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July 16, 2010

 

Dear Board Members, Members and dog lovers:
    
       The Miami Herald recently ran an article about “pit bulls” used as service dogs in Miami Dade County despite the ban on dogs that animal control officers believe look like “pit bulls”.  We would like to clarify some statements made in the article and correct others.  
     
Miami Dade County’s ban on these dogs was grandfathered in when Florida made it illegal to discriminate based on a dog’s breed.  Dogs that look like pit bulls are protected elsewhere in Florida from discrimination based on breed.  
 
Larry Steinhauser is quoted as saying the pit bulls he has seen are “aggressive”. Of course, we don’t know whether he has seen one or two or any “pit bulls”. People cannot look at most dogs and accurately determine their breed. Recently, in Denver Dr. Victoria Voith did a little test on animal shelter directors, dog trainers and others who work with dogs.  They were asked to view 20 dogs on a videotape and identify each one by breed including whether the dog was a purebred or a mix. The professionals were surprised by how few dogs they identified correctly by breed. Voith believes as many as 75% of the pit bull identifications made by shelter workers, animal control or law enforcement are wrong. She is the author of Shelter Medicine: A Comparison of Visual and DNA Identifications of BREEDS of Dogs.  As DNA testing becomes more reliable, it is proving that many of the dogs identified as pit bull are actually a mix of dozens of breeds with little or none of the DNA of pit bull type dogs. 
 
That means a lot of dogs condemned by BSL are not even "pit bull" breeds.    
 
In the last two legislative sessions pit bull bans like those proposed by Mr. Steinhauser were defeated. That is because legislators understand breed bans don’t work to make communities safe. Study after study has proven this. Dogs don't bite because of breed or appearance; they bite out of fear that could have been the result of poor socialization, neglect, abuse, tethering or confinement or isolation.  In other words, it is the owner's negligent or criminal actions that are responsible, not the dog's breed or appearance.
 
Breed bans penalize responsible owners and mean the death of dogs that are not in any way dangerous.  Breed discrimination is also very costly for communities. Think of it. It means taxpayers are paying animal control officers to run around and hunt down and kill dogs they think are pit bulls when we know even trained professionals cannot identify the breed of most dogs.
 
We would have like to see Mr. Steinhauser come to our Annual MCABSL BBQ Pit Event or Ernie Sims Pitbulls on Parade Event  (in Tally). He would have the chance to meet dozens of Pit Bulls, Staffies and mixes and experience the true temperament and standard of these incredible dogs. We think if he had attended this event, he would have realized you can’t predict whether a dog may bite based on appearance or breed or what you think the breed may be. He also would have had a great time with some wonderful dogs!  
    
     The other person quoted in the article is Ms. Janet Severt, from New Horizons Service Dogs in Orlando, Florida, She is quoted as stating that although she disagrees with the ban she would never train a Pit Bull as a Service Dog. But remember the Center for Disease Control states: “There is no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill.” In some “Bite Lists“ the top biters are Labs and Golden Retrievers which Ms. Severt recommends and trains as Service Dogs!
 
Again, it is not possible to predict whether a dog may bite based on appearance or some belief about breed.
   
There have been a number of Pits, Staffies and mixes who have been service dogs.  There is Ruby who visited Hialeah Hospital and Ice Pop who constantly visits hospitals and has raised more than $10,000.00 dollars for charities by offering $1.00 per kiss…They were both rescued from inhumane conditions as pups. The list goes on...Pits, Staffies and their mixes make wonderful service dogs! Miami-Dade County’s recognition that pit bulls can be service dogs proves how illogical and irrational the breed ban is. And how tragic for the dogs and the people who love them.  
 
