Dade commissioners re-consider pitbull ban

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Miami-Dade County has prohibited pitbulls for 23 years, but lawmakers met Tuesday afternoon to reconsider the ban.

Those against the ban appeared at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center arguing that the law discriminates against one breed, and any dog has the potential to bite. "The biggest thing about lifting the band is that we just want people to understand that you can't blame an entire breed for a case-by-case basis by dogs," said Jaime Buehrle, " and that the owner should absolutely responsible for your dog."

Buehrle is the wife of a Miami Marlins pitcher, Mark Buehrle. She and her husband learned of the ban a month and a half ago when Mark Buehrle was traded to the Marlins. But one thing kept them from movie to the City of Miami, near the new Miami Marlins ballpark: their pitbull Slatter. "It wasn't even an option to leave him," she said. "People suggested leaving him for the season with someone. It's like leaving your kids with someone for six months. It just doesn't happen."

She appeared among those pitching to legalize pitbulls in Miami-Dade County. "They don't need legislation to band them," said another resident against the ban. "They need legislation to protect them."

Commissioner Barbara Jordan reminded people while the law was initially passed. "It passed because of the maliciousness of the attacks that had occurred," she said, "that were extremely frightening and dangerous that had not occurred only once but a number of times."

Some examples of such attacks have occurred in recent years, including one in 2005 that left a mail carrier bloodied while trying to do her rounds. In 2007, a little boy needed 25 stitches after he was bitten on his leg.

By the end of the meeting, commissioners decided to allow county voters to decide whether to overturn the ban. The referendum will appear on the Aug. 14 ballot.

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