Ernest Dempsey — No more breedist killings, no more bloodshed of pit bulls, as the state of Ohio has officially ended the breed-specific legislation that declared all pit bulls and dogs resembling them as dangerous.The news was shared by Life with Dogs on Tuesday, telling that Ohio’s Governor John Kasich has signed the Bill HB 14 whereby dogs won’t be judged as dangerous or vicious on the basis of their breed or appearance. After 25 years of killing, persecution, and hatred, pit bulls are finally free in the state of Ohio.
The landmark reform in law was made possible by the efforts of those thousands of individuals and numerous animal rights groups that worked tirelessly for redeeming pit bulls from the dark, antiquated breed-specific law. With all others, the petition on Change.org, initiated by Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates President Jean Keating, deserves special credit with close to 9000 signatures calling for passing HB 14.
It’s a moment of celebration for all dog lovers, animal rights advocates, and all those who believe in reason over prejudice. No doubt the pit bull owners and wanna-be owners will be enjoying the bliss and hugging their pit babies in joy. What we all do need to remember, however, is that a number of pit bulls are still in danger as we see on the facebook page created for death-row Ohio dogs.
With Ohio’s abolishing the despotic breedist law, we now have an example for other American states to follow.
