"PIT BULL owner Mandy Holmes is proud as punch of her pooch and she wants everyone to know that he is her hero. The Cobourg woman said her 10-month-old puppy -- a chocolate-coloured American Staffordshire terrier named Chevy"
Let's see... A Staffordshire Terrier is now a PITBULL? What am I missing?
AmStaffs and pits are very closely related. One way to get around an HOA's ban on pits is to call yours an AmStaff, and get the vet to do the same.
For the record, I have nothing against any kind of dog. There are several individual dogs I don't much care for, but I can't think of a breed I dislike.
Okay, that's not true. I don't like Yorkies. Little shaking, hairy, smelly, yappy things . . . they're more a poorly designed stuffed animal than a dog.
(donning asbestos leathers)
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a happy, outgoing, stable, and confident dog. Gentle and loving towards people. Good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet. It is good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, this dog wants nothing more then to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very full of life. Over the past 50 years, careful breeding has produced this friendly, trustworthy, dog who is an especially good dog for children. Courageous and a persistent fighter if provoked. Highly protective of his owners and the owner's property, it will fight an enemy to the death if the enemy traps the dog in a corner and threatens its loved ones. This breed has a very high tolerance for pain. Some un-socialized Staffs may be dog aggressive. Socialize very thoroughly when young to curve any dog aggressive tendencies. This breed can be difficult to housebreak. It has given outstanding results as a guardian of property, but is at the same time esteemed as a companion dog. When properly trained and socialized, the Staff makes a great family companion. This breed is not for the passive owner who does not understand that all dogs have an instinct to have a pack order. Read Top Dog
Looks to me like they bear little/no temperament commonality to the Pit Bull. "Good with children"? "Great family companion"?
Under Bill 132 which is up for third reading tomorrow and likely will be passed...
INTERPRETATION
(2) Section 1 of the Act is amended by adding thefollowing definitions:
“pit bull” includes,
(a) a pit bull terrier,
(b) a Staffordshire bull terrier,
(c) an American Staffordshire terrier,
(d) an American pit bull terrier,
(e) a member of a class of dogs that have an appear-ance and physical characteristics that are substan-tially similar to dogs referred to in any of clauses(a) to (d); (“pit-bull”)
You are missing that Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers are cousins. Same ancestors and can still attack if they see fit.