Breed-specific legislation is a broad term that includes laws that ban or restrict the type of dog a person can own. Bree- specific legislation, or BSL for short, is often described as something that protects people or makes the world a safer place. In reality, there are many issues with this type of legislation. The whole premise of BSL is based off of misconceptions, it punishes innocent people and animals, and it does not ultimately lower the amount of people bitten each year where it is implemented. These laws are discriminatory, unjust, and unproductive. One of the biggest issues with BSL is breed identification. A law that bans a “vicious” being is too broad and can encompass many individuals as it is a personality trait rather than …show more content…
Commonly targeted breeds are usually judged based on their appearances, rather than actual documentation. Various studies have shown that most of the dogs involved in fatal attacks are of unknown breed, and most of them are intact. Owner responsibility is perhaps the most important aspect of preventing aggressive behaviors. Even though sometimes a dog is properly trained and cared for by his or her owner, there is still the possibility of aggression regardless of breed. The best place to start in order to make the world a safer place for other animals and humans, laws demanding a higher standard of care for animals should be implemented. Bad owners should be punished with their dogs, and good owners should not have to suffer because of another person’s actions. Thousands of innocent dogs would be saved from untimely death each year if the unwarranted and bias killing of them was itself made illegal. Discrimination is a terrible ideal and BSL is just that, and should not be implemented in any county, of any state, in any …show more content…
Web. 27 Nov 2013. <http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs.php>.
Netherlands Will Lift Ban On Pit Bulls, Saying No Decrease In Bites. "Netherlands Will Lift Ban on Pit Bulls, Saying No Decrease in Bites." Fox News, 2008. Web. 27 Nov 2013. <http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/06/09/netherlands-will-lift-ban-on-pit-bulls-saying-no-decrease-in-bites/>.
"Pit bull - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary." Merriam-webster.com, 2013. Web. 27 Nov 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20bull>.
National Canine Research Council. Investigative Report for Dog-Bite Related Fatalities 2009. National Canine Research Council, 2010. 6-48. Print.
National Canine Research Council. Investigative Report for Dog-Bite Related Fatalities 2010. National Canine Research Council, 2011. 6-49. Print.
National Canine Research Council. Investigative Report for Dog-Bite Related Fatalities 2011. National Canine Research Council, 2012. 6-50. Print.
"United Kennel Club: American Pit Bull Terrier." Ukcdogs.com, 2013. Web. 27 Nov 2013.
Pit bulls are targeted in this ineffective solution to dog attacks. Perhaps the reason why pit bulls are feared by society because we are afraid of what they are associated with. Pit bulls are often thought of as a gangster’s pet; a role in violent and illegal activities. People stereotype this breed because of the unfortunate acts of few. In contrast, society needs to understand that they are being racist towards a breed of dog. Denver’s systematic killing of pit bulls could be compared to the actions of the Nazis during the holocaust. Although BLS is not even close to being on the same scale as the Holocaust, it is targeting and killing a specific group of living beings. Breed Specific Legislation is genocide of this breed. Denver alone has killed at least 3,500 pit bulls. It’s heart wrenching to think about how many families lost their steadfast companions because of the ignorance of others. A common phrase among pit bull supporters is, “Judge the deed: not the breed”. This rings true; if we are to bring justice to the breed, then we need to abolish BSL. True pit bulls are a far from the monsters they are made to
There are plenty controversial issues about bully breeds and whether they are acceptable or safe dogs to own. In July a woman was mauled in her yard and killed by a dog in Montreal. Due to this unfortunate incident the mayor Denis Coderre created a bill called BSL (Breed-Specific Legislation) which was approved by the legislation. This bill states that determined by their breed or pitbull features “American Pitbull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs or any dog with strains of these breeds” will be unadoptable; they must wear a muzzle in public as well as a leash that’s 4 feet long and in most cases they will be euthanized due to their breed. BSL should be reversed because the real problem is irresponsible dog owners, the irresponsible owners will just switch breeds and any dog has the potential to hurt someone.
Introduction and Background As more people bring dogs into their homes, the rate of dog attacks continue to increase. In an attempt to reduce violent dog attacks on citizens, many U.S. States are turning to a tactic known as Breed Specific Legislation. Breed-specific legislation (also known as BSL), also referred to as breed-discriminatory legislation (also known as BDL), is a law or ordinance that prohibits or restricts the ownership of specific breeds of dogs, and/or dogs presumed to be mixes of one or more of those breeds (Breed-specific legislation (BSL) FAQ, n.d.). The harshest of the BSL laws is a complete ban, which prohibits breeds of dogs from being kept within state borders. Breed specific legislation also includes less absurd limits that include mandatory spay and neutering, muzzling, property posting requirements, special insurance requirements, breed-specific limitations, and various other rules.
The term “breed-specific legislation” is not one that comes up often in day-to-day discussion for most people. Breed-specific legislation refers to all laws that seek to restrict or eliminate ownership of certain animal breeds, most often dog breeds. It was first conceived as a method of controlling and reducing animal cruelty, as well as mitigating the occurrence of dog-related human injuries and the illegal activities of dog-fighting and related crimes. Breed-specific legislation is distinct from animal control laws that restrict ownership of wild or demonstrably dangerous (those with a past history of unacceptable, aggressive behavior) animals, because breed-specific legislation makes a blanket restriction on all animals of a certain breed regardless of individual history. This means that breed-specific legislation is often promulgated on the basis of breed reputation. In recent years it is the pit bull which has come under the scrutiny of legislative bodies, as their reputation becomes more and more sullied by street crime.
