BSL is a discriminating attempt at banning dogs based on profiling characteristics. Instead of holding owners responsible, or targeting animals that have attacked, BSL seeks to restrict and sometimes even eradicate breeds based on their looks. There are many targeted animals that ‘look like’ a specific type and targeted as such because it is rather difficult to determine the actual breed, as with ‘pit bull types’. Many BSL laws even go so far as confiscating a loving, gentle animal that has done nothing negative to anyone, and summarily executing them. Service dogs are not exempt. In Denver Colorado, even traveling through the area can lead to execution of your animal. If you are flying with your service animal, have a layover in Denver, step outside of the airport and if your animal even ‘looks like’ a pit bull type, it will be confiscated and executed.
BSL does not only target pit bulls, it also targets large dogs of other types. Change.org reports that in Fairfield Iowa, German Shepards, Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes and others are also targeted as well as ‘any dog that weighs over 100 pounds’.
Here is one reason why BSL will not work: Media sensationalism is responsible for the heightened fear of our beloved pets. Once, reporting and journalists had a responsibility to report the facts. Today, all of the facts are not presented thereby slanting public view. For instance, attacks are reported, but in the community of the attack, how many people have an animal of that breed that has not attacked? Let me give you an example. Let’s say you have a community that reports 10 attacks that year. 4 of those attacks are by Labrador Retrievers. Pit Bulls were responsible for 6 of those attacks. The media will report that there were 6 attacks in this community alone. They will say nothing about the 4 attacks also by Labs.
You can also say the media is remiss in reporting this statistic: out of those 10 attacks, there are 50 Labrador owners and 4 attacks, as opposed to 250 pit bull owners and 6 attacks. Who do you suppose actually has the higher attack percentage or ratio? Without comparing to the number of owners, it appears that the Pit Bull is worse, but when you compare to the number that did NOT occur, it is slanted reporting because in actuality it is more likely to occur with the Labrador.
Bad news sells. And the more horrific the story, the more it will sell.
Non breed specific legislation already exists, and does not target breed. Instead, it targets offenders. This is the proper way.
The Humane Society also feels that dogs that are presented as ‘problem dogs’ tend to be in higher demand. They also state that when one breed is banned, a new breed is introduced, and then the new breed is eventually unfairly targeted as well.
Defendingdog.com says this: “Breed Specific Legislation or "BSL" is exactly what it sounds like...regulation of your right to own or, in many cases, not own, a dog based solely on the breed or "type" of dog - not your responsibility as an owner.BSL can also refer to regulations and/or requirements placed only on a specific breed of dog and their owners.”(defendingdog.com offers assistance with writing effective leaders, preparing for BSL meetings, and much more).)
If you are interested in BSL activities a good place to start is Stopbsl.org. This site reports on proposed legislation in cities as well as those cities that have repealed their laws.
No dog is safe. It is discrimination at its’ utmost. Service dogs are even targeted. Dogs that have been nothing but loyal and well behaved members of their families are confiscated and summarily executed.
Do all you can to fight against BSL. Google petitions and sign them. Post your petitions to Breedforum.com and sign the petitions of others.
At one time in our history, we targeted races of people. Now we target breeds of animals.
