According to the Vancouver Times, Bentley, seemingly channeling Millan’s philosophy, stayed calm and
assertive Wednesday (November 3) as he refused to issue Millan an exemption from the
province’s 2005 ban on pit bulls. Millan’s dog Junior, a Pit Bull, is his chief exemplar of good canine behavior.
“We
have a piece of legislation and it applies to all,” Bentley said, just
hours before Millan prepared to take the stage at Scotiabank Place. “We
don’t amend it on the fly. We respect the law and we expect the law
applies equally to all.”
A spokeswoman for Millan said the
celebrity dog trainer has known since at least August that the door
would be closed on Junior. However, Millan spokesperson Christine Liber refused to say
whether Junior simply sat out the Ontario dates of Millan’s Canadian
tour, or whether he was left at home for the duration.Through Liber, Millan apparently refused an interview request and declined to issue a statement.
Millan has already spoken extensively against breed-specific bans. Millan
believes breed-specific legislation is discriminatory and misplaced, as
do many opponents of the bans. He says aggressive dogs are the result
of bad owners.
Cesar and I have spoken publicly together and privately about how ridiculous breed bans are.”They are blaming dogs and banning the dogs, when the people are the problem,” Millan has told me. “Maybe a breed ban is about making the politicians feel better.” Of course, on this topic, I agree with Millan.
It’s interesting that the Ottawa 2005 ban on Pit Bulls allows exemptions for special events such as dog shows and flyball
tournaments. Despite an apparent request from Millan, the ministry did
not grant Junior an exemption. Or maybe Millan is making more of this because he’s also promoting a book, and his appearances.
Opponents of the legislation were stymied by a July 2009
Supreme Court decision not to hear a constitutional challenge of the
law.
(Thanks to Chris Dignan Dog Saving Network for the idea for this post)
