Repeal Melvindale Pitbull Ban
The Issue
Under Sec. 4-136
The city of Melvindale claims that their reasoning for the Pitbull type dog is identify dogs which "pose an unacceptable risk to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens" living in the community. However, these claims are based on a wildly spread misconception of the breed and have no scientific merit.
What exactly is a Pitbull?
Based on Melvindale's Pitbull / Pitbull type dog classifications, any dog containing one or more of OVER 15 classifications including:
A short, glossy, stiff to the touch coat
A short tail in comparison to size
Well-sprung ribs deep in rear
A Well-Defined Jaw
And the list goes on and on.
The problem here is that there are over 75 dog breeds which could fit this classification. In addition, Police Officers and Animal Control Officers ARE NOT trained veterinaries. The training that our law enforcement officers would have to undergo in order to properly determine if a dog was in fact, a pit-bull would be extensive and even then, only a DNA test could be 100% certain.
What does this mean?
It is nearly impossible to determine whether or not a dog is a pit bull. A pit bull ban is not only difficult to monitor but its a waste of taxpayer money which could be going elsewhere.
Now to address the fact that pit-bulls are not a public threat as Melvindale has deemed them.
What is Proven is that:
In a study conducted by The American Temperament Test Society (2010-2011), The American Pit Bull Terrier was ranked amongst the Top 10 Dog Breeds with the BEST temperament.
"There's no scientific evidence to indicate that one type of dog will bite more than another dog," said Donald Cleary, spokesperson of the National Canine Research Council. "In fact, pit bulls have tested less aggressive than other dogs."
According to a study, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Pit-bulls DO NOT have a "lockjaw"
Several animal organizations including The American Veterinary Medical Associate and The Centers for Disease Control have voiced their oppositions towards dog breed restrictions.
Bring back America's Dog; The American Pit Bull terrier and Pit-Bull type dogs. Melvindale's current Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is punishing responsible dog owners by restricting there right to choose their family pet. Pit-Bull type dogs have not been scientifically proven to be more dangerous than any other dog and as such. All BSL does is reinforce misconceptions and spread hate and fear.
I encourage all animal advocates to sign the petition and let the City of Melvindale know that we need to educate our communities and accept a responsible dog ownership mentality and hold those who abuse this right accountable for their actions.
BLAME THE DEED NOT THE BREED.
Repeal Melvindale's Pit-Bull Ban
Contact the City of Melvindale at
313.429.1050 Mayor's Office
Read the Pitbull Ban here:
https://www.animallaw.info/local/mi-melvindale-breed-division-5-pit-bull-terriers#Sec4-143
The Issue
Under Sec. 4-136
The city of Melvindale claims that their reasoning for the Pitbull type dog is identify dogs which "pose an unacceptable risk to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens" living in the community. However, these claims are based on a wildly spread misconception of the breed and have no scientific merit.
What exactly is a Pitbull?
Based on Melvindale's Pitbull / Pitbull type dog classifications, any dog containing one or more of OVER 15 classifications including:
A short, glossy, stiff to the touch coat
A short tail in comparison to size
Well-sprung ribs deep in rear
A Well-Defined Jaw
And the list goes on and on.
The problem here is that there are over 75 dog breeds which could fit this classification. In addition, Police Officers and Animal Control Officers ARE NOT trained veterinaries. The training that our law enforcement officers would have to undergo in order to properly determine if a dog was in fact, a pit-bull would be extensive and even then, only a DNA test could be 100% certain.
What does this mean?
It is nearly impossible to determine whether or not a dog is a pit bull. A pit bull ban is not only difficult to monitor but its a waste of taxpayer money which could be going elsewhere.
Now to address the fact that pit-bulls are not a public threat as Melvindale has deemed them.
What is Proven is that:
In a study conducted by The American Temperament Test Society (2010-2011), The American Pit Bull Terrier was ranked amongst the Top 10 Dog Breeds with the BEST temperament.
"There's no scientific evidence to indicate that one type of dog will bite more than another dog," said Donald Cleary, spokesperson of the National Canine Research Council. "In fact, pit bulls have tested less aggressive than other dogs."
According to a study, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Pit-bulls DO NOT have a "lockjaw"
Several animal organizations including The American Veterinary Medical Associate and The Centers for Disease Control have voiced their oppositions towards dog breed restrictions.
Bring back America's Dog; The American Pit Bull terrier and Pit-Bull type dogs. Melvindale's current Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is punishing responsible dog owners by restricting there right to choose their family pet. Pit-Bull type dogs have not been scientifically proven to be more dangerous than any other dog and as such. All BSL does is reinforce misconceptions and spread hate and fear.
I encourage all animal advocates to sign the petition and let the City of Melvindale know that we need to educate our communities and accept a responsible dog ownership mentality and hold those who abuse this right accountable for their actions.
BLAME THE DEED NOT THE BREED.
Repeal Melvindale's Pit-Bull Ban
Contact the City of Melvindale at
313.429.1050 Mayor's Office
Read the Pitbull Ban here:
https://www.animallaw.info/local/mi-melvindale-breed-division-5-pit-bull-terriers#Sec4-143
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on January 29, 2015