Pit bulls have a bad reputation, earned because people have been mauled in the past. Now, some Winnipeggers are now saying the city should lift its ban on the dogs, which was adopted 20 years ago.
Mosse, a two-year-old pit bull, is the Kolesar family's new pet. His owner says he didn't think twice about bringing a controversial breed into his home near Oakbank.
"He has proven himself with the kids—his name is now Moosey—and he has to go search out the monsters in the three-year-old's closet," says pit bull owner Steve Kolesar.
Kolesar is able to have a pit bull for a pet because he lives near Oakbank, but if he lived in Winnipeg it wouldn't be allowed. The city has had a ban on the breed since 1990.
Dog trainer Ashley Reid wants the ban lifted. She says the dogs are born the same as other breeds—they're not born fighters nor born to be aggressive.
She has started a Facebook campaign and a petition to take to City Hall.
"A lot of people were worried that we were going to lift the ban and have nothing to help the situation," Reid says. "Our goal is to lift the ban but also enforce better animal control."
The ban was put in place twenty years ago because a number of children were mauled by pit bulls. Today, one city councillor says overturning the ban is not something the city is considering.
"People with [bad intentions] in our community use the animal for purposes that are bad for our society," says councillor Gord Steeves.
However, supporters of the breed say responsible owners are suffering from the ban.
"It's the Michael Vicks out there who did nothing but tarnish the name of the dog," says Kolesar, referring to the football star who was convicted for organizing dog fights.
-with a report from CTV's Jillian Taylor
