


A vicious dog attack on a 10-year-old boy in Maryland led to an appeals court decision in April declaring pit bulls and pit bull mixes "inherently dangerous" breeds. The decision makes pit bull owners -- and their landlords if they rent -- liable for any damage or injury their dogs cause. The ruling may be on hold, but this kind of "breed specific" ruling is always controversial, renewing the debate about whether some types of dogs are more dangerous than others. We explore this legally and emotionally complex issue.

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