"BSL" is a law that prohibits certain breeds or types of dog. BSL can take place in cities, regions, and countries. This law can prohibit one from owning/keeping, breeding, importing, selling/transferring ownership of a dog of a given breed. Some regions place only restrictions or conditions on a given breed (sterilization, muzzling in public, displaying warning signs at home, and more), while most regions outright ban any ownership or action involved with the breed or "breed type."

The reason for breed-specific legislation is based on the inaccurate belief that certain breed types are naturally prone to injurious behavior toward humans and that heavily restricting or banning the breed or breed type will prevent dog bites or maulings.

In Canada, BSL is active in multiple locations:

Canadian Province of Ontario
Law states, "No person shall own, breed, transfer, abandon, or import a pit bull, nor allow one to stray nor train a pit bull for fighting."
Summary of Dog Owners' Liability Act, Pit Bull Controls: Owner of a restricted pit bull [includes all Amstaffs] shall ensure that the pit bull is at all times equipped with a muzzle and secured by a leash which is not more than 1.8 meters (unless dog is on private property of consenting party); pit bulls must be spayed/neutered before age of 36 weeks unless it is deemed unfit for anesthesia by a veterinarian, which shall be later reviewed; the breeding of pit bulls is prohibited.

Winnipeg, Manitoba
The City of Winnipeg's Responsible Pet Ownership By-Law states, "No person may bring into the City of Winnipeg or, being its owner, allow to be in the City of Winnipeg, a dog which has the appearance and physical characteristics predominantly conforming to the standards of the Canadian Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club for any of the following breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier."

British Columbia: Multiple areas
Alberta: Multiple areas
Saskatchewan: Multiple areas
Manitoba: Multiple areas
Ontario: Province-wide ban
Quebec: Multiple areas
New Brunsick: Multiple areas
Northwest Territories: No BSL
Nova Scotia: Multiple regions
Prince Edward Island: Multiple areas
Newfoundland and Labrador: No BSL
Yukon: No BSL

Justice for Bullies

The ASTCC strongly supports the efforts of Justice for Bullies, advocating for breed-neutral legislation and responsible dog ownership.

Visit Justice for Bullies' Website