Breed specific legislation (BSL)
is any government law, rule or regulation that applies only to certain breeds
of dogs, or discriminates against certain dogs based on their breeds. Such laws
usually target breeds that have a stereotype of being dangerous, such as
Rottweilers or "pit bulls." Pit bulls are actually three different
breeds: the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and
the Staffordshire bull terrier.
BSL
might require additional registration fees for certain breeds of dogs, requires
the dogs to be muzzled in public, or, as in most cases, completely forbids the
keeping of those dogs.
BSL
is based on stereotypes of certain dog breeds, and has nothing to do with
whether a particular dog is dangerous or vicious. Tests by the American
Temperament Testing Society show that collies, toy poodles, or beagles are all
more aggressive than the three "pit bull" breeds. These laws foster
irrational fears and lead to animals being abandoned.
BSL
fails to target the problem: bad dog owners, and has proven ineffective in
protecting public safety. Those who are causing the problems with their dogs
will not care about the law. Either these owners will continue to own the
breeds mentioned in the BSL or dump the dogs, get a new breed and continue the
cycle. Or, a restriction will make the breeds more attractive to those who get
a feeling of power by intentionally breaking the law. Some owners are simply
poorly educated and do not know what it takes to properly raise, train,
socialize and manage any dog. Owners who are intentionally bad or owners
who are undereducated and irresponsible are the problems that need to be
addressed. Also,
BSL
is tough to enforce, expensive and often very vague with their descriptions and
how to identify a dangerous dog.
Breeds
are targeted because of a lack of education. Legislators and the general
public do not take the time to learn the truth behind many breeds mentioned in
BSL. Instead, they believe hype and information from undereducated and
unreliable sources. The people creating the most problem with dogs are: those
using dogs as status symbols for the wrong reasons; undereducated owners who do
not realize the time it takes to properly raise any dog; those who
unintentionally allow undesired behaviors to grow and fail to address
them. How many people let tiny pups play tug of war with their hands or
feet? Are they aware that this actually teaches the pup it is good to bite
humans when playing? Children often unintentionally or intentionally do
things that can lead to a bite: teasing, inappropriate play, trying to pet
strange dogs, scaring dogs, etc. It looks better for lawmakers to ban a breed
than to target the true source of the problem with supposedly killer breeds:
often young, unsupervised, poorly raised kids or the irresponsible adult
looking for another status symbol. There is little personal accountability any
more. If something is being used for the bad, take it away from all as
opposed to targeting the source of the bad – the human. Any dog can be a problem. It is the
human that decides what the dog becomes – regardless of the breed.
People
opposed to BSL are trying to get legislators to address the root of the problem
without punishing the good. But legislators are often poorly educated
and/or use the wrong sources for their information. They go by what is printed
in the media and not reality. It looks better in the eyes of the undereducated
to blame the dog than the human.
So,
what can you do to stop BSL? When you hear of a BSL
anywhere, start writing letters, faxes, phone calls, emails, etc. In a calm,
rational and non-insulting manner, try to educate lawmakers about why BSL is
not the way to go when addressing dog issues. Push for laws that target
the owner regardless of the type of dog owned. Encourage them to create
leash laws and see they are enforced. Increase penalties for animal abuse,
cruelty and the use of animals as weapons. In many communities it is a
misdemeanor to neglect or abuse an animal. Lastly, encourage owners of
breeds not mentioned to become involved with the fight.
"Punish the deed,
not the breed." Each dog should be judged as an individual, regardless of
breed.
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