Pit bulls, pit bull-type dogs and all stray, lost, and abandoned dogs who are in the possession of South Bend Animal Care and Control (SBACC) deserve the chance for adoption. The city of South Bend currently prohibits the adoption or relocation to a rescue organization of certain breeds of dogs, including pit bulls. Certain breeds of dogs, including pit bulls, receive an automotic death sentence if they end up in the possession of SBACC. These dogs are euthanized within 48 hours of arriving at SBACC.
Many thriving cities in the United States have humane and reasonable policies which allow for adoption or relocation to rescue organizations of all non-dangerous dogs, including pit bulls. The city of South Bend's barbaric and primitive blanket policy of identifying a specific breed of dog for automatic euthanization is not representative of the city's desire to be a thriving community that attracts new residents.
The undersigned support a review of current SBACC policies and procedures and urge Mayor Pete Buttigieg and the South Bend Department of Code Enforcement to change any policies or procedures which mandate an automatic death sentence for certain breeds of dogs, including pit bulls.
