Pentagon bans pitbulls from Army barracks

The largest no-kill animal shelter in the country is asking President Obama to rescind a ban on pitbulls, and other breeds, from Army housing.

Earlier this year the Pentagon issued a memorandum ousting  any “aggressive or potentially aggressive breeds of dogs” including pit bulls (American Staffordshire bull terriers or English Staffordshire bull terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, chows, and wolf hybrids.

Best Friends Animal Society, which cares for the Michael Vick pitbulls and 1,700 other abused and abandoned animals near Kanab, Utah, is adamantly opposed to breed-discriminatory legislation.

“Our armed forces should target reckless owners, not a particular breed of dog,” says Best Friends attorney Ledy VanKavage.

The Air Force has also enacted a breed-discriminatory policy and the Navy is expected to do the same, the sanctuary says.

The recent government crackdown has already begun causing friction, separating families from their beloved dogs.

“President Obama should rescind the January 5, 2009 memorandum to support all members of our military families-two legged and four legged and to honor the memory of Stubby an American Pit Bull Terrier [awarded] the Silver Star and Purple Heart,” VanKavage says.

Lynn Lynde, a volunteer with Pit Bull Rescue Central, is married to a highly decorated war veteran who is currently serving in the U.S. Army.

She says soldiers contact her daily, appalled they cannot bring along their best friend, sometimes the only thing they have left.  Fed up with the new policy, some soldiers are also leaving the military because of the ruling.

“They are completely mortified that their country wants to repay them for their sacrifices by killing their dogs,” Lynde said.