To: Governor Laura Kelly

Pit bull ban in Johnson county

Allow the pit bull to become e a legal breed in Kansas. Decriminalize the bull terrier.

Why is this important?

The bull terrier was once named America's nanny in the 50's and 60's. The idea that a certain breed can be blamed for the actions of its owners is an idea I see as inhumane and barbaric. The amount of pit bulls being put down in the Kansas, KCMO area is sky rocketing because these loving animals aren't raised in the homes of good families due to stereotypes and the law. Similar to the cycle of poverty the bull terrier is stuck in a cycle. When you make a breed illegal, you have destined them to end up in impoverished and more aggressive homes. If you remove the ban on the breed, you will see the number of pit bulls in shelters and euthanizations drop dramatically. The terrier will be able to thrive again much like they did in the 50's and 60's because the environment they are placed supports their best behavior. I have worked with pit bulls and own two myself. Everywhere we go people who aren't familiar with the breed seem to be shocked. To me, it's ridiculous how people can't see that humans have trained certain pit bulls to be dangerous, and encouraged bad behavior by not allowing it to be in the hands of good people. How unfair is that?