Community Counters Oak Brook Woman's Suggested Pit Bull Ban With Photos of Their Dogs

Last week, Oak Brook resident Maria Flynn appeared before the Oak Brook Village Board and presented four pages of facts and statistics about the dangers of pit bulls and Rottweilers.

She then proposed a village-wide ban on the two breeds, but refused to answer any questions about her case.

Mixed responses from the community brought both support for Flynn's case and furious responses to the proposed ban.

Facebook users took to the internet to prove to Flynn just how "dangerous" their pit bulls and Rottweilers are. Their photos are reposted below.

Other social media users quoted pediatricians' statements and veterinary studies about the dangers of the breeds — especially to children — and posted photos and statistics of pit bull attacks in the recent past.

One photo depicted an infant with their arms around a pet pit bull's neck. Text on the photo read, "On June 4, 2016, this pit bull mauled a 7-year-old boy to death. They thought this was a pet. Don't make the same mistake."

Others countered those claims with facts about their own dogs.

"My Maltese is more dangerous than my pit bull," one Facebook user wrote. "Banning an entire breed of dogs is irresponsible."

These are some of the photos Downers Grove Facebook users posted to prove their dogs aren't among the dangerous:

1. Molly, Susan Bean's pit mix:

"My dog is the best dog in the world and would never hurt a human being," Bean said. "She loves people."

Bean said in a Facebook comment she took Molly to the vet for a checkup after rescuing her and was told by the doctor that "all pit mixes are crazy" after Molly shied away from shots while being muzzled and held down by vet assistants. "Another lady walked up to Molly and called her a bad dog," she said of the experience.

2. Valerie Kathleen Gannon's sleepy pup:

"Dogbite.org has an agenda, period," Gannon said on Facebook. "There have been no reported attacks. [Flynn is] not looking out for anyone. Here's my not vicious pit bull."

3. Diesel, Linsey Oberlin's 1-and-a-half year old pit bull:

"Nonsense," Oberlin said on Facebook of Flynn's allegations. "They are such big sweet babies."

4. Will Adkins' Dixie.

Will Adkins posted several photos of his dogs, all snuggling on his couch.

5. Becca Habel's backseat companion.

"Our dogs are lovers, not fighters," Habel said on Facebook. "It's all how you raise a dog."

6. Odin, 4-year-old Blake's best friend.

"Terrible," Lauren Aramburu said on Facebook. "Trusted our pit from day one with our daughter."

7. Elmo, Scott and Amy Pilafas' pit bull mix.

"Love my pit bully mix," Scott said on Facebook. "He is a fabulous family dog."

8. Ashley Gerardot's pit bull.

"Such a beast," she wrote.