Respectfully,
 
Dahlia Canes~Edel Miedes-Directors
The Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation.
 (305) 323~3960
 
for more information please contact the dept. ADA info line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 ada.gov 

 

March 5, 2010
 
Dear Senator Hill:
  
    Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Dahlia Canes and I am the Director for
Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation ( www.unitedagainstbsl.com ). This is
in reference to 1276 that was in committee meeting today. The bill, SB 1276, as
amended by the committee reads: provided that no such regulation may ban ownership
of any breed. This would prohibit bans on owning particular breeds but would open the
door to other regulations based on breed. This is Breed Specific Legislation. If this bill
becomes law, local governments or local Sheriff, could require owners of particular
breeds to obtain costly liability coverage and impose onerous requirements for
confinements, handling, and even walking dogs based on breed. Under HB 543/SB1276
Local Governments would be allowed to enact breed specific laws.
 
   This language in this piece of legislation is BREED SPECIFIC, in all its contents,
it is written within the silence of the mission it carries. The grave consequences this
legislation carries are inhumane and genocidal. As it is, even for experts, it is difficult
and nearly impossible to recognize a specific breed of dog without DNA test. This would
open the door to hundreds of thousand of innocent dogs being killed by our animal
services, with our tax dollars. It would financially drain any and all animal related
agencies.
 
   This is not a solution to the problem. There are national, reputable animal
organization willing to step up and work with committees to solve the problem
accurately and cost effectively. This legislation does not address the real problems,
which are tethering of dogs, dog fighting, irresponsible owners, and weak dangerous
dog laws/ ordinances throughout our state.
 The end result if this bill is passed, would be an exodus of constituents leaving
Florida as they would not be able to financial handle the imposing regulations that its
city or county may enact. This would also step up the dog bite/attack situation, as many
dogs would be let loose, become strays due to irresponsible owners. This legislation
would only punish the responsible owner and the irresponsible owners will go
underground. This is the reality of this legislation.
 
  In Miami-Dade County, there has been a pit bull ban since 1989. This has done nothing
to safeguard the general population and it is only a false sense of security. Just last
year, over 800 good Pit Bull/Mixes were confiscated from responsible owners and put
down by Miami Dade Animal Services
In closing, I implore you to reconsider a better solution with a proposal, which we are
willing to accommodate your schedule to accomplish.
 
In hope and commitment,
 
Dahlia Canes
Director
 

 

 

  January 21, 2010


Dear Members and Friends:
 
The Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation has been a part of many Pit Bull Confiscation hearings within the last year. We have shown our support throughout these hearings in order to aid the dog owners whose pets have been deemed “illegal Pit Bulls” and who have been ordered to leave the county by Miami Dade Animal Services. We have been very successful in raising awareness of the unjust and unfounded BSL ordinance and the improper procedures used to implement it. We have realized that we need to file a lawsuit against the county to have this ban repealed once and for all, and this is exactly what we are going to do. It is now more than ever that WE NEED YOU! Whether you are a local resident or a long distance supporter, your help is critical. We need volunteers to help at our fundraising events, to raise awareness, and to promote the ending of Breed Specific Legislation. Most importantly, we need proper funding to file the lawsuit. Remember that at the end of the day, we’re out there fighting to save YOUR DOGS! Don’t wait until they knock on your door to stand up and make a difference, by then it will be too late. BSL affects more than just Pit Bulls and local residents, it applies to 75 different breeds of dogs targeted all over the country. Miami Dade county is the strong hold for BSL, but if we can end it here, other cities will follow. Please dig into your recession pockets and help with a contribution. Every dollar counts and helps us continue to save lives. Remember that you can contribute online or by contacting us directly. We need businesses, corporations, dog clubs, kennels clubs, animal organizations, advocacy groups, and any other individuals willing to help. WE NEED ALL THE SUPPORT POSSIBLE TO GIVE THESE DOGS A FIGHTING CHANCE! Please support this cause today. Make a difference by giving of your time and making a contribution. Bless you for caring for these animals! It is our duty to love them as much as they so unconditionally love us! We will continue to go forth and challenge BSL!

In Hope and Commitment,

Dahlia Canes
Director & Co-Founder of MCABSL

Got questions for Dahlia? Send her an email at: suthmalone@aol.com.

 
 

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