Legislation

For years the media have reported on injuries inflicted by dogs on humans or other animals. The attacks have occurred in a variety of situations and for a variety of reasons. In an attempt to curtail these types of attacks, government officials have adopted a number of measures, including licensing laws, statutes that outlaw organized dogfights, leash laws, mandatory spay and neuter, regulations on how many dog and owner is allowed to have and in recent years Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL). BSL has been embraced by some communities, shunned by others, and strongly opposed by a number of dog owners and canine organizations. A number of breeds have been restricted or banned, including Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers ("Pit Bulls"), Chow Chows, German Shepherd Dogs, and Doberman Pinschers, and the list is growing. Is the Neapolitan Mastiff soon to follow? Read more on BSL and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

There are many dangers involved with BSL. Some people may ignore some of the BSL because "It doesn't involve my breed" today - but - do you realize that once one breed gets on this list - if legislation is passed, other breeds may be added without your ever knowing about it. That is - until it suddenly affects you! It is considered to stand up and fight this unfair legislation BEFORE it affects you.

Today, homeowners are being denied home insurance because of the breed they own - NOT because the dog did anything at all illegal. Some towns will not let you drive through their municipalities if you have a banned breed in your car. Some people have had their dogs physically taken from them - to be later euthanized. Some localities had laws that state you must pay shockingly high license fees, have 8 foot fences, keep a muzzle on your dog, and are not allowed to walk their BSL dogs in public.

Keep in mind that BSL affects dogs based on appearance only. BSL has nothing to do with temperament. Even the AKC relies on DNA test to identify breeds - not so for your local animal control officer or shelter worker. They make "educated" guesses on what breed or breed mix is before them.

BSL provides a "quick fix" that doesn't work in the real world. Promoting responsible dog ownership does work. Perhaps the expression "Ban the deed - not the breed" will take on a new meaning for dog lovers..

What does BSL Accomplish?

  • Gives citizens a false sense of security that the dog-bite problem is over.
  • Removes needed service and therapy animals from their purpose.
  • Removes breeds from law enforcement, and search and rescue personnel.
  • Penalizes responsible dog owners who have properly trained and socialized their animals and who have lived in harmony with their communities
  • Shifts resources of Police and Sheriffs departments to dog-catching and enforcement of dog ordinances.
  • Imposes additional costs on communities that don't have problems with dog bites or dangerous dogs.
  • Forces people using breeds for illicit purposes to shift to another breed.
  • "Quick Fix" tacks on additional breeds as time progresses.
  • Provides a form of racial profiling.

What Does BSL NOT Accomplish?

  • Does not solve the dog bite problem.
  • Does not stop people from owning so called dangerous breeds.
  • Does not stop people from owning targeted breeds.
  • Does not materially reduce bites in the population.
  • Does not protect the public from Dangerous Dogs.
  • Does not provide a rational, reasonable approach for identifying and controlling dangerous dogs.
  • Does not teach the most frequent victims - children- how to be safe around dogs.

Listed below are a few websites that have information on BSL

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