On Tuesday September 26, 2023, a package of preemption bills was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. HB 5039, 5040 and 5041 would prevent local units of government in counties, cities, townships and villages from enacting or enforcing and Breed Safety Legislation or BSL. They have been referred to the Agriculture Committee for review. Over 35 communities in Michigan have some type of breed specific ordinances that have kept their communities safe from severe, disfiguring dog maulings. Grosse Pointe Shores recently enacted a ban on pit bulls in their community after a horrific pit bull mauling on a beloved pet dog, which also injured the dog’s owners.
In a Detroit Free Press article that quotes Matt Pepper, the President and CEO of Michigan Humane Society, he states, “A municipality which wants to protect its citizens, and safety is important to all of us, should focus on the enforcement of existing laws and the actual behavior of owners and their dogs. The tools to create safer environments, for both people and pets, are already available and just need to be enforced uniformly and fairly.”
What Pepper fails to understand is that Breed Safety Laws PREVENT severe, disfiguring maulings. Dangerous Dog laws are reactive, not preventative. They are only enforced AFTER a horrific attack has occurred. We believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Breed Safety Laws (BSL) are that preventative measure. Read about cities with successful pit bull laws. Well written breed-specific legislation saves the lives and limbs of children, adults, senior citizens and beloved pets.
The facts are that pit bull type dogs are responsible for a disproportionate number of severe, disfiguring maulings. Any dog can bite. There is a world of difference between a “bite” and a sustained mauling. BSL won’t stop bites, but BSL does PREVENT or will reduce severe maulings.
“The science is very clear,” said bill sponsor state Rep. Veronica Paiz, D-Harper Woods in a statement. “We know that breed alone doesn’t account for behavioral differences between dogs, yet this misperception continues. Responsible dog owners shouldn’t have to experience the hardships of the misunderstandings of our canine family members.” But is that accurate? Overwhelming data says “NO”.
Michigan State Rep. Paiz relying on junk science to protect bred to kill pit bull type dogs and other dangerous breed dogs is irresponsible. Pit bulls are the #1 canine killer of people, pets and livestock every year followed by Rottweilers. It has nothing to do with how they are raised, but everything to do with GENETICS.
The medical data is clear– “Attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs. Strict regulation of pit bulls may substantially reduce the US mortality rates related to dog bites.” – from Mortality, Mauling and Maiming by vicious dogs by Bini et al., Annals of Surgery, April 2011
Michigan has lost many lives to dangerous dog breeds. The new Michigan preemption bills are insulting to dog attack victims and are in opposition to Michigan’s longstanding doctrine of Local Control. Local units of government should have the right to decide how to best protect their communities. Protecting public safety should be the priority of Legislature. These bills do not reflect that priority.
How bout lawsuits when someone or a pet is injured. Thanks you DEMON-CRATS for protecting your citizens.