What if citizens began to question a particular race of humans, because a few individuals of a certain background are featured on the news for kidnapping, murder, or assault? What if they began taking the few situations too far, and decided to ban this specific race? It’s completely disrespectful and immoral. No one should judge based on appearance, myths, rumors, or only a small number of stories. However, in our society today, much of that discrimination is displayed so unfairly. So, banning a breed of dog would be like banning a race of humans. Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), is any law, ordinance or policy which pertains to a specific dog breed or breeds, but does not effect any other. It is in response to a certain amount of well-publicized incidents involving Pit Bull resembling dogs. The first Breed Specific Legislation was placed in the United Kingdom as the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and then Ontario, a Canadian province, became the first to ban Pit Bull type dogs. BSL has been enacted in the U.S, Italy, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the UK (BSL Listings 2005). BSL has usually been against the Pit Bull type dogs. However, the term Pit Bull labels any type of short-coated large terrier with a wide skull, powerful jaws, and a muscular body. The American Staffordshire Terrier and Bull Terrier are often mistaken for the American Pit Bull Terrier, therefore Pit Bulls are generalized as a category.
The people who hold issues with this category are always in favor of banning breeding of the dogs and killing off what is left. The remaining people who are opposed to Breed Specific Legislation believe in alternatives such as strengthening and enforcing penalties to dangerous owners, more funding to terminate dog fighting, strengthening animal abuse laws, preventing criminals from owning dogs, and regulating breeders (Thomas 2005).
BSL should not be enforced as a solution to incidents of dogs harming people. There are more reasonable alternatives that are usually more effective in preventing dog attacks, and probably even more solutions.
Since Pit Bull type dogs are more discriminated against, the myths about them need to be discovered. Although American Pit Bull Terriers were genetically selected for fighting, it only means they are easily encouraged to be aggressive. With early socialization, a puppy will grow up to be a normal tempered dog. Also, a Pit Bull Terrier’s intimidating appearance attracts the wrong owners who cannot handle the dog, or they own the dog for the wrong reason. They may be seeking a macho dog, therefore encouraging aggression. With BSL at work, criminals will do what they are best at and habitually break the law. They will breed illegal dogs, and if the dogs are confiscated or killed, a criminal will not be concerned. Pit Bull Terriers are abused and sold to irresponsible owners, being favored by drug dealers, and street gangs. BSL affects innocent, responsible owners. A beloved family dog can be taken and killed only because of its appearance, not temperament. Though, the owners of real bad tempered dogs escape like a baby’s uncle leaving a trusted dog with an infant. When a Pit Bull type dog attacks and kills an infant, the dogs breed is blamed, but when a 10 pound Pomeranian attacks and kills an infant, the dogs owner is blamed. The American Temperament Test Society even conducted a test on Pit Bull Terriers (ATTS, Chesser). Pit Bulls have an average score beating the Golden Retriever a.k.a. the ultimate family dog. Pit Bulls are not as vicious as what the media makes them out to be. American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs are dogs of the Canine Lupus Familiaris, as a Labrador Retriever or Maltese is. In 1965-2001, out of 53 million dogs in the U.S., only 92 fatal attacks were by Pit Bull Terriers and mixes (Mann 2006). Fatal dog attacks by dangerous dogs are almost non-existent. 20 a year out of millions of dogs, the percent estimate is .0000004% fatal dog attacks. The real victims are the dogs bred for the wrong reason. Pit Bulls are the victims of food and water deprivation, being hung, locked in closets, and rectums filled with gun powder to make them more aggressive when fighting (Santa Cruz, 2006).
Genetics do not prove much about the Pit Bull Terrier. It does not mean the cannot be around other dogs, or that they are unpredictably aggressive, or that they will fight to the death. Early socialization acts to prevent puppies against future unpleasant experiences. The attraction that many people have for these generalized dogs causes a growing demand, therefore causing uncaring breeders to produce puppies without maintaining a breed. Then, the law abiding owners whose dogs cause no harm have their homes invaded without a search warrant, and the dogs are dragged away in front of the children. For the Pomeranian who killed an infant, there was obviously a problem with the individual dog itself. Even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) support the position on irresponsible owners (CDC, Chesser). The most damaging part of the problem is the abuse of these dogs, selling, and breeding to people like drug dealers. The mistreatment of many dogs of this “dangerous” category are trained to be aggressive in the most inhumane ways. With media all around, people make the Pit Bull to be some sort of “super dog.”
