About Breeds

Breed Specific Legislation

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Breed specific legislation is an ill-guided attempt by communities to reduce serious problems such as dogs attacking people or livestock.  Unfortunately, there is no evidence that such legislation makes communities safer.  In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) decided not to support such legislation following a thorough study of human fatalities from dog bites.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) outlines the problems with breed specific legislation.

What’s Wrong with Breed-Specific Laws?

BSL carries a host of negative and wholly unintended consequences:

  • Dogs go into hiding
    Rather than give up their beloved pets, owners of highly regulated or banned breeds often attempt to avoid detection of their “outlaw” dogs by restricting outdoor exercise and socialization and forgoing licensing, microchipping and proper veterinary care, including spay/neuter surgery and essential vaccinations. Such actions have implications both for public safety and the health of these dogs.
  • Good owners and dogs are punished
    BSL also causes hardship to responsible owners of entirely friendly, properly supervised and well-socialized dogs who happen to fall within the regulated breed. Although these dog owners have done nothing to endanger the public, they are required to comply with local breed bans and regulations unless they are able to mount successful (and often costly) legal challenges.
  • They impart a false sense of security
    Breed-specific laws have a tendency to compromise rather than enhance public safety. When limited animal control resources are used to regulate or ban a certain breed of dog, without regard to behavior, the focus is shifted away from routine, effective enforcement of laws that have the best chance of making our communities safer: dog license laws, leash laws, animal fighting laws, anti-tethering laws, laws facilitating spaying and neutering and laws that require all owners to control their dogs, regardless of breed.
  • They may actually encourage ownership by irresponsible people
    If you outlaw a breed, then outlaws are attracted to that breed. Unfortunately some people take advantage of the “outlaw” status of their breed of choice to bolster their own self image as living outside of the rules of mainstream society. Ironically, the rise of Pit Bull ownership among gang members and others in the late 1980’s coincided with the first round of breed-specific legislation.

Breed specific legislation overlaps with existing laws that if enforced, already address the problem of dangerous dogs.  The CDC study found that reproductive status, socialization, and training were more powerfully correlated with problem dogs than was breed.  The ASPCA supports enforcement of breed-neutral laws that hold dog owners responsible for the actions of their pets.  Does your community favor or prohibit breed specific legislation?

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Avatar Of Jan Gomez

    Jan Gomez

    Mar 24, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Forgot to say, Sugar, also, gets her teeth brushed everyday, nails filed everyday- because, does not, like, a Nail cutter
    And brushed, hair, everyday– she gets done, before my morning clean up– Kind of love Sugar!!

  2. Avatar Of Jan Gomez

    Jan Gomez

    Mar 24, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Why not show, a Papillion?— I have – an 11 year old –She, has no clue her age, runs like lightning—- she was, a Show Dog— did not like the ring- got lots of ribbons, for beauty– but, did not like to show— too nervous
    I got Sugar, at 18 months— she is my special partner!
    She is also, in great health– Liver, kidneys and all perfect — I have a blood test every year— do not want to loose, my Baby!
    We go at least an our a day—- running– keeps us going— she barks at the door — If I do not get her going— also do in the Winter — only miss, when ice— nothing bothers her feet– must be touch from summer!
    Just, wants to go — she is only 6 1/2 lbs—–

  3. Avatar Of Blogging Bob

    Blogging Bob

    Mar 7, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Since I am a PitBull, living in Loudoun County Virginia, this is a very important article as far as I am concerned.
    I hope everyone will think a lot about how unfair life can be for certain dogs.
    Thanks,
    Bob
    Boy Bloginator and PitBull Reporter Extra Ordinary

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