Please do not edit the piece, ensure that you attribute the author and mention that this article was originally published on FEE.org. Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) is a quick solution to the public frenzy created after a media-reported dog attack. In addition to requiring a “canine that is entirely or partly” one of these breeds to be labeled as dangerous, the legislation mandates that shelters must provide bite statistics to people who are looking to adopt. Counties are finding that BSL is too costly, it provides the public with a false sense of security, and it does not address animal abuse, even inadvertent abuse by loving owners. Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals.States should not have breed-discriminatory laws because it is a form of discrimination, it affects public safety, and dogs of the banned breed are sometimes innocent. What we need is Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL); in simple terms, a statute or regulation that is directed toward this specific “dangerous” breed. Some are those who have suffered the terrifying experience of a dog attack while others are dealing with the hurtful discrimination of their loving furry family members. 1. A dog’s breed does not necessarily equate to a level of risk for a bite or dog attack. These laws — known as breed-discriminatory or breed-specific legislation — target certain dogs by breed or even just by appearance. Laws like this aren’t breed-specific “discrimination”—they’re breed-specific protection. Breed-specific legislation has a negative impact on animal health It’s likely that the owners of dogs that meet the physical characteristics of banned dogs aren’t taking those dogs in for routine veterinary care, since they’re potentially afraid of their dog being identified. Breed bans are even worse, as they can lead to dogs being rounded up and exterminated. The pit bull has been extensively used in dog fighting. - Breed-specific Legislation Breed-specific legislation is the banning or restriction of dogs considered “dangerous” breeds, such as pit bull breeds, in order to stop dog attacks. The ban describes physical characteristics of prohibited breeds, or it may list specific breeds that are prohibited, or a combination of both. Please, enable JavaScript and reload the page to enjoy our modern features. Breed-specific legislation is a type of dangerous dog law. The most common breed ban from areas are Pit Bulls. Unfortunately, training, socializing, loving, adoring pit bulls, and taking their photos sleeping with human babies does not change their basic nature, which is unpredictable and prey-driven. Any dog with teeth can bite. Pit bull dogs have already been brought to the public’s attention as a threat, and such legislation is strongly supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) raises several other arguments against breed-specific laws such as: In order to avoid getting caught with a banned breed, dog owners may fail to get proper veterinary care for their animals, including vaccinations and spaying or neutering. It’s short-sighted to assume that this kind of legislation will only affect the buying and selling of certain dogs. Legislators may be challenged to identify pit bull from photographs, and to listen to arguments intended to confuse the notion of “breed”. BSL developed as a reaction to the sense of a growing dog bite … Prior to joining FEE, Marianne worked for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The AVSAB’s position is that such legislation—often called breed-specific legislation (BSL)—is ineffective, and can lead to a false sense of community safety as well as welfare concerns for dogs identified (often incorrectly) as belonging to specific breeds.”. BSL is on the rise in the United States. Share your thoughts on social media, contact local officials, bring the topic to your local media partners and help spread the word. “It’s just not politically correct in the animal world to favor breed restrictions,” he says. Banning and labeling dogs as dangerous effects where dog owners can live, whether or not they can visit dog parks or veterinarians, and doubtlessly has a huge impact on whether or not an abandoned animal will be adopted or euthanized. Breed Specific Legislation – The Legislative Panic Button 9 III. - Humane Society of … The time and effort an owner spends on training and raising a “dangerous” dog is rendered useless because even the best-behaved pooches will be seen as unsafe in the eyes of the law. The following organizations do not endorse breed specific legislation (BSL), also known as breed discriminatory legislation (BDL). Opponents of the ban link it with racism and classism, but supporters reject that argument, saying it is really about the danger posed by the dogs. Over 1,000 US cities and dozens of counties within 36 states have what is known as “breed-specific legislation.” Breed-specific restrictions often require the owners of certain dog breeds to do things like muzzle the dog in public, contain their pets within a kennel that is built to given specifications (e.g., chain link walls and concrete floors), purchase a minimum dollar amount of liability insurance, make the dog wear a “vicious dog” identifier, etc. Breed Specific Legislations are laws that states or communities put upon to ban certain breeds. Links to important articles and reports on Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in the United States: Breed-Specific Legislation FAQ DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks, releases a Breed-Specific Legislation FAQ on its website. BSL does not mean rounding up and killing dogs. Regulated breeds typically comprise the “pit bull” class of dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and English Bull Terriers. "Breed-specific" legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain breeds completely in the hopes of reducing dog attacks. Breed Specific Legislaion, or BSL, is a subset of a larger set of laws aimed at