pit bull rescue out of Windsor. You might want to check out that link, there's a lot of information about the ban. Also the site owner might be able to advise you about your dog. Here's the address:

http://www.4leggedlove.com/againstontariopitbullban.htm

[labman]

Maybe call a vet and ask. I doubt they are required to help the authorities track you down. Call a strange vet from a pay phone.

[orange]

Good idea, labman! I also alerted a couple of our experts who I know live in Ontario to the post. So hopefully they will be able to answer too.

[CaptainForest]

Hello fellow Ontarian (turbodigger),

See this website: http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.o...itbulls-nr.asp

It's the website for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.

This article refers to the proposed bill that McGinty brought in.

Of specific interest to you is:

"Those who currently own pit bulls will be able to keep their dogs," said Bryant. " However, these dogs will have to be muzzled and on leashes while in public, and spayed or neutered. Municipalities can also add further restrictions."

Therefore, I would assume that you have a duty to have the animal spayed or neutered.

Call the vet first to make sure, but I think that they should spray or neuter the animal for you.

[turbodigger]

Thanks for the info but I didn't own the pup when the ban took affect. I found the pup in the street and she is approximately 2 months old. This obviously means that someone is illegally breeding the dogs still. So I was wondering if since the dog is so young they would know that I didn't own her before the ban was put in place so can they still spay it? But good ideas. I will be calling a vet to see what they say.

[turbodigger]

I cantacted a vetrinarian and they said that they have no reason for contacting anyone about pitbulls. They will spay or neuter anypitbull as well as any other treatment that any dog is entitled to. They said that most vets are on pitbulls side rather than the legislations. I was glad to hear that the people who know the most about animals, support pitbulls.

[labman]

Glad the vet has a helpful attitude. Very few dog lovers support breed specific legislation. We all know our breed to be next, and BSL does not stop the abuse of dogs.

Thank you for taking the puppy in. The vet may want to delay spaying until the usual 6 months. However, as you found, the best source of information on what a vet will do, is the vet himself.

Here is a starter on taking care of a puppy.

What does a puppy need?

A crate. It is only natural that a puppy resists its crate at first. What the puppy wants more than anything else is to be others, you, anyone else in the
Household, and any other pets. In our modern society, even if we are home,
Other things distract us from the attention an uncrated puppy must have. The
Only real solution is to crate the dog when you aren't around. The dog may be
Happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
Den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
Its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
Will rest in their crates even when the door is open. Skip the
Bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking
Hazards. A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of
Accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely
Spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I think the plastic
Ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put
In a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select
A crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in. At bed time, with a new puppy, I have found lying down in front of the crate like you were going to sleep and speaking softly to it, or singing, until it settles down and goes to sleep works very well. Follow the pattern, a period of active play, outside to eliminate, and then into the crate.

Chew toys. The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not
There to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a
Close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
Pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
Chewers such as Labs.

Food. Find out what the breeder is feeding. If it is dry chow you can buy readily, I would stick with it until the dog is 4 months old, at that time switching to a dry adult chow. If not, try to have the breeder give you a few days supply to use making a gradual change to a dry puppy chow.

Dishes. Empty plastic food containers are good enough. If you want something nicer, buy the spill proof? Ones. See http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...1078323611448À. I have found them at Big Lots too.

A collar and leash. You should stay with a flat fabric or leather collar until your puppy is 5 months old. Then you can go with the metal slip collar with the rings on each end. Otherwise you could damage its windpipe. Put it on like this for the usual dog on the left position. Pull the chain through the one ring forming a"P". Facing the dog, slip it over its head. The free end comes over the neck allowing the other end to release pressure when the leash is slack. A five
Month old's head will still grow some. If you buy one that easily goes over
The head, it still should come off leaving the ears when the dog finishes
Growing. I start the puppy out with a metal leash and switch to a leather one after the worst of the chewing is over and I need more control.

A name, try http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/petnames.htm#1 and http://www.cat-dog-names.com/

A brush. Start the puppy with a bristle brush. They don't shed much at first, and the bristle brush will remove dirt and help control odor. When shedding becomes a problem later, switch to a slicker brush with the wire teeth.

The number of a vet. It is very hard to evaluate them. Dogs need more medical care than in the past. Many new problems are wide spread.

A book. Any book is better than none at all. I like the Monks of New Skete and their The Art of Raising a Puppy, ISBN 0-316-57839-8.

Obedience training. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start obedience training the day you get the dog. Build on the foundation of housebreaking. The younger the puppy, the shorter you must keep sessions, only a few repetitions at a time. A few minutes here and there, and by the time the puppy is 4 months old, people will be impressed with what a nice dog it is.

An AskMe bookmark so you can come back for help as needed.

I didn't forget treats, shampoo, and bedding. I seldom use them.

[orange]

I'm so glad it all worked out. I know the vets here in my province are very good about protecting animals and owners and don't report someone if they are breaking a bylaw that is not in the best interest of the animal. I wasn't sure though about an actual ban, but I'm happy to hear that the vets are still on the animal's side!

[Melinda]

You have to have owned a pit before the ban to have one now, I am soooo against this stupid bill 132, if you keep this pup, you will have to register it, the moment you register it, they will realize it's age, and that it was born after the deadline,if you don't register it, and you are seen walking it down the street and stopped by an animal control officer, or a police officer you are condeming it to death or life in a lab. So you're between a rock and a hard place, the pup, like many others, should be sent out of province or smuggled to the states, its so hard to find somewhere for them now, we've filled all the shelters in Quebec... there is an "underground" railroad for pits, or there was... because of the influx, a lot of the borders and shelters are now closed to Ontario pits.