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Tell Humane Society of Huron Valley: Breed Specific Legislation is Never Okay
  1. Signatures
    848 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. Executive Director, Humane Society of Huron Valley (+ 13 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Executive Director, Humane Society of Huron Valley (Tanya Hilgendorf)
      • Treasurer, HSHV Board of Directors (Del Dunbar)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Larry Jonas)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Jane Lumm)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Peter Fink)
      • Vice President, HSHV Board of Directors (Mark Heusel)
      • Secretary, HSHV Board of Directors (Diana Kern)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Susan Kornfield)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Tom Piotrowski)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Kathy Power)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Anne Staebler)
      • President, HSHV Board of Directors (Mike Walsh)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Sharon Rothwell)
      • HSHV Board of Directors (Dennis Wojcik)
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

The Humane Society of Huron Valley is pushing for breed specific legislation in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. They say they "love pit bulls," but at the same time, they're supporting a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance that would apply only to pit bull type dogs.

HSHV has stated that "'Breed-Specific' Is Sometimes Okay," claiming that because there are rescue groups, adoption programs and other services focused on helping pit bulls, it is no different to legislate against the dogs. They fail to see that breed specific legislation is discriminating against a group of dogs based solely on appearance.

Like other forms of breed specific legislation, mandatory spay/neuter fails to address the real problems in the community; instead responsible owners, particularly low-income populations, are targeted, while people who were already breaking the law and illegally breeding continue to do so. Other cities that have passed breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter have seen their pit bull intakes and euthanasia increase instead of decrease.

Every major animal welfare organization, including the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, American Humane Association, and Animal Legal Defense Fund, in addition to other animal-focused organizations like the National Animal Control Association, the American Kennel Club and the American Veterinary Medical Association, opposes breed specific legislation. Not just bans, but any breed-specific ordinance, since these policies are all equally based on misinformation and prejudice, and they have proven to be ineffective and expensive to enforce.

The humane society says that mandatory spay/neuter is a "positive way of preventing a breed ban," ignoring the fact that legally distinguishing a group of dogs for any sort of restriction lays the groundwork for a future ban. 

Despite HSHV's claims that they are not stigmatizing pit bulls, by singling out these dogs, they are making a statement that pit bulls -- not irresponsible owners -- are a problem. In many cities, these types of laws have led to a "soft ban," where becomes harder for people to have pit bulls as landlords, insurance companies and others use the breed specific ordinance as an excuse to profile these dogs and their owners.

Tell the Humane Society of Huron Valley to stop supporting breed specific legislation that discriminates against dogs and targets responsible dog owners.

***I encourage you to personalize the letter below. Letting HSHV know, in your own words, why you don't agree with breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter legislation will have even more impact!***

Photo credit: Edwin Luciano

Recent Signatures

Breed-Specific Mandatory Spay/Neuter Doesn't Help Pit Bulls

Dear Humane Society of Huron Valley

I was disappointed to learn that, after all of the positive work the Humane Society of Huron Valley has done for pit bulls in recent years, the organization is now supporting breed specific legislation in Ypsilanti Township.

While mandatory spay/neuter may seem like it can only benefit the dogs by reducing overpopulation, any ordinance that singles out pit bull type dogs is damaging to the breeds. Once the legal distinction for a group of dogs is created, it lays the groundwork for a future breed ban and for landlords, insurance agents and others to discriminate against the dogs. Further, mandatory spay/neuter does not address problems of accessibility and understanding of spay/neuter services, and it won't stop people who are already illegal breeding dogs from continuing to violate the law.

Breed-specific mandatory spay/neuter is misguided policy that neglects the root problem: Irresponsible owners. If pit bull owners in Ypsilanti Township were the only problem dog owners in your county, then a county-wide, all-breed law wouldn't punish any responsible owners. By targeting dogs based on appearance and zip code, you will not resolve the real issues of ignorance and animal cruelty.

Every national humane organization opposes breed specific legislation -- of all types, not just bans -- because these policies discriminate against dogs, and are ineffective and expensive to enforce.

I urge the Humane Society of Huron Valley to stop supporting breed specific legislation. Non-discriminatory legislation, as well as aggressive outreach and education, are proven ways to end the suffering of dogs in your community. Please show pit bulls that you love them by not legislatively targeting them.

[Your name]

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