Your Calls Are Needed TODAY to Help MD Dogs!

Please let the Governor Know
YOU Care About Maryland's Dogs

On April 26, 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals issued a decision which has serious and far-reaching consequences for everyone in Maryland who deals with dogs.  In the case of Tracey v. Solesky.  The court ruled that in a dog attack involving a pit bull or a pit bull cross, the owner or other persons (including a landlord) who have the right to control a pit bull’s presence on a premises, is liable for damages caused by the dog.  Previous to this ruling a landlord could only be held liable if the landlord had a reason to believe that a dog was dangerous. 


This ruling effects dog owners, residential and commercial landlords, veterinarians, groomers, and pet stores.   Landlord associations are already advising landlords that they can’t afford the liability of having tenants with pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and dog owners are being pressured to give up well-tempered family dogs.   

The ruling sets a very dangerous precedent under which other dog breeds can be designated as inherently dangerous.  It discourages landlords from renting to families with pit bulls, pit bull mixes, or anything that anyone thinks looks like a pit bull.  Some landlords will decide it is easier and safer to ban all dogs from their residential and commercial properties. 

Please call Governor Martin O’Malley on TODAY, May 8
to urge him to support introduction of legislation during next week’s special session to provide a legislative remedy to the Court of Appeals ruling on pit bulls.  Dangerous dog legislation should be based on a dog’s behavior, not the dog’s breed.  We want to create an impression by overwhelming the phone lines at the Governor’s office on Tuesday but calls are needed any time this week.  You can also e-mail the Governor.  Be polite.  The Governor and his staff did not create this problem, and we need their support to solve it. 

Governor Martin O’Malley

410 974-3901


1 800 811-8336


Maryland Relay:  1 800 735-2258

http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/

Sample script/letter:
Dear Governor O'Malley:

Please put a legislative remedy to the pit-bull ruling on the agenda for the special session starting next week.  The consequences of this ruling are so dire that pit-bulls, their owners and landlords cannot wait until 2013.  We ask for your intervention now.

Sincerely. ________________(your name and address)
 


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