| Dogs are often referred to as being man's best | | | | a type of dog, not a breed. |
| friend, but the relationship between the two isn't | | | | There are several breeds that can be mistaken |
| always friendly. Historically, the news reported on | | | | for a pit bull and suffer the consequences |
| television and in the newspapers has been known | | | | regardless of their own deeds. Punish the deed, |
| to share horror stories about a dog attacking a | | | | not the breed is the best explanation for this. |
| human being. In response to these attacks, the | | | | According to the Endangered Breed Association, |
| government has tried to make their communities | | | | "Although BSL has focused on a few breeds such |
| feel safe by instituting different animal-related | | | | as pit bulls, Rottweilers, and chows, statistics |
| laws such as laws requiring leashes, licensing laws | | | | show that serious attacks have been inflicted by |
| and laws against organized dog fights. When these | | | | a variety of dog breeds, including many which |
| laws failed to reduce dog attacks, the | | | | have not been subject to BSL. |
| government proposed what is referred to as | | | | In addition, opponents of BSL have pointed out |
| "breed specific legislation" - which is defined by the | | | | that those in charge of law enforcement do not |
| American Kennel Club as a statute or regulation | | | | always accurately identify breeds, and that the |
| that is directed towards one or more specific | | | | imposition of penalties on dogs and their owners |
| breed of dogs. | | | | merely as a result of breed identification can be |
| These laws focus mainly on breeds that have | | | | unjust and arbitrary." A serious concern in |
| traditionally been labeled as dangerous. Breed | | | | communities is organized dog fighting and criminals |
| specific legislation (BSL) is an ineffective way to | | | | who use dogs for illegal purposes. The |
| deal with this ongoing problem and should not be | | | | government thought the easiest way to solve |
| allowed. Breed specific legislation started in the | | | | this problem was to ban pit bulls and rottweilers |
| 1980's as a response to an increase of | | | | which are often the breeds that are the victim of |
| dog-related fatalities and attacks. These laws are | | | | these crimes. |
| often the government's way of showing its | | | | Statistics have shown that criminals simply switch |
| community that it has taken some sort of action | | | | to a breed that is not banned and the problems |
| regarding a current problem. | | | | remains. Most BSL aims to ban large breed dogs |
| From various states, including New Mexico and | | | | such as shepherds, pit bulls or rottweilers. But |
| Florida, these laws range from banning the | | | | according to Pit Bull Rescue Central, it is these |
| breeding (or otherwise acquiring a particular breed | | | | large breed dogs that are best suited for jobs in |
| altogether) to giving the officials the authority to | | | | the service industry that assist humans such as |
| seize and euthanize said breed if discovered. | | | | therapy dogs, assisting a handicapped person, |
| Depending on the actual laws in place, each state | | | | search and rescue, and police dogs. It is inhumane |
| has experienced a wide range of results. | | | | to rely on these animals to work with and love us |
| Denver, for example, claims its breed specific | | | | and then demand the entire breed be euthanized |
| legislation has dramatically reduced dog attacks. | | | | without cause. |
| After four years of enforcing their BSL, Iowa | | | | BSL does not allow for exceptions of working |
| alleges that their dog attacks decreased from 29 | | | | dogs but instead targets all dogs of a certain |
| in 2004 to no attacks in 2008. Not all states find | | | | breed- regardless of temperament or behavior. It |
| that these laws are noticeably effective, however. | | | | is unethical and arbitrary to euthanize an animal |
| Germany, Italy and Holland have all repealed their | | | | based solely on their breed's reputation which is |
| BSL after being faced with studies and statistics | | | | why BSL is opposed by the American Veterinary |
| that proved that BSL did not lower the rate of | | | | Medical Association, American Kennel Club, ASPCA |
| dog -related attacks and that the dogs involved in | | | | and the Humane Society of the United States, as |
| the attacks were not the ones listen in the ban. | | | | well as many other prominent animal welfare |
| The U.S. courts are constantly faced with | | | | associations. These organizations do not ignore the |
| communities proposing the repealing of BSL citing | | | | problem of aggressive dogs but stress that BSL |
| these laws as unconstitutional. It is undeniable that | | | | does not solve the problem. Any dog regardless |
| there are aggressive and dangerous dogs in our | | | | of breed can be considered dangerous and attack |
| communities. These dogs (as well as their owners) | | | | a human. These organizations recommend laws |
| must be controlled and punished on a | | | | that affect the root of the problem- irresponsible |
| case-by-case basis, but BSL does not allow that. | | | | owners. |
| There are several reasons that BSL does not | | | | Appropriate laws would instruct owners with |
| work and is not enforceable. Behavior problems | | | | aggressive dogs as well as punish the owner |
| exhibited by a dog are the owners' responsibility | | | | when these laws are broken. Laws known as |
| and are not limited to large breeds only. | | | | generic vicious dog laws call for a known |
| Irresponsible owners lead to irresponsible and out | | | | aggressive animal to be muzzled when off his |
| of control dogs - regardless of size or breed. The | | | | own property, kenneled in a escape proof |
| flaw with statistics about dog attacks is there isn't | | | | confinement when outside on his property and to |
| a reliable way to prove that the breeds that were | | | | never be allowed off leash, as well a requirement |
| involved in the attacks are now the breeds that | | | | that the owner purchase a liability insurance policy. |
| are being banned. There are critical details that | | | | The AKC as well the ASPCA also offers classes |
| should be investigated when a dog attacks a | | | | and seminars to educate owners and help them |
| human being, but they are often mistakenly | | | | become responsible dog owners. San Francisco |
| ignored and considered unimportant. | | | | has had great success with their animal related |
| Some examples of the important facts that can | | | | laws- specifically requiring all animals to be spayed |
| affect an animal is whether or not an animal is | | | | or neutered. This law has not only decreased the |
| spayed/neutered, how much time has passed | | | | percentage of animals in shelters but is effective |
| since they were last fed, whether they have | | | | because an unneutered dog of any breed is twice |
| been tethered or chained outside for long periods | | | | as likely to bite as a neutered dog. All these |
| of time, their past exposure to social interactions | | | | alternatives allow each dog and owner to be |
| with humans, and how much care they are shown | | | | judged by their deeds and not their reputation. |
| by their caretakers. These details are the direct | | | | Every year studies and statistics continue to |
| responsibility of a dog owner and are clearly within | | | | prove the ineffectiveness of breed specific |
| the owners' control. Like racism in humans, certain | | | | legislation. As long as these laws are enforced, |
| breeds of dogs (usually large dogs) are riddled | | | | responsible dog owners will continue to suffer the |
| with negative stereotypes that the American | | | | consequences of irresponsible owners as well as |
| public instantly associates with them. Breeds and | | | | countless dogs arbitrarily losing their lives through |
| mixed dogs can be hard to identify. As a result, | | | | no fault of their own. Breed specific legislation is |
| innocent dogs are being euthanized as a result of | | | | ineffective and should not be allowed. |
| stereotyping and paranoia. For example, "pit bull" is | | | | |