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Ask The Denver Post to Apologize for Discrimination Against Pit Bull Service Dogs
  1. Signatures
    1,013 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Editor (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Editor (Gregory Moore)
      • Letters to the Editor
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

 

In July 2010, the Department of Justice issued a landmark ruling that says local governments can't discriminate against service dogs based on breed. When a city like Denver discriminates against a service dog because of its breed, that is a violation of the equal access mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The government also pointed out that several of the breeds targeted by breed specific legislation have proven themselves to be successful service dogs.

The Denver Post disagrees. In an editorial published on September 8th, they made the paper's position clear: They think Denver should be allowed to set its own rules and continue to enforce its breed ban, even against service dogs.

Thousands of dogs have been killed by Denver's breed ban. There is no evidence that breed bans are effective, yet there's plenty of research that shows they don't work, they can't be accurately enforced and they're a waste of taxpayer dollars.

The Denver Post shouldn't be using column space to promote irrational fear, misinformation and discrimination against any dog, especially not devoted service animals who provide their human companions with independence.

Photo: Veteran Glenn Belcher and his service dog Sky, courtesy of The Animal Law Center

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Editorial on Service Dogs and Local Breed Bans

Dear Editor,

I recently learned, via Change.org, of your editorial "Dog bans should be a local matter," published on September 8, 2010.

The Denver Post's request that the federal government reconsider the recent ADA ruling against breed specific legislation as it applies to service dogs is highly discriminatory and based on misinformation.
As we have seen in Denver and around the world, breed bans are expensive to enforce and they have not been proven to reduce dog bites. More than 20 breeds are often mistaken for pit bulls, even by experts, and those mistakes have happened numerous times in Denver.

The editorial claimed pit bulls have been bred for ferocity, which is simply not true. Pit bulls were bred for stamina, tenacity, tolerance and loyalty. These traits not only make them excellent family dogs (even in the days when they were heavily exploited for bloodsports), but they are also desirable traits for service dogs.

You ask "if a parent is concerned that a neighbor with a pit bull is creating a danger to children," how will police respond? Police should be able to deal with a dog of any breed who is a proven danger to children. But simply being a pit bull is not reason enough to worry; the American Temperament Testing Society has shown year after year that the "pit bull" breeds score as well, if not better, than dogs like Golden Retrievers.

Advocates against breed bans have long argued that dogs should be judged based on their behavior, not the way they look. If there is any dog who has proven his good behavior, it is a certified service dog. Your attack on pit bulls is an attack on all dogs, and your attack on pit bull service dogs is a shameful attack on people with disabilities.

I urge you to issue an apology for this misleading and misinformed editorial. By opposing the federal ruling in favor of local laws pertaining to service animals, you are effectively advocating for Denver to close its doors to people with disabilities. Not liking the way a service dog looks is not a good enough reason to deny equal access.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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