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Should Michigan ban pit bulls?

A pit bull
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Bad Dog? One Michigan state lawmaker wants to ban pit bulls by 2021.

A metro-Detroit lawmaker has proposed a statewide ban on pit bulls.

The measure sponsored by Representative Timothy Bledsoe would make it illegal to own a pit bull in Michigan by 2021. He says he was approached about the measure by a woman from his district whose niece was mauled by a pit bull. 

“And this constituent persuaded me to take a careful look at this breed, which we did. We began to gather evidence and, ultimately, I became convinced that through selective breeding, these pit bulls have become a threat to public safety.”

           Bledsoe says his office has been flooded with calls from pit bull owners defending the breed. Bledsoe says he hopes his bill will get a committee hearing.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.
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