Stop the ban on Pit Bulls in Sugar Hill, GA (Gwinnett County)

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of the State of Georgia. While recognizing the concerns of Governor Sonny Perdue, Sugar Hill Mayor, Gary Pirkle and the City Council of Sugar Hill, we are extremely alarmed regarding the pit bull ordinances that are being proposed, which would have a negative impact on responsible, law-abiding dog owners. These ordinances would have an impact on not only City of Sugar Hill and Georgia citizens, but also those who choose to visit Georgia to show their dogs in legal events, to do business in the community, or to visit family and friends. Following are listed our specific concerns.


(1) Available data indicates that a dog of ANY breed can bite. Studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association conclude that there is NO reliable data identifying biting dogs by breed.

As well, the American Temperament Test Society has available results of dogs tested by them. As of December 2002, the following results were found:

(Number of dogs tested) [Percent of dogs passed]

American Pit Bull Terrier (405) [83.2\%]

American Staffordshire Terrier (437) [82.6\%]

Golden Retriever (612) [82.5\%]

Labrador Retriever (597) [90.6\%]

Shetland Sheepdog (426) [66.2\%]

Collie (722) [78.8\%]

This can be verified with the A.T.T.S. by calling them at (314)869-6103 or on the web at www.atts.org.


(2) The term pitbull is not a breed nor is it recognized by reputable breed organizations or kennel clubs. Pitbull is a variety of breed that describes American Pit Bull Terriers and mixes, American Staffordshire Terriers and mixes, and Staffordshire Terriers and mixes, and is often mistakenly used to describe other similar breeds (such as bull terriers and American bulldogs). It is very difficult or impossible to tell these breeds apart and, as a result, it is impossible to fairly enforce the proposed ordinances.

(3) Cities that have tried to solve their dangerous dog problem by restricting or banning breeds have discovered that such laws do not work. Recently, Cincinnati, OH has repealed its ban on specific breeds and Baltimore, MD has removed all breed specific references from its ordinance, and PA prohibits any BSL.

(4) There is no reliable method by which to scientifically determine the breed of a dog. It is impossible to determine whether a mixed breed dog is 50\% of any particular breed. To require the owner of a mixed breed dog to prove that the dog is NOT 50\% of a targeted breed places an impossible burden on that citizen. The question of constitutionality comes into play here.

(5) The majority of the owners of targeted breeds are responsible, law-abiding citizens. The proposed ordinances unfairly brand these people as unreliable and irresponsible, solely because they own a targeted breed. Again, there is a question regarding the rights of citizens in regard to personal property. Additionally, we believe the irresponsible owners that are the real source of breed related concern will not be affected, as they will continue to own the dogs illegally or will create other, more dangerous breeds.

(6) It is the consensus of knowledgeable dog experts (as reported in the JAVMA article, "A Community Solution to the Dog Bite Problem") that targeting the owners and the specific dangerous dog, not breeds of dogs, is the key to addressing the dog bite and "dangerous dog" problems.

(7) It takes a large amount of funding for these ordinance provisions requiring the training, testing, and property examination. Passing laws that cannot be enforced increases citizen cynicism regarding effective government.

In summary, the proposed ordinances are unfair, costly to taxpayers to enforce, time consuming to enforce

For more information concerning Pit Bulls read here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/10/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main514774.shtml
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/myths.cfm
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/legislation.html
http://pitbulls.jentown.com/BSL/breedspecificlegislation.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_Bull


As a Pit Bull owner, and friend to many other Pit Bulls that this is an outrage. The Sugar Hill City Council and the State of Georgia have the mistaken impression that Pit Bulls are dangerous animals. This impression is from the many dogs that are used in dog fights (Vick's Kennels), and the many that are abused, and are made mean by humans. This paints a very bleak future for the wonderful and very loving animal. We must stop politicians from banning these animals simply because of their breed. If you have not owned one (made them a part of your family) then you would not know what loving animals they can be. I rescued a pit bull about 5 years ago and welcomed him into our family; my 19 month old son loves him. He would never hurt anyone and does not have an aggressive bone in his body. It is all in how they are raised.


By signing this petition you are saying that you are tired of all the bad publicity that the Pit Bull breed receives only because of their breed.


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The Sugar Hill City Council is considering banning pit bulls from public property.

The ordinance would prohibit the dogs, including mixed breeds, from going to public parks or government property within the city limits. Violators would be fined anywhere from $200 to $1,000.

The council could vote on the proposal as early as Feb. 11, 2008 - 7pm

So please keep this from happening because they are making a big mistake.