Pit Bull’s Perspective

“The Florida Senate is advancing a controversial bill that could lead to tougher municipal laws on owners of pit bulls and other ‘dangerous’ breeds, an idea that has prompted outraged dog lovers to e-mail and call their lawmakers in droves.

“The legislation, approved by the senate’s Community Affairs Committee on a 9-2 vote, would repeal Florida’s 1990 ban on breed-specific dog regulations, as long as any new rules stop short of an outright ban. Cities and counties could require owners to muzzle certain breeds in public, carry insurance to pay for attacks, or take ownership training.

“We are discriminating against the good owners and the good dogs,” fumed Laura Bevan, director the Eastern Regional Office of the Humane Society of the United States.”–(excerpted from the Sun-Sentinel)

We have already seen breed-specific legislation, and outright bans, elsewhere in the U.S. For example, Denver has outlawed pit bulls inside city limits.

I know a little gray-and-white pitbull named Daisy Mae. Her person, Alison, rescued her from the shelter. She was abused and shy. Alison rehabilitated Daisy and now she acts as a therapy dog and ambassador for the pit bull breed. This is what Daisy Mae has to say about breed-specific legislation:

“I do a lot of work teaching people about pit bulls. It is my job. It makes me very upset that people hate my breed because some people teach members of my breed to do bad things. People talk a lot about our jaws. I am very conscious of my jaw. I play with puppies, little children, and the elderly. I would never hurt anyone. When I think about a dog of my breed being taken away from her or his people because of our potential danger, I get sick to my stomach. My mom says that some people hate other types of people as well. She says that is very wrong, so it scares me.

“I want to tell people that I know a lot of pit bulls that make old and sick people smile. People like to see us play and they like to see us dressed up doing tricks.

“Those mean pit bulls have had bad owners and they are really sad and confused inside. They need help. I wish that those people who make those laws could meet me and some of the people I have helped find joy when they are sick or sad. If those lawmakers met me they might change their minds.

“I think every pit bulll on some level knows that people are scared of us. I want people to know that if you take in a pit bull from a shelter they will probably love you and be more loyal then any other breed. We know it is only special people who are willing to walk around with someone, like us, who has so much hatred directed towards them. I want to tell people to get to know us. If they like laughter they would like us.”