Protesters force tabling of pit bull ban

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A Broward, Fla., County commissioner said she withdrew her proposal to ban pit bulls after hundreds of supporters of the breed protested her effort.

Pit bull lovers rallied Tuesday in front of the county's government center, holding signs, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. Hundreds sent emails to county officials and some even hired an airplane to fly around the county with a banner opposing the ban.

One man said pit bulls helped him overcome the emotional trauma of being sexually abused as a child.

"You can't take that away from me," said the man, whose name was not reported.

Randa Kunde, a supporter of the proposal, showed up to the demonstration saying her husband had been bitten by a pit bull two years ago while trying to protect their terrier.

"It only takes one child to have their face bit and they're scarred for life," Kunde said.

County Commissioner Barbara Sharief said she withdrew her proposal after the show of support for pit bulls and agreed to work with animal experts to help keep residents stay safe from all animals.

Marni Bellavia, of the Humane Society of Broward, said she supports tabling the proposed ban.

"Any dog can bite," she said. "It doesn't matter what the breed is. We are against discriminating against any one breed. At the end of the day, it's discrimination any way you slice it."