Why I Support Ending Breed Specific Legislation In Prince George’s County

As a professional pet photographer based in Prince George’s County, the breed specific legislation that unjustly discriminates against pitbull-type dogs is something that I firmly believe needs to be repealed. Thankfully, Prince George’s Pet Unity Project (PGPUP) has brought forward CB-097 to end and improve pet safety laws which is up for the vote tomorrow (at time of writing)!

I began my journey into pet photography at the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, where I worked with a cadre of senior volunteers to update the intake photos to improve the adoptability of the animals. What started off as a mild fascination in the art of photography turned into a mission to save the lives of the bully breeds that - through no fault of their own - found themselves without a home.

Every Sunday, for two years, I photographed 50-70 dogs over the course of 10 hours, far below the intake rate of animals but it was all I could spare and the absolute fastest I could manage. These dogs weren’t randomly chosen, they often were on the “urgent list” - a list of animals at-risk of euthanisia. Looking through the thousands of photos I had taken at that time, there was a clear theme: well over 90% were pitbull-type dogs. 

In our web-based world the first impression potential adopters often have would be these photos. I endeavored not just to show what the dogs look like, but to capture their personality and energy in an image that could catch the eye of a would-be adopter. This mission kept me going for two years, knowing that my photos were the life-saving tool that these dogs needed.

But one day, I stopped. It wasn’t the soreness in my legs the day after 10 hours of squatting for the best angle or the many hours of editing the photos afterwards. It was the fact that I met so many wonderful dogs, had hope for their future, only to find out that the photo I took of them was the last one they’ll ever have. Over time this broke me.

But I wouldn’t quit on them because my heart was broken. I founded my business as part of a journey to increase my own capacity to help animals in need. I began teaching shelter staff how to take better intake photos, I support adoption events for Rescues, and I fundraise for nearby shelters who refuse to discriminate against any animal. 

At one of these rescues, I met Kiwi, or should I say, I met her again. I photographed Kiwi when she first came into the shelter. She was one of the happiest dogs I’ve ever met despite her circumstances. Her only hope was through a rescue and thankfully Vindicated Pitbull Rescue was able to take her out of Prince George’s County and eventually move her next door. Not only did Kiwi get her own Instagram because she really is that spoiled, but her photo also went on to win a bronze award at the International Pet Photography Awards in 2024.

Kiwi wasn’t the only award-winner, but her story is the best case scenario of the pitbull-type dogs that find themselves in PG County’s Animal Shelter. 

When I first met Dune, he was quiet and shy. He was a little unsure of his surroundings and definitely unsure of me as I was making squeaky sounds and pointing this strange camera at him. I can only imagine what the lens looks like to these dogs. Thankfully, I had plenty of experience working with pups like him at this point in my journey, so I was able to build up some trust fairly quickly by respecting his space and offering the occasional bribe of tasty treats.

Eventually, the hot day and calm environment allowed Dune to let his guard down and lay in the grass. Though not fully trusting of me, he allowed me to sit close to him as he watched my every movement. This resulted in another international award-winning image where his stunning gaze pierces straight into the viewer's heart.

This was likely the last photo ever taken of Dune. Not because he hurt anyone, he wouldn’t. Not because he was sick, he wasn’t. But because of systemic discrimination against those that look like him. He was but one of thousands of victims of the 30 year old ban.

Zooming out a bit, this ban doesn’t just bring wrongful death to bully breeds, it also has a very real opportunity cost. The reputation of Prince George’s County has blunted the pet industry, which has thrived in every county and city in the region except ours. 

When I am booking clients, they often request that we do not do our sessions in Prince George’s County, citing the breed ban. This isn’t just when they have a pitbull either, this happens across the board. Not being able to photograph in my own county forces me to travel, often across state-lines, to find a location to capture photos. It also limits my ability to photograph the senior animals who often must be photographed in a studio setting due to low mobility. Furthermore, it forces me to focus my services on-location or rent a studio which limits my revenue and makes my work highly seasonal. 

This antiquated ban means that these dogs cannot be adopted by residents of the community that the shelter serves.  Because potential adopters are most likely to search their own local communities and rescues, it is challenging to find enough out-of-county interest to serve the needs of these animals. Conversely, it is a terrible waste to have to turn away local residents who inquire about an adoptable dog but are not permitted to apply for it because of its appearance. This sense of waste is multiplied exponentially knowing that these are the very animals that are most at risk.

The legislation is harmful, unjust, and discriminates against a type of dog based on how they look. There is no evidence that bully breeds are any more dangerous than any other type of dog. Speaking only from my personal experience, I have worked with thousands of animals, many of them pitbulls. Like any other breed, the ones that I have met have had a wide range of personalities. Not all pitbulls are the same.  There is no single pitbull disposition and that is why there should not be a breed ban that singles them out.