Banned Pit Bull Service Dog Reunites with Retired Cop

I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when I read in Dogster that a Pit Bull mix service dog was banned from Aurelia, Iowa. Jim Saks, a retired cop, and his wife moved there in November to help take care of her mother. Initially, the city government, decided that they would make no exceptions for service dogs. A ban on all Pit Bulls has been in place since 2008. Snickers was no longer welcome in Aurelia and would be euthanized if he stayed. It didn’t matter that Snickers’s only history was that of a friendly, extremely helpful dog that never left Sak’s side since his stroke three years ago. Saks, visibly shaken and disturbed, acted quickly to save Snicker’s life. He brought him to a nearby town, where he was welcome, and temporarily boarded him at a veterinary facility and then a foster home, to save his dog’s life.

Buying himself time worked in his favor, at least temporarily. Saks (who fell at least once without Snickers by his side) filed a federal lawsuit, knowing that the American with Disabilities Act allows people with disabilities a right to any breed of service dogs. According to CBS Chicago, a Federal judge ruled that Snickers could be returned to Saks and allowed to live in Aurelia, at least temporarily. The city could however counter sue. The Saks’s are now looking to ensure that Snickers can remain with them forever and the Animal Farm Foundation is assisting them with their case.

On National Pit Bull Awareness Day, I posted about the negative stigma associated with Pit Bulls, often due to a disproportionate amount of press. Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BADRAP) has been educating the public with their monster myths. In a recent study of 122 dog breeds, by the American Temperament Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9. That even passes Golden Retrievers and Beagles, according to BADRAP.

In my opinion, saying that all Pit Bulls have aggression issues is no more accurate than saying all people of any color, sex, sexual orientation, size, etc. are dangerous. My hope is that Snickers will be allowed to stay in Aurelia and that the town eliminates their ban on Pit Bulls.

What do you think? Should Snickers be allowed to live in Aurelia, Iowa with Saks? Should Pit Bulls be banned in any communities? Thanks for voting in our poll below and posting your comment.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dianne Lynn E.

8:28AM PDT on May 18, 2012

thanx

send a green star

Despina V.

4:05AM PST on Mar 5, 2012

noted

Amy B.

2:12AM PST on Mar 4, 2012

I have a LabPit and she is the sweetest most loveable dog I have ever known. Training and love are what make a dog. Terrible or uninformed dog owners are to blame for incidents. My baby does love to chade a cat, but never ever hurts them, and she loves humans so much biting them never crosses her mind. These dogs are extremely smart and trainable. Service would be a great job. Mine is an excellent tracker. Hey even Ceaser Milan uses his pit to train other dogs.

Peter B.

2:52PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

I have a Dobermann called Ilara anf many Time, specialy from the Year 2006 i have too mutch Problems whit her in Switzerland
Now from 3 Years we have in Switzerland we a special List with the "13 dangerous Dogs", In this List stây Dogs wy Pitbulls, American Staffordshire, Dogo Argentino, Rotteiler and also my Dobermann and other Races of dangerous Dogs more! And all this only for a Politic Swiss Women. This Women dont Like Dogs and she make whit 60 % of all Politics in the Government of Switzerlanf this "Special Likst" I call this Rassism for the Dogs.
Peter Blattner of Praden in Switzerland 29.02.2012 - I say: Freedom for all Swiss List Dogs!!!

Amanda G.

10:51AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

thanks

Waltraud U.

8:04AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Thank you !

Leslie G.

2:24AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

I feel terrible that Pit Bulls are being banned all over the place. It is a shame to see this happening. Any dog could be dangerous and I am sick of the discrimination against Pit Bulls. I feel it is the handlers/owners of this breed in particular some of which train them to be in dog fights for example to be a lot more dangerous than the breed itself. Pit Bulls are a very loving breed. They make wonderful pets and are great around children. I say they should not ban Pit Bulls anywhere. Snickers should live with his owners, that is where he belongs.

Past Member .

10:24AM PST on Feb 15, 2012

I remember seeing a fwd email that they used to think in 70s, this specific breed was mean, 80s this specific breed was mean, 90s, and so on. Now pitbull. Come on! Give us all free dog training classes, you will see how sweet they are. Owners including me, don't know how to do it like dog whisperer do.

Suki S.

4:24PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
$5 MILLION REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF CORRUPT MAYOR ROBERT E WALKUP FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE CONSPIRACY IN THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF SUKI ON 1/5/2011 IN TUCSON AZ.
PLEASE CALL MAYORS OFFICE AND TELL THEM TO STOP KIDNAPPING AND KILLING DOGS!! 520-791-4201
EMAIL; MAYOR1@TUCSONAZ.GOV
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Rebecca C.

5:57AM PST on Feb 9, 2012

this makes me sick to read that they can ban a breed of dog just because it is a pit bull. I have had and still have a pit bull mix, and she is the most lovable, loyal, and obedient dog I have ever had. They are very quick to learn and always want to please...yet as humans, we can't discriminate against other ethic groups and ban them from towns just because they are what they are....what gives us the right to allow this? There are humans that are much more dangerous and yet we have to just live with it!!!! It disgusts me to have them punished for just being a pit bull.....an eye for an eye!!!