Expert: Robin Flynn - 4/24/2007

Question
I currently live in Charles County in Maryland and Pitbulls are not illegal in this county and I own 2 pitbulls.  However in the community that I have been living in for the past year with the pitbulls the Homeowner's Association sent a letter stating that we can't have our dogs in our community.  Just a little background info...we have a backyard that is fenced in, we don't walk the dogs in the neighborhood, they are NOT vicious animals, they very rarely bark and they have never caused any problems.  For the most part they stay in the house we let them out during the day for a couple hours to get exercise.  My question is do you know what my rights areas far as keeping my dogs or can you direct me to someone who would know?  I do not want to give them up.  Pleas help!!!

Answer
Hi Renee,

Sharing a home with a pit-bull today can be very scary considering that the legal system is actually banning these dogs. I am sorry that you are faced with this situation. I am not an attorney but I would assume if this breed is not illegal in your county then the condo association can not discriminate against one breed. They may be able to change the bylaws to read “no dogs allowed”  but how would that fly with all the other dogs owners? I don’t want to give you incorrect information. However, My research keeps pointing to the name Adrianne Lefowitz. I think she is your best bet for information. Her contact information is below.


Article about pitbulls in Maryland Greenbelt group fights to overturn county pit bull ban
http://www.gazette.net/stories/022306/collnew200947_31952.shtml

Animal Fanciers of Prince George's County
Adrianne Lefkowitz
Euniverz@aol.com

Maryland Dog Federation
http://www.marylanddogfederation.com/
Adrianne Lefkowitz, President
Euniverz@aol.com
301-779-2422

Other sites:
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/legislation.php

http://www.aldf.org/resources/resources.php?pid=7&tpid=5#diy

Good Luck.

For the animals,
Robin