A September 17 Capital article describes the increase in pit bulls being taken to animal shelters in light of a recent Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that found purebred pit bulls to be “inherently dangerous” and making owners and land lords automatically liable for injuries caused by the dogs.  As previously reported on Conduit Street, the General Assembly failed to reach a consensus on addressing the issue during the August Special Session.

More pit bulls are being surrendered to shelters since a Maryland court ruled the purebred dogs “inherently dangerous” and decided not only dog owners but property owners are now liable for pit bull related incidents.

The shelters, meanwhile, are struggling to find people to adopt the dogs.

The article also discusses the challenges land lords and owners face in determining whether a dog is a purebreed pit bull, including the use of DNA testing.

Determining a dog’s breed is “not a job that should be left in the hands of property owners,” which is what the ruling does, [Humane Society of the United States Director of Pet Care Issues KC] Theisen said.  …

“Pit bull is a generic term applied to dogs of many different heritages,” she said. “There really is no such thing as a true pit bull.”