Mother plans rally at Georgia Capitol to ban pit bulls

GEORGIA -- A Fulton County mother plans to rally at the state Capitol Tuesday morning, in favor of legislation to ban pit bulls.

In April 2012, Angela Rutledge's pit bull terrier mauled her 2-year-old son Beau to death.

After his death, she researched and determined pit bulls are a dangerous breed.

Rutledge said she had the dog for eight years.  She said there was never any indication the dog was a threat.

"You hear about dogs fighting, and you hear this dog is an aggressive breed, but a lot of people, me included, are like, 'Well no, I've had this dog since she was a baby, She's a sweetheart,’" Rutledge said.

Rutledge said if an outright ban doesn't happen, there should be tighter restrictions for the breed.

The rally is set for Tuesday at the State Capitol on the Washington Street steps from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

She will be joined by Jeff Borchardt of Wisconsin.  He founded Daxton’s Friends for Canine Education and Awareness and was the father of a 14-month-old who was killed by pit bulls.

Dax Borchardt

Rutledge founded the website babybeaufoundation.org.

(WSBTV - Feb. 18, 2014)