Service dog taken from Bruce County, Ont. family
Two families are fighting for the permanent return of their dogs - one of them a service animal - seized by the municipality because they resemble pit bulls.
Lulu is home, for now, after being taken by Arran-Elderslie’s Animal Control officer in early August. The Quarry family's other dog, Blue, a PTSD service dog for Ralph Quarry is also back home, but they are not sure for how long.
“Blue has never, ever, ever hurt anybody. He’s never bit or gone after anybody. He went after a cat. That’s what this all stems from, a cat. All dogs go after cats,” says Ralph.
Deanna Irvin-Wheeler lost her dogs, Dexter and Nove, to the same animal control officer in March, after they got loose from her property in nearby West Grey.
Their resemblance to a pit bull, although they are both American Bullies, is the reason they were taken.
“I was never charged, and they shipped them to Quebec,” she says.
Dexter and Nova, two American Bullies, are seen in this undated photo. (Source: Deanna Irvin-Wheeler)
The Quarry and Wheeler families are pushing to try and repeal parts of Ontario’s Dog Owners and Liability Act, also know as Ontario’s pit bull ban law, put in place in 2005.
Specifically, the parts that focus on breeds deemed similar in looks to pit bulls, like Lulu, an American Bully.
“Innocent sweet, lovable, well-adjusted family pets with responsible, loving owners, are getting caught under this, and not actual criminals,” says Robyn Minifie, a local animal advocate.
For their part, the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie provided this statement from Arran-Elderslie CAO Sylvia Kirkwood about the Quarrys' dogs being taken.
“The Quarry matter is still in litigation. We cannot provide any commentary on this matter as it still remains before the courts. Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control Services continue to be provided in Arran-Elderslie in accordance with our Bylaws on a complaint basis.”
Ralph has been charged with owning a dangerous dog.
“He’s my rock when I need a rock. When my wife’s not home, he’s there to comfort me, to love me,” he says.
Irvin-Wheeler is working her way through the courts to try and get her dogs returned as well.
Until then, the focus is on trying to change the legislation that allows dogs like these, even service animals, to be taken from their homes.
“In other townships and municipalities, they’re heroes, these service dogs. But here, for some reason, under one animal control officer, they’re villains,” says Minifie.
Correction
An earlier version of this story stated that Ralph's PTSD service dog was still in custody.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.