THE HUNTSVILLE ANIMAL SHLETER. THE CITY CLAIMED AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIERS ARE
GENETICALLY VICIOUS.
Pit Bull Terriers from the Historic Alabama Supreme Court Case (2002)
On August 30, 2002 the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed a Trial Court decision
that American Pit Bull Terriers are not vicious. The American Pit Bull Terriers were
born at the Huntsville Animal Shelter, after more than two years the Alabama
Supreme court gave them their freedom.
Reported by Attorney S. Zendorf
Huntsville Animal Control Shelter "did not lack any useful purpose" as required by the local ordinance. Huntsville v. Four Pit Bull
Puppies (Ala. 08-30-02), No. 1010459, unreported. The court determined that the puppies were not trained to fight and were not
vicious. In addition, it held that three women who wanted to adopt them had a right to intervene. The City of Huntsville claimed the
Pit Bull puppies were genetically dangerous, used expert witness testimony, and appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court after
the lower court rejected its arguments and evidence.
The Alabama Supreme Court granted the Washington Animal Foundation's petition to participate in the proceedings as Amicus
Curiae because the Foundation is an expert on canine genetics. The Foundation provided expert testimony to prove that Pit Bulls
and other breeds are not inherently genetically dangerous and must be trained to fight .
By S. Zendorf (Attorney at Law) Ohio
More on Alabama
http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/September2002/News060902/bsl.htm
