I would like to take the liberty of inviting you to a cause that may be close to your heart.  Mayor Michael Belsky of Highland Park is proposing a breed ban of Pit Bulls after a 14 year old girl was bitten.  Legislation states that Illinois is one of 11 states with a law that prohibits any regulation or ordinance that is specific to breed.  Yet state Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) said she believes home-rule communities such as Highland Park can legally ban a breed of dog, based on an informal opinion in a letter from the office of Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan.  The letter, addressed to the general counsel for the Department of Agriculture and dated March 16, 2007, states that under appropriate circumstances, "a home-rule unit is not prohibited ... from regulating or banning the keeping of specific breeds of animals."

This type of legislation is prejudice and devastating to families who have Pit Bulls as a part of their family.   I fear it will start precedence in Illinois that I have personally experienced watching tearful owners being relocated because of the economy, relinquishing their beloved Pit Bulls due to BSL in other parts of the country.  These Pits typically turn out to be terrific pets and were obviously cared for from the relinquishing family.  According to the study Which dogs bite? A case-control study of risk factors, Gershman, Sacks & Wright 1997 the predominant breeds that bite are:  Chow chows, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers and mixes of the these breeds.  These types of racial profiling against Pit Bulls makes me wonder if a Labrador had been involved in this particular instance, would a BSL against Labrador Retrievers be proposed.

On June 22^nd at 7:00 pm during the town’s counsel meeting when the BSL will be proposed there will be a rally out side of city hall, 1707 St. Johns Avenue. Highland Park, Illinois 60035.  I am asking Pit Bull owners to attend this rally to show this breed our support.  This will be a peaceful demonstration to simply show Mayor Belsky the number of people opposed to BSL.  I would also like to see a presence of Pit Bulls that are Ambassadors of the breed at this rally. 

I will be attending representing my animal behavior consulting business, Pet Perfection.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at christyb@petperfection-behavior.com