regulating dangerous dogs. Breed Legislation. Proven Heroes Sergeant Stubby "But his greatest feat of all came the day he discovered and helped capture a German soldier who had crept close to the Americans and was mapping their trench lines. Some jurisdictions have enacted breed-specific legislation in response to a number of fatalities or maulings involving pit bull–type dogs or other dog breeds commonly used in dog fighting, and some government organizations such as the United States Army and Marine Corps have taken administrative action as well. http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php, Attacks by pit bulls rescued from shelters, Where are pit bulls banned internationally, http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/, http://www.amazon.com/Misunderstood-Nanny-Dogs-Objective-Concerning/dp/150872671X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440205209&sr=8-1&keywords=thomas+beasley, http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.ca/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html, http://www.dogsbite.org/pdf/dog-attack-deaths-maimings-merritt-clifton-2014.pdf, http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php. Once dog breeds are labeled as “dangerous” it makes it very difficult for individuals with these pets to rent apartments and or even visit dog parks. Studies of city records also show that pit bulls are 4-8 times more likely to attack than other breeds of dogs, that they do more extensive damage, and that their “bites” kill more people than any other breed of dog. Laws The American Veterinary Medical Association, has stated that “it’s the dog’s behavior, general size, number of dogs involved, and the vulnerability of the person bitten that determines whether or not a dog or dogs will cause a serious bite injury.” The AVMA urges people to learn how to recognize aggressive dog behavior and teach their kids how to interact with dogs and to not rely on stereotypes or breed-specific-legislation to minimize the number of dog bites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that, among other benefits, the health advantages of keeping pets include decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and feelings of loneliness. Extensive studies have shown that breed-specific-legislation has had almost no effect on stopping dog attacks and a task force report from Maryland concluded that public safety did not improve even after a local municipality spent roughly $250,000 per year to capture and kill banned dogs. Many authorities say, "teach people dog safety, regulate by passing tougher civil and criminal laws, and restrict by keeping certain breeds away from the wrong people, places and situations." Legislators may be challenged to identify pit bull from photographs, and to listen to arguments intended to confuse the notion of “breed”. It lacked both proper research and opposing arguments to breed-specific legislation. States and municipalities across the country have considered—and, in some cases, enacted—breed-specific legislation designed to protect the public against dog bites.18 Commonly, these statutes The cost of BSL, by Animal Farm’s own calculations, is actually less than the current cost to taxpayers. The cost to taxpayers for enforcing BSL is significantly less than the cost of medical and veterinary bills for victims of pit bulls, and significantly less than typical insurance claims for dog bites, which averaged $32,072 in 2014. http://www.animals24-7.org/2015/01/27/how-many-other-animals-did-pit-bulls-kill-in-2014/. Why Breed Specific Legislation Cannot Achieve its Stated Goals Shaw Williams TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Best Friends claims that if BSL is enacted, the total cost for BSL services for all dogs in the United States would be only $476,973,320. In the United States, the A… The goal of breed-specific laws is to prevent the deed in the first place. This type of legislation is usually enacted by local municipal or county governments and operates under the presumption that certain physical characteristics make some breeds of dogs more dangerous than others. Over 1,000 US cities and dozens of counties within 36 states have what is known as “breed-specific legislation.” Breed-specific restrictions often require the owners of certain dog breeds to do things like muzzle the dog in public, contain their pets within a kennel that is built to given specifications (e.g., chain link walls and concrete floors), purchase a minimum dollar amount of liability insurance, make the dog wear a “vicious dog” identifier, etc. Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is a type of law that prohibits or restricts particular breeds or types of dog. The majority of attacks are well established to be “out of the blue”, unprovoked and unexpected. Let's take a look into the pros of Breed Specific Legislation Pro #1 Laws 38 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2012 If no laws are present prohibiting certain dog breeds, then people will make poor choices that are not necessarily safe for the dog and/or surrounding people. Breed specific legislation will result in fiscal waste, regulatory confusion, and political opposition, without increasing the safety of residents. Doesn’t Make Communities Safer: Lawmakers in favor of BDL claim it will improve public safety, but … It’s troubling that, in the case of breed bans, an inability to accurately identify a dog’s breed may lead to local governments killing dogs who only have the appearance of a “dangerous” breed. If it passes, House Bill 313 will label the following dog breeds as dangerous: Boxer, Akita, Husky, Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, all four breeds commonly known as pit bulls, German Shepherd, and wolf hybrids. As you can imagine, when confronted with a breed ban, many pet owners decide to hide their banned dogs. http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.ca/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html. Proponents of