Send an email to ask the Administrative Rules Committee asking them to immediately take action to change the wording of HB 2244 and HB 2241 so they include comprehensive ordinances for dangerous dogs. Pit bull advocates are fighting hard against any wording that will protect citizens. We want to ensure serious measure will be taken if a pit bull attacks. We want the wording of the bills amended before BSL is repealed by the House.

Dear Administrative Rules Committee,

I am writing to ask you to take action before HB 2244 and HB 2241 reach the Senate. I support National Pit Bull Victim Awareness (NPBVA) in their efforts to help victims of pit bull attacks and to bring attention to this issue.

At this time, 88 cities and towns in Missouri have bans or restrictions on pit bulls. These towns have worked hard to safeguard their residents despite relentless pressure from multi-million-dollar lobbies.

Among the cities and towns without bans, in the past 2 years there have been multiple brutal pit bull attacks in Kansas City, Missouri City, Joplin, St. Louis, St John, Normandy, Maplewood, Afton, Meramec, Carthage, Midland Township and Rivers Township, and more.

In 2018, a 13-month old girl was killed in Cape Giradeau Township, and in 2016 a man was killed by his pit bull in Spanish Lake. Please see the NPBVA database of attacks and deaths reported by the media since 2015 [https://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/attacks/pit-bull-attack-database].

The 2019 map of pit bull attacks clearly shows the extent of this horrendous issue [https://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/attacks/map-of-attacks-2019/] with 905 serious maimings and deaths in just one year. These are only the numbers reported by the media.

The supporters of the bills claim that non-breed specific dangerous dog ordinances are the answer — and yet Missouri does not have comprehensive dangerous dog ordinances. Current laws suggest only meager penalties and only after the second attack. Where is the dangerous dog law that you claim will protect public safety if BSL is eliminated?

HB 2244 and HB 2241 only provide half of what the proponents indicate is needed to ensure public safety. I am asking you to amend the bill to protect the public from all dangerous dogs, and not to repeal BSL until comprehensive and effective dangerous dog laws are on the book.

Please ask yourselves why pit bull advocates oppose criminal penalties for dog owners who in the first place are not taking reasonable measures to ensure that their dogs do not attack and harm someone. Pit bull advocates recognize that effective dangerous dog ordinances will punish pit bull owners. The best evidence that pit bulls are unsafe and the public best protected by BSL is their vehement opposition that pit bull advocates have for dangerous dog ordinances.

There are 88 cities and towns in Missouri that currently understand this. I hope you will support the extensive work they have done on behalf of public safety.