Since we sent out the original alert announcing the Attorney General’s opinion stating that “publicly funded animal shelters or ‘pounds’ may not euthanize dogs based solely upon breed”, we’ve had requests to send out the actual opinion.

Here is a link to the opinion: http://www.oag.state.va.us/OPINIONS/2006opns/06-078_Alexander.pdf

We’ve heard from many of you who received our original alert and the response has been nearly unanimous that killing pit bulls and so-called “bully breeds” in shelters simply because of their breed is a sad state of affairs – even by those who felt compelled to do it because they saw no other option to protect the dogs from those who would misuse or mistreat them.

Most of you were in the “it’s-about-time-we-stopped-this-unfair-practice” camp, but four of you had concerns.

Two shelter employees worried about the dogs ending up in the hands of those who would harm them.  One writer opined that to raise public awareness of the AG opinion would lead opponents to a breed ban (suggesting that those with pit-bull-phobia would work hard towards developing one).  One Animal Control employee suggested that the alert cast blame on those in Animal Control; this couldn’t be further from the truth and underscores the propensity to think it’s always “us” and “them” and never “we”.

While these are sensible and profoundly human concerns, there is no concern that would justify the continued, categorical killing of pit bulls and pit bull mixes based solely upon their breed.

We will achieve our best outcomes if we concentrate on these and other concerns in such a way that we really direct our thinking to different solutions.  We’ve accepted killing as the status quo for so long that we’ve forgotten to be outraged by it and we’ve stopped looking for alternatives.  But we are caring, smart folks and we can start now. 

Why not explore a moratorium on the breeding, sale and transportation, even mandatory spay/neuter of pit bulls and bully breeds except for the “responsible breeders” defined in our releasing agencies bill?  Would it be hard to raise the standard for adopters of pit bulls and bully breeds at shelters?  Could volunteers do the home visits?  Are there other alternatives we can also consider?

The writer who raised the concern about inflaming the public to explore pit bull banning makes the fine point that we must be strategic in our efforts.  So, what are the alternatives that meet that measurement?  How do we avoid going down “the slippery slope” of BSL?  What are other approaches?  Surely there are many.

And who is willing to work with us on this? 

Until the General Assembly session is over, VVAW’s resources will understandably be focused on our already declared legislative initiatives.  However, at a minimum, we will also undertake to disseminate the AG opinion to leaders in counties and cities across Virginia.  What we do beyond that and what we are able to accomplish will depend upon the number of you from whom we hear declaring your commitment to positive change for pit bulls and pit bull mixes in the Commonwealth.

If this is an issue of importance to you, please let us know by responding to Board Member Debra Griggs at jasper550@cox.net

Lillian Clancy and Donald Marro and

Board of Directors, Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare/Virginians for Animal Welfare:

Peyton Coyner, Debra Griggs, Cindy Ingram, Kim Kincheloe, Mollie McCurdy, Pat Weakland