Friday, September 12, 2014

The Threat of Breed-Specific Legislation


What is Breed-Specific Legislation?
 

Breed-specific legislation, or BSL, includes laws that target certain dog breeds for supposedly being dangerous. Pit bulls and pit bull types are usually the breeds affected by BLS, which can comprise of laws either banning or regulating breeds.
 
Bans on pit bulls make it illegal to breed, house, train, own, harbor or import individuals of the breed in any specific area. Owners may be permitted to keep an existing animal as long as they adhere to strict laws. These laws may include, but are not limited to, mandatory spaying/neutering, the obligatory use of a muzzle and/or leash in public, keeping dogs in kennels or even expensive liability insurance.

Regulation laws make owning a specific breed extremely difficult. This type of law may prohibit people of certain ages from owning a breed. It may also require owners to comply with the same restrictions as stated previously with ban laws.


Has BLS ever existed in the United States?


GRAPHIC- Pit bulls destroyed by Denver's breed ban
In 1989, Denver passed ban legislation on pit bulls within the city limits. Any dogs resembling a pit bull were carted away from owners as well as off the streets and put in shelters to await euthanasia. Owners across the city experienced panic, and many attempted to send their beloved pets to relatives in other states via a system similar to the Underground Railroad. Since the ban, an estimated 6,000 dogs have been destroyed. Although the ban has been challenged with severe backlash, it still exists to this day.

Residents of Manly, Iowa received a letter in November 2012 informing them that they had ten days to remove their “dangerous” animals from the city limits. Owners were faced with the heartbreaking decision whether or not to remove a beloved family member.
 
Other states, such as Texas and Oregon, have attempted to ban pit bulls or regulate ownership and failed.

 
Why is BLS wrong?
 

In my opinion, BLS is wrong because it persecutes and discriminates against the bully breeds and violates amendments under the Bill of Rights.
 
BLS reflects the fears of people uneducated about the breeds because both the legislation and people against bully breeds unfairly characterize all bully breeds as violent, aggressive fighting dogs. This is incredibly unfair because bad owners make bad dogs, no matter what the breed of animal. A Golden Retriever that is trained to fight and kill from birth will do so, as will a Boxer or a pit bull. BLS does not recognize this and instead chooses to punish a type of animal based on its looks and breed history as a fighter.
 
The 8th amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states:
 
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
 
 
BLS violates this amendment by punishing innocent dog owners for owning a pit bull or pit bull look-a-like. The seizure and destruction of personal property, particularly when no wrong has been committed, may be defined as cruel and unusual punishment.
 
The 14th amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states:
 

“[N]or shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property.”
 
BLS also violates this amendment by removing property possessed by law-abiding citizens.
 
Pit bull owners should be punished for the deed of dog-fighting, but pit bulls should not be killed based on looks and stereotypes!

Where can I learn more?

Stop BSL provides up-to-date information on BLS and direction about how to stop it.
The ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States also provide great information about BLS.

 


Beverly & Pack. "Graphic, They died because of how they LOOKED only..." Photograph. Flickr Creative Commons, 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2014. </link>.
 
Davidson, John. "Pit Bull Awareness Day will feature silent tribute to dogs killed in Denver." examiner.com 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.
 
"Denver pit bull ban leads to 'dogs in hiding.'" NBC News 29 July 2005. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.
 
Libby, Tracy. "Lift Up the Pit Breed." American Pit Bull Terriers 2013: 12-14. Print.

"Overcoming the Reputation - Photos of Pit Bulls and Children." Photograph. dogguide.net, 9 May 2008. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.
 
"Pit Bull Hiking - Fraulein ID#A331920." Photograph. Flickr Creative Commons, 6 Mar. 2010. Web. 12 Sept. 2014. </link>.

"Punish the Deed NOT the Breed." Photograph. examiner.com, 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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