Every single citizen is affected. Tax dollars are wasted on this barbaric legislation. Families and citizens have had their beloved pets ripped from them and killed. Military service members and their families have been affected by this legislation as well. These pets only have to be suspected as Pit Bulls to be seized. According to an article by animal Farm Foundation, 'Rodney Taylor, the director of Prince George’s County’s animal services facility, publicly opposes the ban for many reasons. The Huffington Post reports that the shelter has a “live release rate” of only 64 percent. This is not a reflection on the shelter’s policies or approach to adoptions. The high euthanasia rate is largely due to the law that bans them from adopting out any dog that is labeled a “pit bull.” The euthanasia rate would be even higher, if the staff didn’t work so hard to make transports a daily reality. But until the ban is removed by lawmakers or struck down in court, the shelter will be stuck with a live release rate that falls far short of what progressive adoption centers, in areas without breed bans, are attaining. As Rodney told Huff Post, “Such beautiful dogs come in and we can’t adopt them to families that want to adopt them.” There are no facts or experts to back up the retention of this ineffective, inhumane law. In 2003, Prince George’s County authorized a task force to examine the results of their ban, in place since 1996. The Task Force reported that the ban was ineffective, has a negative impact on public safety, stretches animal control and sheltering resources thin, and costs approximately a half million dollars a year to enforce. That’s right, a half million a year.' After emailing my district representative in PG County, Mel Franklin several times on this issue with no response, I was finally presented with this as a response after emailing all of the district councilmen: "Not sure how your previous e-mails were missed. We receive alot of form auto-generated e-mails on this topic, which might explain why repeated e-mails went unanswered. The Council does not believe the general public supports revisiting this issue at this time. Thank you for the follow-up. MEL FRANKLIN Council Chairman Prince George's County Council, District 9 County Administration Bldg. 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 e-mail: mfranklin1@co.pg.md.us phone: 301-952-3820 fax: 301-952-5275" Please let Mr. Franklin know that this IS of general public interest and we do want change! Thank you in advance!