TORONTO, March 2 (UPI) -- Ontario has become the first province or state in North America to ban pit bull terriers or mixed breeds, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp reports.
The bill was sponsored by Attorney General Michael Bryant following a series of highly publicized attacks on humans and other animals, and is slated to go into effect by late summer or early fall.
"Mark my words, Ontario will be safer," Bryant said.
The legislation prevents people from acquiring a number of breeds of dogs classified as pit bulls and requires those who already own the dogs to neuter and muzzle their animals.
Various Canadian communities already have bans, with Winnipeg proclaiming itself free of the breed last year after a 14-year ban.
Similar measures are already in place in Britain, France and Germany.
Sheila McDonald, director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, opposed the ban, saying Canada doesn't have convincing data to determine pit bulls are the most troublesome breed of dog.
