Registered: Jun 2003
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Posts: 20

Good news on this front. Here's a message from Dr. Al Stinson:

The report in the Detroit News on August 25, 2003 indicating that Senator Buzz Thomas intends to introduce a bill in the Michigan Legislature to ban the pit bull breeds has resulted in an outpouring of concern to his office. On September 4, I visited with his office staff to get an update on the progress of this proposed bill.. According to Sen. Thomas' staff, there is no bill in preparation or introduced at this time. The initial response to the news item has convinced Senator that a ban in not likely to pass, but he would like, possibly, to tighten up the regulations for owning the pit bull breeds.

His aide indicated that the Senator was very receptive for getting help from Michigan dog owners in formulating the provisions of the bill. When I reviewed the experience I have had in working with pit bill bans for a number of local units, my contacts with the dog industry in Michigan, and my academic
background in veterinary medicine and dog behavior, he promised that I would play a prominent role in working with his staff. His staff indicated that the Senator would prefer to work with Michigan breeders and owners rather than a flood of national interest groups getting involved.. It is a general rule that
legislators prefer to work with their their own constituents.

The process of drafting a bill and getting it ready for introduction takes time. It probably will not be ready for several months. My conclusion from my discussion with the staff member is that a ban of the breed is very unlikely and that the dog owners will have adequate input before the final draft is introduced. The meeting was cordial and a sincere willingness to work with us to help solve of the problems associated with dangerous dogs.

Al W. Stinson, D.V.M.
Director Legislative Affairs, Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs
Director Legislative Affairs, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation
Board of Directors, American Dog Owners Association
1915 Epley Rd.
Williamston, MI 48895
Phone: 517-655-5363: Fax: 517-655-5363
e-mail: LSFC2@aol.com

__________________
Cindy Cooke
VP, Dog Events
UKC

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