Four-month-old Tiana Munz and the family's Staffordshire bull terrier are "best friends," according to mom Janessa Munz.

Munz set up a Facebook page last week after hearing that a proposal to change the animal control bylaw might include breed-specific language, and within a week, more than 700 people had joined.

Munz would like the public to know that her Staffordshire bull terrier is not dangerous or aggressive - her four-month-old daughter loves the dog.

"They've become such great family dogs," Munz said about pit bulls, adding that "everyone considers their dogs family members."

Munz is planning to organize a walk in late summer in Maple Ridge with other pit bull owners to show how their dogs are just like any family pet - loved and cherished as part of the family.

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."

"It's a step in the wrong direction," said Fiona McQuillan-Onneken about the proposed changes. McQuillan-Onneken is also an owner of a pit bull cross and a baby girl, who also loves the family dog.

Munz said pit bulls are perceived as dangerous but many other breeds attack and bite as well. She would like offending owners and animals be targeted, not specific breeds.

Munz said she agrees that there should be strict rules for dogs that are aggressive and attack.

The suggestion that pit bulls should be muzzled also irks the two dog owners, saying that seeing a muzzle on their dogs would make people even more afraid of them.

mrantanen@mritmes.com