Should Pit Bulls Be Banned in Owings Mills? Readers Respond

OWINGS MILLS, MD–A recent attack by a pit bull of its owner in Anne Arundel County has again ignited a debate in Maryland about whether the breed is inherently dangerous.

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On April 4, a dog was euthanized by police after it attacked a Churchton woman and would not let go. The incident prompted comment from Tony Solesky, a Towson man whose son was mauled by a pit bull in 2007.

After Solesky’s child was attacked, a Maryland court ruled pit bulls are “inherently dangerous.” The ruling held dog owners and landlords liable for any attacks by pit bulls, prompting landlords statewide to ban the dogs from rental housing.

A 2014 Maryland law supported by the Humane Society overturned the breed-specific ruling, reports The Huffington Post.

We asked Patch Readers in Owings Mills if pit bulls deserved the title of “Most Dangerous Dog in America” and the ban that sometimes comes along with it. Here’s what they had to say:

• "Definitely not don't ban the breed - punish the deed - if a dog - no matter what breed - is dangerous than take it from there but most pitties, rotties, germ sheps are very loving - I know some poodles that will bite your finger off"
• "No. Absolutely not. Like the above punish the deed and not the breed. Also it's inbreeding that does cause issues with temperament etc. some are breeding pitties with animal and or human aggression on purpose. It's sad!"
• "Nope...but I think we need to fine more owners for unleashed dogs and for not picking up after them!"
• "Maybe a breeding ban might be the answer no because of the breed being dangerous necessarily, but because there are too many at the shelters with no home."
  
• "I didn't realize being licked to death is considered dangerous. Get to know them before assuming all are dangerous- it takes one incident and boom, every last pit bull is on the "danger list" to some people. Smh. Let 's talk about how "dangerous" people are to pit bulls- like the one my family has that was abused so bad , for the first 2 years my family had him you couldn't raise your hands in excitement or simple conversation around him. He would cower at your feet in fear."
  
• "Not at all. It's how they are raised, not their breed. I know so many pitbulls that are such "babies"."
• "No! While genetics play into a dogs temperament, how they are raised is critical."
• "Stop the cross breeding !"
• "No! And how would you enforce a law like that anyway?"
• "Absolutely not!"

The ASPCA released a statement stating that they “oppose any state or local law to regulate or ban dogs based on breed.”

They explain that the data collection methods that go into forming dog bite statistics are often unreliable. Specifically, breed identification can be difficult, especially with mixed-breed dogs, which can lead to an inaccurate calculation of a breed’s bite rate. Further complicating things is the fact that "pit bull" is not an actual breed.

The National Canine Research Council says that responsible pet ownership is the key to aggression prevention, and that it’s the duty of the owner to not allow “a pet to become a threat or a nuisance.”

While the question of “bad breeds” is still up in the air, for every bad pit bull story, there’s a good one to match.

Do you have an opinion on pitties? Share it with us in the comments below or on our Owings Mills Patch Facebook page.

Make sure to check out our national Patch Pets Facebook page for the latest news from the animal kingdom.

>>Photo by Getty Images via Flickr