Pit Bulls Get Reprieve

Virginia’s attorney general has issued a legal opinion that is sparing the lives of those condemned to die because of prejudice.

The beneficiaries are stray pit bulls, the Washington Post reports. Animal shelters in three northern Virginia counties have already revised their policies to permit adoptions of pit bulls deemed to be safe, and other counties are considering whether to follow suit.

The actions follow a nonbinding opinion (PDF) by Attorney General Robert McDonnell that said state law does not permit public shelters to kill dogs simply because of their breed.