Blue Jays’ Mark Buehrle makes family sacrifice for Ontario pit bull ban
Wife, kids and dogs will stay Stateside.
Toronto has often been derided as a second-class destination for many American-born pro athletes who aren’t particularly enamoured with the oh-so-foreign customs of adding “u” to certain words or swapping our Rs and Es on other words. Sometimes it’s theeducation system. Other times it’s been the cable TV offerings. Most often it’s the taxes. (Of course, there are SOME things they like…)
But the new Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle’s issue has been about dogs. Specifically, Ontario’s ban on owning or breeding pit bulls. Dog rescue has been a big part of the Buehrle family and they own a pit bull named Slater. The Buerhle’s are so committed to their four-legged friend that the pitcher will be living in Toronto alone this season, while his wife and two young kids will live in the St. Louis area with their four dogs (the other three are Vizslas).
It’s a strong stand and Buehrle is under no illusion, telling TSN during spring trainingthat living apart from the family would “suck.” He told the Globe and Mail recently, “It’s going to be different but it’s something we have to do. We had to sacrifice something to keep our family together.”
Ontario’s pit bull ban is the only one of its kind in North America and it’s safe to say Buehrle just became a pretty high profile spokesperson for those looking to have it rescinded. “There are pit bulls that are bad, but there are German Shepherds and Labs and Chihuahuas that are bad too,” he told the Globe. “If people don’t raise their dogs the right way, they are going to be aggressive and mean.”
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