breed-specific laws seek to limit public exposure to well-documented dangerous dog breeds by regulating the ownership of them. They’re enthusiastic, warm, and cuddly. Pit bulls do not normally warn people they are going to attack. Regarding pit bulls, perhaps because of their muscular, intimidating appearance, because the media over-hypes pit bull attacks, or because these breeds have been used for peoples’ sick entertainment and gambling over dog fights, these mostly-sweet dogs have been given a bad rap. In June 2009, the Dutch government announced its intent to remove its “pitbull” ban after determining that it did not decrease dog bites or improve safety in the Netherlands. Topics include how to influence media and politicians about pit bulls, how to obtain grants and awards for pit bulls rescue and advocacy, how to convince school children that pit bulls are safe, and strategies for marketing and advertising pit bulls. An animal that appears to be one breed might genetically be labeled as another. However, legislation for pit bulls is not based on defining pit bulls as a “breed”. These days, Pit Bulls are the canine-non-grata. What should be regulated is dog ownership, not the dog itself. Introduction 3 II. There is no evidence that breed-specific laws reduce dog bites or attacks on people and they divert resources from more effective animal control and public safety initiatives. Generally, people are really bad at identifying the breed of a dog based solely on appearance. What this means is that, not only will some of the most common canines in Georgia be labeled as dangerous, “the proposed bill would burden taxpayers because of DNA testing costs and the fact that shelters will have to provide statistics about dog bites, medical costs related to dog bites and legal damages awarded to dog bite victims.”. A breed ban, also known as breed specific legislation or “BSL” are all names for an ordinance that restricts ownership or possession of certain identified breeds of dogs. BSL policies draw on evidence from attack and bite records kept by cities and counties. Many arguments against BSL made by Animal Farm and others concern the word “breed”. 2. When BSL is enacted, existing pets are grandfathered in and allowed to live out their natural lives, under the condition they are neutered and spayed to prevent further breeding. Some city/municipal governments have enacted breed-specific laws, as has the State of Ohio. 3. Breed specific legislation is any law that prohibits the breed, or kind, of dog that someone is allowed by law to own. Many arguments against BSL made by Animal Farm and others concern the word “breed”. The American Bar Association (ABA) “…the American Bar Association urges all state, territorial,… Breed Specific Laws Everyone agrees that people are to blame for the dog-bite problem, but there are different opinions about whether breeds are also a cause. What we need is Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL); in simple terms, a statute or regulation that is directed toward this specific “dangerous” breed. By far, the most common breeds focused upon are the 'pit bull' type breeds. This percentage is likely much higher if pit bull owners under-report bites. It is defined as any ordinance or policy that pertains to a specific dog breed or several breeds, but does not affect any others. It is based on the number of attacks by pit bulls as opposed to attacks by other dogs, and on the severity of bites by pit bulls compared to the severity of bites by other dogs. Such laws range from outright bans on the possession of these dogs, to restrictions and conditions on ownership, and often establishes a legal presumption that such dogs are dangerous or vicious. Arguments for and Against Breed Specific Laws. A ban can require that all dogs that resemble a “targeted breed” be removed from the jurisdiction or are subject to being killed by animal control. Breed-specific legislation is a type of dangerous dog law. They prevent pit bulls from being born only to be exploited, abandoned, and abused. Furthermore, according to the CDC, “There is currently no accurate way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed, and consequently no measure to determine which breeds are more likely to bite or kill.” They go on to say that there are numerous alternatives to breed-specific policies that are practical and “hold promise for preventing dog bites.”. As journalist, CNN need only define the word breed in context of dogs and any argument against breed specific legislation-Bsl, evaporates. It’s disappointing that my own state of Georgia has proposed similar legislation. Around the world, governments are recognizing the inherent problems with BSL and revising their dangerous dog policies. The Dog Bite Problem 6 B. On the flip side, laws and policies that are breed-discriminatory in nature pose a tremendous threat to the safety of both dogs and people. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. However the truth is that about 1/2 of all pit bull attacks are on their owners or family members, many of whom trained and socialized their dogs since they were puppies. Proven Heroes Sergeant Stubby "But his greatest feat of all came the day he discovered and helped capture a German soldier who had crept close to the Americans and was mapping their trench lines. Even the naming of dog breeds gets complicated. Taxpayers currently subsidize over $2 billion annually on U.S. shelters and euthanization. Enforcing laws that punish “the deed, not the breed” ensures that communities stay safe and individuals can enjoy their choice of breed and the best pet for their lifestyle. One of the unfortunate results of breed stereotypes, misinformation, and irresponsible ownership is breed-specific legislation. And the news media solely depicted them as vicious, snarling beasts, only kept for scaring people and away. How a breed, or kind, of dog that someone is allowed by law to own created a. 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