Studies show that it takes less to arouse a Pit Bull than many other breeds to be aggressive towards other dogs. Puppies of all breeds need to be socialized with other dogs in order to learn how to interact, play, and communicate. LA Times featured an article titled, “Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog. (LA Times b-5)” Most people would accuse the dog of being a Pit Bull, however it was an aggressive Pomeranian. The mistreatment and neglect of proper training of Pit Bulls lead them to be notorious for redirecting aggression to their own owners. It is the people who have done this to such a loyal and affectionate dog. Is it the people or the Pits that are more vicious? The dogs who are treated affectionately in their families are innocently dragged away from home and killed. BSL would not be affective according to studies, because studies indicate that most dangerous breeds of dogs changes with popularity and reputation. The so-called super dogs may be super-athletic but they are still dogs. “Fatal Dog Attacks” by Karen Delise shows the number of fatal dog attacks by “dangerous” dogs. This category of dogs is not dangerous, but the fatal attacks of Pit Bulls are nothing compared to the inhumanity.
People may claim that American Pit Bull Terriers are the number one biting breed, but according to statistics, they were not the number one biting breed. For people who suppose BSL will lower the number of dog bites, overall numbers increased by an average of almost 50 for the next ten years after BSL was induced. The biting breeds who rose up to the top of the list began at German Shepherds, proving breeds do not matter. Although it is true that Pit Bull Terriers can be easily encouraged to be aggressive, it only proves that the more genetically aggressive dogs need to be put in the more experienced hands rather than the hands of irresponsible owners. Irresponsible owners are less likely to socialize, train or neuter/spay their dogs. For the people who follow the BSL laws, the irresponsible breeders may end up continuing this nonsense. They will continue with the next macho breed. The cause of BSL to be enacted is mainly caused by attacks by Pit Bull type dogs, but in a more logical sense, the situation is at the owners fault. A well raised, and socialized Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire, or American Bulldog, is capable of things like being a faithful companion of Helen Keller, serving as therapy a dog, working in search and rescue, narcotics, explosives detection, and police and sentry duty (ASPCA “What is a Pit Bull?”).
Banning specific breeds of dogs will simply result in irresponsible dog owners who seek to own large breeds to get their hands on breeds with a similar temperament such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. Dogs may have aggressive genetics, but with the right owner, it makes a perfect dog. Breed Specific Legislation only raises animal abuse and neglect, increases dog attacks, and increases amounts of irresponsible owners.
The people who hold issues with this category are always in favor of banning breeding of the dogs and killing off what is left. The remaining people who are opposed to Breed Specific Legislation believe in alternatives such as strengthening and enforcing penalties to dangerous owners, more funding to terminate dog fighting, strengthening animal abuse laws, preventing criminals from owning dogs, and regulating breeders (Thomas 2005).
BSL should not be enforced as a solution to incidents of dogs harming people. There are more reasonable alternatives that are usually more effective in preventing dog attacks, and probably even more solutions.
Since Pit Bull type dogs are more discriminated against, the myths about them need to be discovered. Although American Pit Bull Terriers were genetically selected for fighting, it only means they are easily encouraged to be aggressive. With early socialization, a puppy will grow up to be a normal tempered dog. Also, a Pit Bull Terrier’s intimidating appearance attracts the wrong owners who cannot handle the dog, or they own the dog for the wrong reason. They may be seeking a macho dog, therefore encouraging aggression. With BSL at work, criminals will do what they are best at and habitually break the law. They will breed illegal dogs, and if the dogs are confiscated or killed, a criminal will not be concerned. Pit Bull Terriers are abused and sold to irresponsible owners, being favored by drug dealers, and street gangs. BSL affects innocent, responsible owners. A beloved family dog can be taken and killed only because of its appearance, not temperament. Though, the owners of real bad tempered dogs escape like a baby’s uncle leaving a trusted dog with an infant. When a Pit Bull type dog attacks and kills an infant, the dogs breed is blamed, but when a 10 pound Pomeranian attacks and kills an infant, the dogs owner is blamed. The American Temperament Test Society even conducted a test on Pit Bull Terriers (ATTS, Chesser). Pit Bulls have an average score beating the Golden Retriever a.k.a. the ultimate family dog. Pit Bulls are not as vicious as what the media makes them out to be. American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs are dogs of the Canine Lupus Familiaris, as a Labrador Retriever or Maltese is. In 1965-2001, out of 53 million dogs in the U.S., only 92 fatal attacks were by Pit Bull Terriers and mixes (Mann 2006). Fatal dog attacks by dangerous dogs are almost non-existent. 20 a year out of millions of dogs, the percent estimate is .0000004% fatal dog attacks. The real victims are the dogs bred for the wrong reason. Pit Bulls are the victims of food and water deprivation, being hung, locked in closets, and rectums filled with gun powder to make them more aggressive when fighting (Santa Cruz, 2006).
