Janessa Munz just wants to take her dog for a walk in the park - and she's inviting other people from Maple Ridge to join her to stand up against a proposed bylaw to classify her pit bull as a dangerous animal.

The walk, being planned for Sunday, Sept. 30, at Memorial Peace Park at noon, will take place at the same time as similar walks across the province.

Munz said the walk is not a protest, but she and other dog owners want show that they have a right to own pit bulls.

"We're taking our dogs for a walk to show the public our dogs deserve to be here," Munz said.

Munz said she understands why some people want a ban, and she respects them and their opinions.

However, she wants to make her opinion known, as a pit bull owner, that the breed can make good family pets.

Organizers of the walk have sent letters to Maple Ridge council, Munz said.

"We would love to see them come out," Munz said.

The proposed changes to the bylaw suggest that certain breeds of dog should be classified as "aggressive" dogs, specifically, pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and American pit bull terriers.

The staff report noted that, while the SPCA and the District of Maple Ridge receive complaints about all types of breeds, "There is significant public discussion and fear of pit bull terriers and substantially similar dogs."

The animal control bylaw is scheduled to be before council again on Oct. 15.

The walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Memorial Peace Park, meeting and leaving from the bandstand at noon.

Munz said dogs of all breeds are welcome to take part.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com