If tomorrow, a breed-specific law was passed against Pomeranians allowing me to sue any owner of that breed, you might hear some commotion amongst Pomeranian owners. Maryland's new law focuses specifically on "pit bull dogs and cross-bred pit bull dogs," allowing these two breeds to be deemed dangerous outside a court of law if involved in an attack (No. 53, Tracey v. Solesky - 2012).

Being a pit bull owner, laws like these make it very difficult to allow other people to walk, watch or even play with my dog because I am now in fear that someone could produce a falsified claim against me and/or the dog. Maryland is discriminating against the pit bull, and at the same time, it is making the lives of pit bull owners much more difficult.

I would agree with this legislation if it weren't specific to the pit bull breed. Any dog is capable of biting. Dogs of all breeds, across the world, have been involved in attacks. This law should be a non-specific law when it comes to dog breeds.

Thank you,
Emmanuel Z. Karabetis