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Tag Archives: pit bull

Breed Specific Discrimination: Did you write your letter yet?

07 Feb

Did you write your letter yet?

http://stopbsl.org/category/state-specific/maryland/

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Here’s the response I got:

Thank you for your letter, this does concern me. My family includes a very sweet American Staffordshire Terrier (some call him a pit bull) named Winston. Like you, I have worked very hard to ensure the safety of people and animals/pets. The pet and dog owners should be responsible for their pet not others like landlords. My goal is safety first and foremost.

You have my firm commitment that I will continue to work to protect animals and people from irresponsible pet owners and ineffective legislation.

Warm regards,
Herb
Delegate Herb McMillan
District 30
164 House Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 841-3211

—–Original Message—–
To: McMillan, Herb Delegate
Subject: Support SB 247/HB 73: Compromise legislation for Maryland dogs and families

Feb 6, 2014

Delegate Herbert McMillan
Lowe House Office Building, Room 217
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1912

Dear Delegate McMillan,

Last year, I was disappointed that the General Assembly failed to come to an agreement to address the unintended consequences of the Court of Appeals ruling that “pit bulls” are “inherently dangerous.” This year, as your constituent, I urge you to support compromise legislation (SB 247/HB 73) that has been carefully crafted by leaders in the House and Senate.

SB 247/HB 73 will remove the breed specific standard imposed by the Court of Appeals, remove the strict liability imposed on landlords and other third parties, and will instead raise the bar for ALL dog owners, regardless of the breed of their dog. This is a fair compromise for both dog owners and victims.

This ruling has forced law-abiding dog owners to choose between their dogs and their homes, and it cannot be allowed to stand for another year. I implore you to support SB 247/HB 73 to provide some relief for the thousands of Marylanders impacted by this decision. Please support this legislation WITH NO AMENDMENTS.

Sincerely,

Ms. Lorian Lipton

 
4 Comments

Posted by on February 7, 2014 in Dogs

 

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DogDaz Zoo Against Breed Specific Discrimination

04 Feb

sarah and griffin

That’s my cousin Sarah and her pit-mix, Griffin.  Help stop breed specific discrimination.  Call your representative today!!!!

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Some people have asked if Louise is a pit-mix… you never know, she could be.

 
Comments Off on DogDaz Zoo Against Breed Specific Discrimination

Posted by on February 4, 2014 in Dogs

 

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2.26.13 Don’t Allow Breed Discrimination

26 Feb

There has been a great deal of discussion lately about breed discrimination.  In Maryland, where I live, there is deep discrimination against pit bulls and mixes that look like pit bulls.  Last year, the Court of Appeals (that is our highest state court), passed a ruling that said that all Pit Bull dogs are ‘inherently dangerous.’ On top of that they said that Landlords would be held responsible if anyone who they rent to has a Pit Bull dog and it bites someone.  This is out and out breed discrimination. 

The ruling stemmed from a dog bite inflicted on a child by a dog who lived his life on a chain and was not adequately socialized.  How sad for all involved.  A 10 year old child and his family were traumatized, which is terrible.  But the family did not just sue the owner, they also sued the Landlord (a 92 year old woman who happened to die before the case was finished).  The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the boy’s family and against the Landlord, saying that the Landlord was responsible because she should have known that there was a pit bull on her property, and that all pit bulls are inherently dangerous.  I am sorry but all dogs, especially if they are tied up have the potential to bite.   

kissing pitsYou may wonder what all this means, so let me try to explain.  Let’s say I had three dogs: Louise (hound/lab), Sofie (sheltie/corgie), and Sweet Pea (a Pit Bull).  If someone broke in to my house and Louise attached them, the person that broke in would be at fault for being on my property.  But, if Sweet Pea bit them, I would be at fault for owning a Pit Bull.  Not only would I be at fault but if I was a renter, my Landlord could be sued because I have a Pit Bull.  

Shelters are filling up with any dog that even looks like a Pit and they are having a really hard time getting them adopted out.  Insurance companies are refusing to insure people with Pit Bull dogs.   Last week, Maryland Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery County) pushed a bill that would counteract the anti-pit bull court ruling, the Capital Gazette reports. The House unanimously approved the bill so it heads to the Senate next.

I do hope that breed discrimination in Maryland does not become the law of the land.  What would you do if all of a sudden your dog was deemed ‘inherently dangerous,’ and your Landlord said the dog had to go?  

Sometimes people ask me if Louise is a Pit Bull – I don’t know what I would do if someone tried to take her away (I think I might bite them (I believe humans are inherently dangerous)).      

 Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤

 
26 Comments

Posted by on February 26, 2013 in Dogs

 

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I will be a dream come true…

14 Jun

Reblogged from For the Love of the Dog Facebook page.

 
19 Comments

Posted by on June 14, 2012 in Dogs

 

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Loved for who I am. Hated for what I am not.

08 Feb

Reblogged from http://rachelpawluk.wordpress.com/

 
4 Comments

Posted by on February 8, 2012 in Animals, Dogs

 

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