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Livingston County Passes Pit Bull Ban Save Email Print
Posted: 11:18 PM May 19, 2008
Last Updated: 2:35 AM May 20, 2008
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
Email Address: jamie.edmonds@wilx.com

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Some say pit bulls are dangerous, others say they've just gotten a bad rap.

Jennifer Armstrong of Howell owns this two year old pit bull named Mya.

She agrees with the later.

"I've owned American bulldogs," Armstrong said. "I've owned pit bulls. I just love them."

But after two people were mauled in Iosco Township last September, the director of the Livingston County Animal Control has been working for stricter laws for "bully breed" dogs.

"If I did nothing, I couldn't look at myself in the morning," Anne Burns, director of the Livingston County Animal Control, said.

Burns proposed a policy which discontinues adoptions of Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, and American Pitt Bull Terriers from the shelter.

"I'm not banning pit bulls by any means," Burns said. "I'm just not going to adopt them out to the community that could be a potential for extreme harm."

The policy, which was adopted by the Livingston County Board of Commissioners Monday, also includes euthanizing the stray dogs picked up off the streets within days if the owners don't claim them.

But dog trainer Sami Sprague said the breed itself is not violent, it's the environment.

"Breed specific legislation is not the answer we're looking for," Sprague said.

"There are no bad dogs, only bad owners," Armstrong said.

Armstrong said Mya is one of the lucky ones, because she was adopted from the shelter before this policy was passed.

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Posted by: Ann Location: Howell on Jun 27, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Thank you Anne Burns for finally doing something in the right direction I think the people who say there are great 'it's the owners who are the problem',are not being realistic. These dogs are protecting there owners as do many breeds,but the bulls bite and hold on causing far more damage than other dogs. They also kill. I think we have to value people more than taking the chance of these dogs harming someone.

Posted by: Jenifer Location: Lansing on May 30, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I saved the last dog from this Animal Control!! He was destined to die on Monday and I rescued him on Friday. They wouldn't let me get the female. (She was 'aggressive'.) Please, please help him find a new home!! He's listed on Pitbull Rescue Central and craigslist in Lansing. His name is Gambler. He's an absolute angel. He's been dumped so many times and he's not even a year old! Please, please help this guy!

Posted by: Kathryn Location: Alabama on May 27, 2008 at 02:59 PM
If a man raped a woman would the community deem it necessary to kill all men? HARDLY! Yet the same ignorant action is perpetrated against all of a specific breed of dog because of the behavior of one or some who haven't been properly socialized. Do something . . . THINK about it! Watch Dog Whispherer Cesar Millan on National Geographic and LEARN! ! !

Posted by: Brian Location: Nyack, NY on May 27, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I am tired of the statement "there are no bad dog only bad owners". Iv gew up with dogs and Iv had my dog for 2 years now. Its always the Pit Bulls that you need to worry about, those are the dogs that start the fights with other dogs. My Lab was just attacked by a Staford Terrier. The attack was completely unprovoked. My dog ended up with a gash under his eye. Pit Bull owners like to pretend that breeding doesnt work, it does. Without training my Lab likes to retrieve. Pointers like to point, shepards commanly herd other animals and Pit Bulls are aggressive and like to fight other dogs. You can get lucky with one but you never can tell what might set it off. There is no need to be politically correct, they arent people. We breed them to be the way that they are.

Posted by: Social Mange Location: Canada on May 21, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Breed-specific legislation (including "policies") is a lazy, knee-jerk, uninformed response to a complex problem. It makes responsible dog owners into second-class citizens, and kills unoffending dogs solely on the basis of their appearance. Breed-specific legislation is also promoted by animal "rights" extremists who want to end pet ownership of any kind altogether. Ms. Burns and the Livingston County Commissioners apparently want to run a slaughterhouse, not operate an animal shelter.

Posted by: Tammy Location: Charlotte on May 21, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I own a Brindel Pit Bull. He's turning 11 this June. He's one of the nicest and gentlest dogs you'd ever meet. I know if someone broke in they'd still be in my house when I arrived. He'd only force them to play with him until he became bored.

