Dog owners from across the state, including Springfield and Westfield, yesterday told legislators to scrap a proposed ban on pit bull terriers, saying it would be both discriminatory and nearly impossible to enforce.
Lawmakers are considering a possible statewide ban on pit bulls as part of an effort to give cities and towns more control over potentially dangerous dogs.
Tina M. Hebert, of Westfield, who owns three American Staffordshire Terriers, a type of pit bull, said the breed is outgoing, intelligent and friendly. Hebert said a ban on pit bulls or any other type of dog would be unfair to responsible owners.
"They are an excellent breed to own with children," said Hebert, who has three children, ages 2, 4 and 15.
"To single out one breed is wrong," she said. "Every breed has the potential to do damage in the hands of an irresponsible owner."
Hebert, a dog groomer, was among some 150 people who attended a hearing of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government yesterday at the Statehouse. The committee held a six-hour hearing on numerous bills to regulate dogs and cats.
Rep. Vincent A. Pedone, a Worcester Democrat and co-chairman of the committee, said pit bulls can be more aggressive and dangerous than other breeds. Pedone said the committee is likely to approve a comprehensive bill that might call for outlawing pit bulls in Massachusetts.
"This breed was designed for its physical strength and its absolute tenacity," Pedone said during a break in yesterday's hearing. "They are bigger and stronger. When they do attack, these attacks have a high probability of being much more damaging."
Many pit bull owners at the hearing said they supported a bill by Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, that would establish statewide standards for communities to declare any dog as "potentially dangerous" or "vicious." Under the bill, communities would not be allowed to regulate specific breeds.
Judy A. Goodale of Springfield, owner of "Buster," a 5-year-old pit bull terrier, said many breeds are involved in attacks, not just pit bulls.