As many people know, shelters all across the world are over packed with so called "bully" breeds for the liability reasons homeowners and apartment complex don't want to carry.  They don't give the dog or owners a chance to prove themselves worthy and who can blame them after hearing all the "bad" stories the media chooses to cover.  They never hear the "good" stories about how they have saved more lives then they have taken. In the 70's they did it to the Dobermans, in the 80's they did it to the German Shepherd , in the 90's it was the Rottweilers, and now the Pit Bull. The punishment and blame has rarely gone to the owners who are with out a doubt the reasoning behind any misbehavior just as it is with children.  A troubled child usually struggles to behave or respect the rules if not enforced in a calm and consistent manner.  If the owner is careless and aggressive the dog follows their constant display of anger and aggression as well.  A dog who is punished by some time in a crate and toys and privileges such as long walks, car rides, tug of war rope, etc are taken and verbal discipline is enforced with a stern but gentle voice to understand they are in trouble and get a much clearer understanding verses yelling, striking, kicking, starving, and neglection. These kind of punishments will only implement fear, anger, and a sense to be rebellious.  A dog remembers who hits them and are willing to take it because they are weaker.  Like us their patience wears out and ends up being taken out on someone that is smaller or weaker then them as humans do to animals.  Humans teach them its ok to pick on the smaller and defenseless target.

For dog owners who raise and discipline their dogs the right way, it hurts to have someone deny a home that allows and permits dogs of the same size and weight.  This is not only a discrimination to the dogs but a discrimination to the owner as well.  It says "your dogs are dangerous and so are you" without any consideration or valid reason to assume so.  They do background checks on people and assume because it came back clean and because they were never caught the people must be ok.  Any human being can load a gun, grab a knife, or plot a murder without ever having the desire before in their life and can become a danger.  Yet we as humans feel we are above all creatures and can put an entire species or breed in the "dangerous" box yet give ourselves room for error.  Human beings are the #1 killer on this planet, we kill for fun, for sport, and even for money.  Animals kill to eat, protect, defend themselves , or for territorial reasons in the wild.  Domesticated animals can strike and kill for different reasons.  They strike and kill over abuse, neglect, jealousy, fear, and dominance reasons.  None the less we as humans are guilty of the same crime.

I want nothing more than to prove people wrong about their opinions of the wonderful breeds that bring so much joy to this world. The loyalty and unconditional love they display is like no other.  As the proud owner of two Pit Bulls and a living example of the problem some face of being forced to give up their dogs who are like children to most.  I was not going to give up the only thing that makes me happy.  We slept in our car for three months because no one would take a minute to meet and observe how sweet and loving my girls really are.  We heard the words "no, not Pit Bulls" over five hundred times before I found someone to give us a chance.  I even tried in neighborhoods I would not have ever considered before thinking maybe they wouldn't judge as much, but I was wrong.  When we finally got our "yes" the neighbors were a little leery at first but they all love them now, all we needed was a fair and honest chance.  The things I love hearing the most are "I thought they were all bad, but I was wrong" or when someone see's how well they behave and bring their children over to meet them.  For just a second they drop their fear and assumptions that they are all bad dogs.

So between the struggle we faced and the facts I know about these misunderstood creatures I decided to do something about it.....................  It took a while to come up with a solution that would make sense and seem fair to not just the landlords but the very ones who can make this a law to defend the innocent.  I figured if people renting out homes or apartments were convinced that a dog is a dog and just like us need to be given a fair chance, that this problem could go away. So this is the foundation of my mission:

• At the pet owners expense have a certified temperament test and evaluation to determine rather a dog is aggressive or non-aggressive.
• At the home owners request and the pet owner expense to obtain private insurance on the dog to remove liability from the home renter.
• An insurance policy is about $300-$400 a year.
• Once certified non-aggressive and an insurance policy is obtained, if the home renter allows dogs of  the same size and weight, then the dog is granted permission by law.
• If a home renter denies permission regardless of certification and insurance, the home renter is breaking the law and could face fines.

We all have fears and most choose to believe what they hear or read not what they know.  So lets let the dogs and owners dedication speak for itself and remember that humans are more dangerous than dogs will ever be.

Thank you for your support and consideration.

Matthew D. Meritt