A proposed revision of animal control laws would strike balance between ending the ban and empowering officers to declare dogs of any breed "potentially dangerous."

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A Prince George's County's Council committee has taken a step toward dropping the county's controversial 22-year ban on keeping pit bull-type dogs in the county.

As amended, a proposed sweeping revision of the county's animal control laws would strike a balance between removing the ban and giving animal control officers more power to declare dogs of any breed "potentially dangerous."

The Council's Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee voted unanimously Oct. 10, to amend the ordinance to eliminate the breed ban.

Before the vote, Council Member Mel Franklin said many of his constituents support the ban despite complaints of uneven enforcement.

"I've talked to a lot of residents. The overwhelming majority of them feel safer with the ban in place. Between 1996 and 2010 there was about a 45 percent reduction in dog bites, including a significant reduction in pit bull bites," Franklin said, citing statistic from the Prince George's County Health Department.

Council Member Daneille Glaros argued that any dog can be a threat.

"We might see more animal bites." Glaros said. "For instance, if there are more pit bulls in our community, that could happen. But the reality is, there are also other dangerous dogs out there, and it's not necessarily specific to a particular breed."

Many pit bull owners say the dogs are sweet, loyal and gentle pets when properly raised and trained.



But medical studies conclude pit bulls are involved in more attacks than other breeds, and when they do bite, they do more damage.