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Proposed Bill Would Ban Pit Bulls In Michigan

LANSING (WWJ) - Legislation that would eventually ban pit bulls in Michigan is stirring up some heated debate.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Mike Davis, President of the National American Pit Bull Association, who said the bill is unfairly targeting one breed, when any breed is potentially dangerous.

"Your dog doesn't come home trained like Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin.  Just like a child, we have to teach our dogs how to sit and behave in public.  Hold the dog and the owner accountable, not a particular breed," he said.

Davis said the bill, which would ban breeding of pit bulls in Michigan and ownership entirely in ten years, is unenforceable.

"It's very unenforceable. If you look at what's going on Ecorse, they have a full ban, but yet they have incidences all the time. And, Waterford has a ban and yet they have two hundred incidences a year of those dogs coming into the city and they have to go to court to get them removed," Davis said.

The sponsor of the bill, State Representative Tim Bledsoe, a Democrat from Grosse Pointe, says pit bulls are a greater threat to the public safety than other breeds. The legislation was introduced in the state House this week.

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