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.
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.
DeIorio, Elaine. “Have a Dog-Bite-Free Summer” Marion County Animal Services 17 May 2010. Web. 12 Jun. 2010.
National Canine Research Council. Denver's Breed-Specific Legislation: Brutal, Costly, and Ineffective. National Canine Research Council. N.p., 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
There is no such breed as a "pit bull". "Pit bull" applies to mainly 3 breeds but is very often used to describe any medium-sized short-haired dog with a square muzzle.
A menace to society, lurking in the streets, just waiting for its next victim? This couldn’t be further from the truth for most pit bulls. These fantasised versions plague the breed, outlawing them in many cities, states, and even some countries entirely. These bans are called Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), and in over 700 American cities these laws are in effect. They are in place to decrease the number of attacks by dogs.
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.
middle of paper ... ... n.d. - n.d. - n.d. DogsBite.org -. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://www.dogsbite.org/legislating-dangerous-dogs-state-by-state.php Breed-specific legislation. n.d. - n.d. - n.d.
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.
“Dog Bite: Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 13
Fig 2. "Many shelter dogs mislabeled 'pit bulls'" Toledo Blade. 04 May 2014. 04 May 2014 .
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.
A vital question that must be asked though is what is a pit bull? The answer to this has become vague in today’s society, but the simple answer is that there is no one single dog that is a pit bull. There is a myriad of many different breeds that have been grouped together
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...
"US War Dog Association." US War Dog Association RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
Pit bulls are known as dangerous and non coward. I Once had a pit bull and never had any trouble with him. He was very friendly and never showed any sign of aggression, But people still criticize these dogs. This means that by banning pit bulls it could lead to many different problems that people are not expecting. And cause chaos for Pit bulls and their owners. Although pit bulls seem to be dangerous, people should be able to own pit bulls in the united states.