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 8^th 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 14^th 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the bully breeds, anyway?

It seems that, when bully breeds are mentioned in the media or casual conversation, most people only think about pit bulls. The truth is, there are actually several bully breeds of dog, although the pit bull is certainly the one most talked about.

Despite their individual differences, bully breeds get their collective name because most of them were originally bred for the sport of bull baiting, which was very popular on farms in the 19th century. Dogs who were strong and determined enough to grab a bull by the snout and pull it down to its knees were highly valued.

Here is a brief introduction to the main bully breeds found in America:

Bull Terrier

1. Bull Terrier- This breed is strong, stubborn and active and recognizable by its oval head and triangular eyes. It can weigh between 45 and 80 pounds and stand 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder. Originally nicknamed "a gentleman's dog," the Bull Terrier is known for never provoking a fight. The Bull Terrier is not very vocal, and so makes a dreadful watchdog. However, it is effective as a guardian, ratter and herder and its trainability makes it popular in advertisements and movies. It is not shy about knocking a favorite human to the floor for face kisses, but belies its intimidating demeanor by tolerantly enduring pokes and pulls from children. Due to its trainability, this breed is popular in advertising and movies. Popular Bulls include Target's mascot as well as Spuds MacKenzie in the Budweiser commercials.

American Bulldog

2. American Bulldog - Fearless and sturdy, the American Bulldog stands 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder and has proportionate height. American Bulldogs appear in two types: the leaner, athletic "performance" type and the powerful, lower and wider "classic" type. Their history includes use as stock dogs, catch dogs and guardians, but the breed was also specifically used on farms to remove feral pigs. Although this breed is believed to carry the blood of Saint Bernards, Boxers, Pointers and Bulldogs, no formal records were kept to confirm this. The breed's working dog nature makes them difficult to keep as pampered house dogs, and they require plenty of strenuous exercise.

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier

3. American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier-  These two breeds, which are nearly identical and often considered the same, both descend from Bulldogs and terriers and were bred for bull baiting, dog fighting, farm work and guard duty. Today, modern breeders have put a lot of effort into reducing these breeds' aggression while still making them effective at hunting game and guarding. Modern Am Staffs and APBTs work as drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs, service animals and livestock herders. Both breeds are 30 to 50 pounds and stand 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder. They are stubborn, determined, intelligent, loyal and lively and require at least 15 minutes of daily training.


"American Bulldog." Photograph. About Dog American Bulldog. Blogspot, 2009. Web. 7 Sept. 2014.

"American Pit Bull Terrier." http://americanpitbull.biz/, 7 Sept. 2014. Web. 7 Sept. 2014.

"The American Staffordshire Terrier." Photograph. Dog Breed Selector. Animal Planet, 2014. Web. 7 Sept. 2014.

"The Miniature Bull Terrier." Photograph. Dog Breed Selector. Animal Planet, 2014. Web. 7 Sept. 2014.

Morgan, Diane. "Hello, Bully!" Training Secrets for Bully Breeds 2014: 4-13. Print.

Hello!

My name is Juli, and I am a huge fan of animals. As a person who loves all animals, one of the topics that never fails to boil my blood is the ongoing negativity surrounding bully dog breeds.

Our society in general has a very negative perception of the bully breeds, and these types of dogs are frequently persecuted and feared because of certain stereotypes.

The goal of this blog is to teach people all about the bully breeds and why they should be loved and cherished, not destroyed or feared.