KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City Chiefs player is defending pit bulls after a California attorney posted a video encouraging people not to adopt the breed.
The attorney, Kenneth A. Phillips, claims in the 30-second video pit bulls are dangerous, are to blame for deaths and suggests that people "Do Not Adopt a Pit bull."
SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL THAT SAYS "DO NOT ADOPT A PIT BULL" - Share this to help show that pit bulls are too dangerous to adopt! #DoNotAdopt, #DangerousDogs, #DogBiteLaw, #Dogs, #BSL, #BanTheBreed pic.twitter.com/ybNxkcI5M9
— Kenneth M. Phillips (@DogBiteLaw) January 19, 2018
Phillips, who represents dog bite victims, tweeted on Friday he won't pay the $5 million it would cost to air it on Super Bowl Sunday, but the video has already gone viral.
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than six million people had watched it.
"The fact that it is getting in front of a large audience is truly unfortunate and it’s spreading fear among citizens that this could be a bad dog to own, when that is the furthest thing from the truth that you can possibly imagine," Tori Fugate with the KC Pet Project said.
Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes chimed in as well, tweeting on Monday, "I love my dog #PitbullsForLife" referring to his own 2-year-old pitbull named "Steel."
I love my dog #PitbullsForLife https://t.co/plZ5pC0zxF
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes5) January 23, 2018
Mahomes' followers replied with their own pictures of their beloved pit bulls.
The KC Pet Project took the opportunity to point out there are pit bulls looking for a home. The breed makes up 25 percent of the shelter's dogs.
"They are very popular breed in Kansas City. We get a lot of them in here, but there are fewer homes available for them because of these restrictions," Fugate said.
Fugate is referring to breed-specific legislation that ban pit bulls in cities including Independence, KCK and Liberty.
In recent years, some cities have taken a second look at the law. Roeland Park repealed its ban in 2015 and Shawnee dropped it in 2016.
"Once they adopt one they're like 'oh my gosh, they're like cuddle bugs.' They make great family pets and play well with other dogs, you know. It's like any other breed," Fugate said.
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