Curveball: Ontario’s pit bull ban forces Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to leave family behind
Mark Buehrle, the Miami Marlins pitcher traded to the Toronto Blue Jays last November, will be leaving his dogs and family behind when the season opens, due to Ontario’s ban on pit bulls.
One of the Buehrle family’s four dogs, Slater, falls under the government’s pit bull ban, so Buehrle’s wife Jamie, their children and their dogs will remain in Florida until the end of the school year, then return to their off-season home in the St. Louis area.
The Toronto Star reports it will be the first time in his career that Buehrle has spent the summer away from his wife and children.
It’s not the first time, though, that the family has been inconvenienced because of their love for pit bulls in general, and Slater in particular.
When Buehrle was traded to the Marlins, from the White Sox, his family couldn’t live in the Miami-Dade area, because of a similar ban, and located in Broward County instead.
“Other families have gone through things and they’ve made it work. And I will see my dogs when I can,” Buehrle said of the Toronto situation during spring training last week.”
Buehrle, who also has three Vizslas, said he didn’t even consider the suggestion that he try and sneak his pit bull mix into Toronto, or that he put Slater in a kennel in order to have his family by his side in Toronto.
“Being a responsible pet owner, you can’t drop off the dog on someone else,” he said. “If you try and bring the dog anyways and think you can (hide it), you’re taking a chance, and then (if you get caught) the dog sits in a cage for a month or more or however long until the court date comes up.”
Both Buehrle and his wife have worked extensively to raise public awareness about pit bulls.
“The big thing is to bring awareness of the breed, that’s what this is all about,” he said. “I won’t see my dog for a while but bringing awareness for the breed ban is important for me.”
Posted by jwoestendiek February 19th, 2013 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, baseball, behind, breed bans, buehrle, dogs, family, major league baseball, mark buehrle, miami marlins, ontario, pets, pit bull bans, pit bulls, pitbull bans, pitbulls, pitcher, slater, stay, toronto blue jays
Comments
Comment from Lisa Banner O’Connor
Time June 18, 2013 at 6:01 am
My husband bought an American Staffordshire Terrier on the movie set of Glory. I had no idea what that breed was. When I met him he was being nursed by a Bishon and I couldn’t Imagine how he was going to grow up to look like that. His mother had been killed after the litter arrived. I had told him do NOT bring a dog home. When I saw him I fell in love. He was a Champion dog with the name Stormdancer something. We named him Spanky of course…after the bar in Tybee Island next to the hotel. He was a chewer (couch, window jams and other things that i couldn’t even identify. Never got hurt though. He was so strong but we trained him well (my husband did actually). That dog loved me and followed me everywhere. He was like a person. My ex-husband traveled for long periods of time and when he came home after working for 8 weeks. Spanky was none too happy. He would come around though. Long story I know but I love that breed. I had a miniature dachsund that was way more viscious. Good for Mr. Buherle and family. They deserve a great owner.
Comment from Vickie Kemper
Time February 20, 2013 at 10:52 am
Wow!!! I read your story and was very moved by it – too bad all people aren’t as loving to their animals. I know many pit bulls and they are wonderful dogs.