Baltimore City Council Disagrees with Dog Ban

May 7, 2001 Baltimore, Maryland, USA

A City Council committee in Baltimore opposed the idea of a pit bull ban last week, stating that a stereotypical discrimination against the breed would not only be unfair, but would be costly and ineffectual as well.

The proposed ban came on the heels of a recent nationwide (albeit worldwide) panic  reaction to isolated cases of injury.  Unwilling to join in the "one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch" mentality, Councilman Edward L. Reisinger, committee chairman, stated yesterday. "There are a lot of the other animals out there...that also fight and cause problems."

He also said, referring to the proposed ban, "Basically, I think it discriminates against one animal."

But all ad hominem arguments aside, Councilman Reisinger cites the futility of such measures, as revealed by the failure of pit bull bans in Cincinnati and Prince George's County.  In these instances, there was a significant cost to the municipalities in enforcing the laws, while the effect was to further lose sight of the problem.

"It forced pit bull owners to go underground, and we don't want that," he said.

To enact such a ban would cost Baltimore an estimated $750,000 a year for additional animal control staff, more shelter space, transportation and carcass disposal.

Opposing Councilman Reisinger's philosophy will be certain members of the Housing, Health & Environment committee.  This committee will pursue the issue of banning pit bulls before the full council in a vote on Monday.

"In Prince George's County, a 1997 ban on pit bulls that led to the euthanasia of 2,400 dogs has been considered a failure. County officials have not decided whether to repeal the ban, said Reginald Parks, spokesman for County Executive Wayne K. Curry."

The Baltimore Sun

Editor's note: Yes, when you hear the words "pit bull ban", it does not simply mean that the dogs will be courteously ushered outside the city limits.  A pit bull ban means that all roaming pit bulls shall be destroyed, regardless of health or temperament.

Pictured above is Sunshine, a pit bull who was abandoned at a shelter with severe injuries.  Please visit Roscoes Rescue to learn her touching story.  She's now a very happy dog.

UPDATE May 15, 2001:
Results of City Council's Vote to Ban Dogs

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