Posted by: Fran Coughlin Location: Toronto on May 21, 2008 at 12:30 AM
One would think that the director of a animal control agency would educate themselves before deciding to distroy ALL dogs based ONLY on appearance. WHY do these people go for these jobs if they don't have a heart or care about animals? To discriminate on LOOKS is just plain WRONG. I suggest Burnes read the new critically aclaimed book "Redemption" by N. J. Winograd. That people want to KILL ALL these dogs NOT based on behaviour or disposition is horrific. Burnes is just plain LAZY and the dogs are going to pay with it with THEIR very lives. I pity the dog owners in Livingston as Ontario is now a living hell for dog owners and THOUSANDS of innocent dogs and families are being devastated for these people's ignorance. Guess I am going to change my mind about moving there in retirement.

Posted by: Jim Location: Jackson on May 20, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Suggesting Mrs. Burns educate herself is nice. But clearly she is one of those people too lazy to do her job so she thinks a ban will do it for her. National animal control agencies are all strongly opposed to what she is doing. As are vets and anyone else knowledgable on dogs. Simply put, she is clearly too lazy to do her job, never bothered to educate herself on even the basics of her career. And she now thinks a ban will take away her liability. I feel bad for all of Livingston Co.'s pet owners to have someone so ignorant running their animal control.

Posted by: kms Location: fowlerville on May 20, 2008 at 12:32 PM
what i hate the most is how people just assume that pit bulls and american bulldogs and other breeds are all mean and aggresive. what i hate more is stupid commercials that have those breeds of dogs being agressive. thats what is makign this situation more out of control. people say the same thing about rotweilers. everybody says o those are very agressive dogs. no i grew up with those we had 3 adults plus puppys. i would lay on them and ride on their back and they never hurt me. it doesnt matter what kind of dog you have any dog can be aggressive.from the smallest foo foo dog to a huge big mastiff any dog can be aggressive any dog can kill anybody and anything.

Posted by: Mac Location: U.S. on May 20, 2008 at 11:44 AM
If Ms Burns was willing to learn about the dogs she and others call "Pit Bulls" she would understand how wrong she is, but that would take some effort. Shame on her and others that promote the hatred towards the owners of these dogs and the slaughter of these wonderful dogs. Take the time to learn. http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/section.php?id=2 These are the people and animals whose lives you are destroying by promoting the stereotypes and myths. http://server.inalbum.com/show/jodipreis/Message_to_the_Media2.html?296033009

Posted by: Faith Location: Seattle on May 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Ms Burns should read a book on canine aggression before adopting decisions that will kill many wonderful dogs. I recommend she read 'Fatal Dog Attacks' or 'the Pitbull Placebo' both by Karen Delise. Maybe then she will realize that throughout history people have been making false associations between breed and aggression, often sparked by sensational media articles. You stupid stupid woman! Just another example of breed profiling.

Posted by: nikki on May 20, 2008 at 10:38 AM
You people that want to ban pit bulls are just plain insane. A dog is not born aggressive it's the owner. The idiots that get ahold of these dogs and train them to be aggressive are the ones that need to be punished not the dogs.Are you going to ban every breed that had ever been aggressive????? If not why talk abuot stupidity!!!!!!!! There is no differance in the ankle biter that gets aggressive and a pit bull that gets aggressive. All said and sone it's the owners responsiblity............. Bottom line make people responsible for there animals....... It's there fault there dogs are aggressive......

Posted by: E Location: Jackson on May 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM
I agree, it's the owner. I own 2 pitbulls who are the sweetest nicest dogs you could meet. They are good around other dogs and children. I'm tired of hearing people bicker about how pitbulls are dangerous, the owner is dangerous. Animals just like Children learn from their care givers, they do what they are told.

Posted by: Josh Location: Des Moines on May 20, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I agree with Armstrong.

Posted by: Arch Location: Lansing on May 19, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Breed Specific Legislation works for politicians who don't actually want to do work to make change. Ms. Burns clearly doesn't want to attempt to pass legislation to punish the humans who harm these dogs, she just wants to take the easy route and ban the breed. Kudos to you, ma'am, for not doing your job, just finding an easier way to sit around and do nothing with your pretty title. You're one of the reasons the human race has gotten so ignorant. Don't actually look at the real problem, just go for a short fix. Do whatever is easy. Hard work is hard! I can't imagine what it must be like to actually work at your job! Oh, how I wish the internet allowed for more sarcasm.

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