Fig 2. "Many shelter dogs mislabeled 'pit bulls'" Toledo Blade. 04 May 2014. 04 May 2014 .
Many people will argue that the pit bull breed should be banned due to their vicious and unpredictable nature. There is a belief that they are inherently evil creatures and that they have a genetic predisposition to be destructive killing machines. In many states and cities this has brought about breed specific legislation. Breed specific legislation bans or regulates the ownership of specific breeds of dogs, which almost always includes pit bulls.
Pit Bulls have had a bad reputation for decades. This breed is largely known for attacking people and killing other dogs. Is it the dog or the person responsible for raising the animal who is ultimately to blame for the dog being a danger to society? The owner is responsible for unleashing a dangerous animal into society. Pit bulls are not born vicious; these behaviours are taught to them. With the BSL in place, people from owning these amazing animals. Is the ban necessary? In order to better understand these animals we first must look into their characteristics, their history, and the ban surrounding them.
An increasing number of pit bull attacks have occurred over past decade. People who are attacked by pit bulls always suffer serious injuries because of the pit bulls’ sharp teeth and strong muscles. In October 19, 2009, Dr Hugh Wirth who is the RSPCA’s Victorian president renewed calls for American pit bull terriers to be bred out of Australia. The current laws require owners of pit bulls to register their pit bull. While some people are satisfied with the laws because they think that they are safe, others disagree. From my own perspective, the laws should be improved. The government should ban these fierce dogs and wipe them out instead of just registering them. In my opinion, there are three reasons why I am in favour of Dr Wirth’s proposal.
DeIorio, Elaine. “Have a Dog-Bite-Free Summer” Marion County Animal Services 17 May 2010. Web. 12 Jun. 2010.
In 2005, the Ontario Liberal government passed The Dog Owner’s Liability Act: a ban against pit bull terriers in the province. After the bill passed, Attorney General Michael Bryant said, “Mark my words, Ontario will be safer” (Ontario passes ban on pit bulls, 2005). The legislation prevented people from acquiring a number of breeds of dogs that would be classified as pit bulls. In addition, Ontario residents who already owned a pit bull terrier prior to the ban were required to neuter and muzzle their animals. Such policies against this breed of animal are not unprecedented. In fact, similar laws are already in place in Britain, France and Germany. In Canada, Winnipeg has had a ban against pit bull terriers in place for 20 years (Ontario passes ban on pit bulls, 2005). Ontario and other regions have imposed these sanctions because the evidence clearly indicates that pit bull terriers pose a much higher than average risk to people.
"US War Dog Association." US War Dog Association RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
This punishes the owner of the dog just for owning a pit bull. This means that if the owner of the pit bull does not want to turn in his dog to the shelters he will be forced to pay a legal fee and he/ she has to keep the dog with a muzzle. According to Begin a pit bull owner he said it isn't easy to keep a pit bull once they have been banned “According to Critics of the bylaw said it was unfair, costly and confusing. Mr. Begin said the $150 permit and the muzzle were too expensive, especially for people who owned more than one pitbull . And he noticed that after the provisions were put into effect, people seemed more afraid of Stella than they had been before”(Jacey). This shows that once pit bulls have been banned People have to get a permit that cost 150 dollars and they have to agree to keep their dog on a muzzle in order for them to have it out in public. Also Begin says that he had to buy a muzzle for his dog and it was not cheap. Banning pit bulls causes stress for the dog and the owner. Another example on how banning pit bulls causes the owner to turn him in or let the dog be put down is by banning them out of nowhere for example a pit bull owner by the name MR.Begin said that he never got any notice that his dog was not allowed in this city anymore. At first he was so stressed he was about to take her
Aggression directed toward owners is not a unique occurrence, and it is one that causes an emotional struggle between owner and pet. Assessment and treatment of this troublesome behavior problem must take into account the owners safety as well as practical expectations for improvement. Comparatively mild aggression may be...
[Reveal topic & relate to audience] Now, you may think that situation is a bit farfetched, especially in this day & age, but it's happening to dogs around the world. What I'm talking about is breed specific legislation (or BSL) which targets certain dog breeds considered dangerous and makes ownership of these dogs illegal. As more and more people share their lives with dogs, we need to be knowledgeable about the effects dogs can have on our communities.
What do you think of when I say the word pitbull? Do you picture a cute happy dog, wagging its tail happy to see you? Or do you see a mad dog, foaming mouth lunging at small child? If you are a owner of a pitbull then you probably see the happy cute dog. But if you don't own one then chances are you see pitbulls as mean dogs who are a threat to society. The media has painted a picture in our heads that it's in a pitbulls blood to be aggressive. Due to this false accusation, certain cities have banned breeds labeled as “aggressive”. If someone is caught owning a banned breed, the dog is usually euthanized. This is known as Breed Specific Laws or otherwise known as BSL.