Approximately one year ago, my wife and I were denied the opportunity to become pre-adoptive parents through DCF--not because we are lesbians or unfit parents or have a criminal history (only the first of which is true). In fact, we are fully equipped to handle nearly any child. We were, in no uncertain terms, told in the initial call with our assigned adoption worker that we would not be proceeding to the next step because we owned a 6-month old German Shepherd puppy. Apparently, unbeknownst to us, German Shepherds are a "banned breed" as far as DCF is concerned. Imagine our astonishment. We own a home; we have advanced degrees (three of them, in fact); we hold occupations in human services-- my wife is a special education teacher and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and grant writer; we maintain a happy, healthy household with three children; we possess exceptional abilities to advocate for children within the school and other systems; I (Jennifer) have been a licensed foster parent in MA in the past; and we are willing and enthusiastic about adopting a child or sibling group of any race or ethnicity. The dog in question (now a year and a half in age), it should be noted, plays on the floor with our three children, is being properly socialized, has already completed two series of puppy trainings, and is enrolled in her third training. When we appealed to the supervisor of the adoption office in our area, she very politely and sympathetically reiterated that this is the Massachusetts law: "No child under age 12 will be placed in a home where a Rottweiler, Pit Bull or German Shepherd dog, or a dog which mixes at least 2 of these 3 breeds, is maintained on the premises, except after a review conducted in accordance with Regulation 110 CMR 7.105 (18) and with the approval of the Area Director." We could, she told us, proceed with the process, but chances were slim to none that we would actually be chosen as adoptive parents because we have a "banned breed." Notably, DCF communicated to us that there is NO opportunity to provide a behavior/temperament assessment (even at our own expense) of our family pet--despite wording in the law that suggests otherwise. According to AKC Dog Registration Statistics, the German Shepherd is the second-most popular breed of dog in the United States. This means that a significant number of otherwise-qualified pre-adoptive families in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are immediately disqualified. My wife and I, like many other families who are not willing to abandon their family dog for the sake of this rigid rule, are forced to adopt privately or not at all rather than provide a home for the Commonwealth's most needy children. We question whether this policy, which is being unilaterally applied, is really in the best interest of children who need permanent, loving homes. Although we do believe that this law was very likely enacted in reaction to an unfortunate incident(s) with one of the breeds listed, not ALL dogs of these breeds are dangerous to children. This law seems reactive rather than protective. Ideally, we would like to see this law repealed. At the very least, we ask that families with the breeds referenced above be permitted to provide a behavior/ temperament assessment by a reputable animal behaviorist, at their own expense, demonstrating the safety of their dog. My wife and I are now forced to consider other options for expanding our family, when we would have preferred to provide a home for a child in need through DCF. From our viewpoint, this is a lose/lose situation that affects hundreds of children and families in Massachusetts every year. Thank you for supporting our petition on this crucial issue.