How can people and animals be kept safe from vicious dogs? Some local and state officials have proposed banning them--particularly one breed, the pit bull.

But some animal rights groups sharply oppose breed-specific bans, arguing that such laws fail to address the real issue of irresponsible or uninformed owners and breeders.

Because of their actions, many pit bulls end up like this 3-month-old puppy--abandoned, lost or impounded in a Maryland shelter, awaiting adoption or, in many cases, euthanization.

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