URGENT!! CONCERNS ALL OF US THAT LOVE AND
OWN THE BREEDS!
Tracey v. Solesky ; Society v. Pitbulls -
Maryland, 4/26/12
In an exceptionally
ill-considered decision, on April 26, 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals
(highest court in the state) delivered a finding that not only held a landlord
liable for a 2007 incident in which his tenant’s dog, an American Pitbull
Terrier, escaped from a pen and mauled a child, but also declared that “a pit
bull or any dog with pit bull ancestry shall be deemed hence forth vicious and
inherently dangerous as a matter of law.”
While not banning pit
bulls entirely (and not offering any answer to the question of how to
conclusively determine if a dog actually is a pit bull or pit bull mix), the
ruling has massive significance for all “big-headed dogs” in the State of
Maryland. Not just the dogs themselves, but also their owners, and any humans
involved with them in any capacity. Shelters and rescue groups are scrambling
for legal opinions and advice on how to deal with the pit-type dogs already in
their custody, as well as any that may seek refuge in the future. Pet sitters,
veterinarians, trainers, groomers, pet-assisted therapy programs and other pet
care professionals, in addition to landlords and owners, now face a huge
liability burden if they provide services to pit bulls – or anything even
remotely suspected of being a pit bull. Insurance companies, already touchy
about pits and other breeds regarded as risky, now have a solid legal reason to
refuse to provide homeowners insurance to Maryland owners of pit or suspected
pit-type dogs.
The fallout is likely to be significant. The court’s
findings even went so far as to hold anyone responsible who “knew or should
have known” that the dog was a pit bull or pit mix, and offered services
anyway. Not that they can’t rent, or provide services, but if they
do and the dog bites someone they can be held strictly liable. Landlords
and insurances companies aren’t likely to risk that. Pet care professionals may
be more willing to take the risk, but with the “should have known” language,
won’t be able to pretend, as has often been done in the past, that the dog is
just a “terrier mix.” It’s probable that a lot of Maryland’s pit bull and
pit-type dogs will die, as renters are turned away, homeowners face threats of
canceled insurance, “no-kill” shelters refuse to accept them and full-service
shelters decide they cannot bear the liability risk and on the advice of their
attorneys, reluctantly choose to euthanize.
As this was a court
decision, not legislation, it slipped under the radar of every group that
watches the legislative process to combat breed-specific location. Animal
advocates are now scrabbling for a legislative fix to this disaster that would
take precedence over this otherwise binding decision that threatens doom for
thousands of well-loved dogs in Maryland. Meanwhile, until clearer heads
prevail, owners of pit-type dogs, or dogs who might be identified as pit-type
dogs, might do well to avoid visiting, or even traveling through, this
Mid-Atlantic state.
************************************************************
Humane American
Staffordshire
Terrier Shelter
Award
Protecting the Breeds since 1985
Last Updated 05-01-2012
**********************************************************
Please ask us how to help fight against
Breed Specific Legistlation!
Breed Specific Legistlation!
**********************************************************
Meet our May
Orphan
of the Month!
************************************************************
Meet Oreo!
Hey there and Happy Spring! I am a girl, duh, they say I am around 2 yrs old. I pretty much like other dogs and animals. I was rescued and boarded at a vet clinic to be available for adoption but...they kind of forgot about me, for a long time! Which is not hard to do because I am a very good and quiet girl and don't make a spectacle of myself. : ) I mean they took care of me, walked and fed me but never tried to find me a forever home. So here I am trying again. I would love to find a forever home in time for Summer! So, what are you waiting for? Get over here and adopt me!!!
***********************************************************
Note: Please do not take commentary on individual orphans as lack of decorum on placement policies.
Hours for Adoptions and Field Trips for the Orphans are
3 PM to 9 PM Tuesday through Sunday BY APPOINTMENT
ONLY! No exceptions! Closed for Appointments on
Mondays.
********************************************
Even if you can only assist with 17.00, that is one bag of food. We feed 8 bags of food per day and purchase from our own pockets all of our food, treats and toys. Your help regardless of how little is always appreciated and much needed to help us continue our work with this wonderful breed!
Please inquire on how to help!
Please inquire on how to help!
************************************************************
Read Mr. Sweets Rescue and Placement by clicking on his picture
************************************************************
Please don't forget to look at the other Breeds
of dogs at Spindletop that are looking for
a Forever Home!
************************************************************
The Freckles Freedom Fund
Please click on the picture above to view the website. They help Pit Bulls in need across the Country when funds allow, please donate, even $ 5.00 a month....with that x 500 folks is, well, Freckles said you can do the math.
*********************************************