Genetics do not prove much about the Pit Bull Terrier. It does not mean the cannot be around other dogs, or that they are unpredictably aggressive, or that they will fight to the death. Early socialization acts to prevent puppies against future unpleasant experiences. The attraction that many people have for these generalized dogs causes a growing demand, therefore causing uncaring breeders to produce puppies without maintaining a breed. Then, the law abiding owners whose dogs cause no harm have their homes invaded without a search warrant, and the dogs are dragged away in front of the children. For the Pomeranian who killed an infant, there was obviously a problem with the individual dog itself. Even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) support the position on irresponsible owners (CDC, Chesser). The most damaging part of the problem is the abuse of these dogs, selling, and breeding to people like drug dealers. The mistreatment of many dogs of this “dangerous” category are trained to be aggressive in the most inhumane ways. With media all around, people make the Pit Bull to be some sort of “super dog.”
Studies show that it takes less to arouse a Pit Bull than many other breeds to be aggressive towards other dogs. Puppies of all breeds need to be socialized with other dogs in order to learn how to interact, play, and communicate. LA Times featured an article titled, “Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog. (LA Times b-5)” Most people would accuse the dog of being a Pit Bull, however it was an aggressive Pomeranian. The mistreatment and neglect of proper training of Pit Bulls lead them to be notorious for redirecting aggression to their own owners. It is the people who have done this to such a loyal and affectionate dog. Is it the people or the Pits that are more vicious? The dogs who are treated affectionately in their families are innocently dragged away from home and killed. BSL would not be affective according to studies, because studies indicate that most dangerous breeds of dogs changes with popularity and reputation. The so-called super dogs may be super-athletic but they are still dogs. “Fatal Dog Attacks” by Karen Delise shows the number of fatal dog attacks by “dangerous” dogs. This category of dogs is not dangerous, but the fatal attacks of Pit Bulls are nothing compared to the inhumanity.
People may claim that American Pit Bull Terriers are the number one biting breed, but according to statistics, they were not the number one biting breed. For people who suppose BSL will lower the number of dog bites, overall numbers increased by an average of almost 50 for the next ten years after BSL was induced. The biting breeds who rose up to the top of the list began at German Shepherds, proving breeds do not matter. Although it is true that Pit Bull Terriers can be easily encouraged to be aggressive, it only proves that the more genetically aggressive dogs need to be put in the more experienced hands rather than the hands of irresponsible owners. Irresponsible owners are less likely to socialize, train or neuter/spay their dogs. For the people who follow the BSL laws, the irresponsible breeders may end up continuing this nonsense. They will continue with the next macho breed. The cause of BSL to be enacted is mainly caused by attacks by Pit Bull type dogs, but in a more logical sense, the situation is at the owners fault. A well raised, and socialized Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire, or American Bulldog, is capable of things like being a faithful companion of Helen Keller, serving as therapy a dog, working in search and rescue, narcotics, explosives detection, and police and sentry duty (ASPCA “What is a Pit Bull?”).
Banning specific breeds of dogs will simply result in irresponsible dog owners who seek to own large breeds to get their hands on breeds with a similar temperament such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. Dogs may have aggressive genetics, but with the right owner, it makes a perfect dog. Breed Specific Legislation only raises animal abuse and neglect, increases dog attacks, and increases amounts of irresponsible owners.
~Brian
