Proposed Michigan Pit Bull Ban Apparently DOA

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - Loving pets or vicious killers? An attempt to ban pit bull ownership in Michigan has apparently gone nowhere. A local lawmaker says that the breed is a threat to public safety, but his proposed bill won't even get a hearing, at least for now.

Democratic State Representative Tim Bledsoe of Grosse Pointe has an idea. He wants to ban all breeding of pit bulls. After four years, if this law was enacted, he would sterilize all of them. After ten years, he would order everybody in the State of Michigan that owns one to get rid of them. Failure to comply would get you 93 days in the slammer.

Now, this is not law yet. In fact, the chairperson of the committee that will get this legislation, Representative Hugh Crawford of Novi, a Republican, has already said this is dead on arrival.

If you're a Republican and you don't like government interference, this would be Exhibit A.

However, there are many people out there, frankly, who believe pit bulls are dangerous, and the news reports from time to time are replete with attacks that have involved these dogs.

But does this legislation go too far? The chairman of the committee says yes. The sponsor says no.

I think on this one the chairman's going to win.

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FOX 2 has covered a number of stories involving pit bulls, including a Let it Rip debate on the notion of on how dangerous the animals may or may not be.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH

What are your thoughts?  SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENT MODULE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

Proposed Bill # 4714:

HOUSE BILL No. 4714 June 7, 2011, Introduced by Rep. Bledsoe and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. A bill to regulate the ownership, possession, sale, and breeding of pit bulls; to prohibit the ownership or possession of a pit bull after a certain date; and to prescribe penalties.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "pit bull regulation and prohibition act".

Sec. 2. As used in this act, "pit bull" means any 1 of the following:

(a) An American pit bull terrier.

(b) An American Staffordshire bull terrier.

(c) A Staffordshire bull terrier.

(d) A dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any 1 or more of the breeds listed in subdivisions (a) to (c).

(e) A dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American kennel club or united kennel club for any 1 of the breeds listed in subdivisions (a) to (c).

Sec. 3. Beginning 1 year after the effective date of this act, a person shall not breed or sell a pit bull in this state.

Sec. 4. Beginning 4 years after the effective date of this act, a person shall not own or possess a pit bull that has not been sterilized.

Sec. 5. Beginning 10 years after the effective date of this act, a person shall not own or possess a pit bull.

Sec. 6. A person who violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days, community service for not more than 500 hours, or both. In addition, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $2,000.00 and shall order the person to pay the costs of prosecution.

More at: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28cekfjj55yfmqykvaj23qgg55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2011-HB-4714