Ontario’s five-year-old ban on pit bulls hasn’t reduced the sheer numbers of dog cut bites while in the province by much, says a survey with the Toronto Humane Society, which urges government entities to examine legislation.

On Wednesday, the society released statistics on dog bites reported through the province’s local health integration networks and medical officers of health between 1999 and 2009.

There have been 5,714 incidents in 2004, the year before the Liberal government rolled out breed-specific legislation to ban the sale and importation of pit bulls. Owners were required to manage to get their pit bulls spayed or neutered, and must muzzle and leash them in public areas.

Regardless of the law, the Humane Society found how many dog cut bites dropped slightly to between 5,350 and 5,500 in the past 4 years.

“It is obvious that the new law has never worked. It’s got not reduced how many dog bites and increased public safety. All it will is punishing one breed of dogs,” said society spokesman Ian McConachie.

Dogs will not be born violent but are made because of this by irresponsible owners who train the crooks to be aggressive or develop other behavioral problems, he added.

Regulations also targets any dog cut bites, attacks or is a menace to public safety. Owners face fines up to $10,000 and/or a jail term all the way to half a year.

In a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty Wednesday, the Humane Society asks the province to “take an extra see this act to make appropriate amendments to remove the breed specific provision” – a position the group has held considering that the law’s introduction.

“We need to educate owners regarding their breed and ways to modify their behavioral issues through training,” said McConachie, adding that local municipalities might also introduce a knowledge and aptitude test for owners before issuing pet licenses.

Brendan Crawley, a spokesman with the attorney general’s ministry, said the legislation ensures you can find fewer opportunities for vicious attacks with a pit bull. “As time continues, we’ll be able to see the full effects with the legislative amendments and municipal enforcement efforts,” he stated.