2012 May 11 | Eye on Annapolis

Alexander Pyles tracks news from the State House

May 11, 2012 0

Republican, Democrat co-sponsor pit bull bill for special session

Del. Michael D. Smigiel (Photo: Maryland State Archives)

A court’s apparent sense of “breedism” has led to an extraordinarily rare legislative pairing.

As the fallout continues over a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that calls pit bulls inherently dangerous, two state delegates on polar opposite sides of the political spectrum are co-sponsoring legislation that would overturn the court’s ruling.

Del. Michael D. Smigiel, R-Upper Eastern Shore, and Del. Heather R. Mizeur, D-Montgomery, want the bill considered in the special legislative session set to begin Monday.

Del. Heather R. Mizeur (Photo: Maryland State Archives)

“A dog may not be presumed dangerous solely on the basis of the breed or heritage of the dog,” the bill states.

Del. Jon S. Cardin, D-Baltimore County, announced on his Facebook page that he also was sponsoring a bill that would respond to the pit bull ruling.

It appears unlikely that the legislation will receive a serious look from the House of Delegates, however. House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Anne Arundel, is not expected to put on the agenda anything more than the state’s fiscal 2013 budget.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s, has emphatically said that the budget would be the only issue discussed during the three day session, as has Gov. Martin O’Malley.