Many low income families and families with disabilities rely on pets for services.  Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is to refuse rentals to families with specific breeds that are label "aggressive breeds" such as Stafford Bull Terriers aka Pit Bulls, Doberman Pincer, Rottweiler, Chow, and others that are hidden in discriminatory bans via weight limits.  Many Mobile Home Parks, Manufactured Home Subdivisions, Gated Communities will stipulate no pets over 20lbs in effort to target the above listed breeds. 

Lets first target "Breed Specific Legislation" then we can implement language to prevent weight limitations in low income housing, public housing, insurance providers, and specific housing communities.  There is a mobile home park in Oregon that requires individuals mobile home owners and renters to buy insurance coverage.  Many affordable insurance companies will not cover dogs categorized under BSL.  And the insurance companies that do cover pets labeled in BSL have no limit in premium amounts.  With communities forcing rental insurance coverage as contract clause, people are forced to get rid of family pets and if the categorized BSL pet is registered as "Service Dog" the premium for insurance coverage required may disrupt the budget needed to obtain affordable housing.  Its a catch 22. 

We should be able to have what ever pets we want in ordinance with civil rights.  If we don't act now on civil liberties within our homes and dwelling communities we are giving up rights without any freedom of expression or choice.  Lets get a Bill to the senate with signatures of support to end discrimination against animals and enact on the Progress of change in Oregon for a completely nondiscriminatory place to live.  The more BSL is accepted the more families are losing members, pets are an extension of the family.  People are given a choice, either get rid of your pet or have a place to live.  This is deceptive as a choice, this is a situation that has caused people to abandon large dogs, euthanize healthy loving dogs, in order they may provide a roof over their children's heads.  Just ask Green Hill Humane Society, First Avenue Shelter, Northwest Dog Project, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and United States Humane Society how many dogs are surrendered because of BSL. 

If we change Oregon and take out BSL, we remove BSL from being a factor in our homeless population, and our limitation due to pets of a large size or breed.  We can help lower the amount of abandoned dogs of specific breed, lessen the abuse and cruelty of the breeds because BSL will not be a reason so many dogs end up in shelters creating over crowding, dropped off in rural areas, and abused from displaced anger.  Oregon needs to trust the people we will continue to practice the spay/neutering healthy choice for our pets with Oregon's low cost clinics and voucher programs such as WAG.  End BSL NOW, Please sign this petition , our Representative, I believe, will not let us down.  Peter DeFazio has a great record for animal advocacy, lets back him up.