Jesse Jensen and his pit bull mix dog, Lilo, took part in the Bully Walk on Saturday. (Adilene Rodriguez, Oil City)

CASPER, Wyo. — Karlee Vonsavoye, inspired by a recent pit bull ban proposal by a resident at a council meeting, organized the Casper Bully Walk in hopes of showcasing and celebrating the docile nature American bully dogs can be capable of.

“We’re trying to show people that there’s good and bad in every breed,” said Vonsavoye. “These dogs are just as lovable as a golden retriever.”

Armed with signs and dogs, the demonstration began roughly around 11 a.m. in the downtown area. Most of the participants were made aware of the meet up through the organization’s Facebook page.

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Although Vice Mayor Shawn Johnson confirmed earlier in the week that the city council has no intentions on passing a pit bull ban, Vonsavoye plans on holding the Bully Walk again next year to continue fighting the stigma often associated with the breed.

“[Bully Walk] is just a response to some uneducated opinions,” said Vonsavoye.

Ranging from mixed breed to full American bullies, owners shared similar stories of the bully dogs which inspired them to take part in the walk.

Makayla Mann and Jesse Jensen cited the constant reaction of uncertainty from strangers caused by the intimidating demeanor of Lilo, their 4-year old rottweiler and pit bull mix dog, as the reason why they joined their fellow demonstrators.

The couple rescued Lilo from an abusive home last November. According to the couple, when they first took her in, Lilo showed aggression toward other dogs, a fear of cars and had a bad case of separation anxiety. Now Jensen can do things like pick Lilo up in one quick swoop without a flinch, roughhouse with her and trust her with his 3-year old sister.

“As long as you give them love and attention, and you bond, they’re amazing,” said Mann. “And that goes with any dog.”

Jane Sutton was another participant at the Bully Walk. As an owner of pit bull mixes her entire life, Sutton’s message to people that continue to hold preconceptions against the breed was simple.

“Be educated and get over your fear,” said Sutton. “Every breed has certain things about them, kind of like humans, that are not necessarily pleasant and perhaps more dangerous than others.”

Sutton hopes that this is a phase American bully dogs can be overcome just as other breeds, such as German shepherds and rottweilers, have in the past. Sutton believes Casper is a place that can bring that change.

“I am so grateful to be in Casper with a pit bull,”’ said Sutton. “People are very open minded here and they recognize how gregarious and open-hearted these dogs are- maybe even more so than other breeds.”

Participants of the Bully Walk gather outside the Nicolaysen Museum. (Adilene Rodriguez, Oil City)

Participants of the Bully Walk gather outside the Nicolaysen Museum.(Adilene Rodriguez, Oil City)

A procession of dogs and their owners make their way to the Nicolaysen Museum on Saturday afternoon. (Adilene Rodriguez, Oil City)