What is Breed Specific Legislation?
Breed-specific legislation (BSL) refers to laws that regulate or outright prohibit certain breeds, that are incorrectly thought to be all dangerous - most commonly "pit bull types." These BSL impose stricter regulations on these dogs or even make ownership illegal. The goal of breed-specific legislation is to prevent severe and fatal dog attacks from occurring in the first place. However, while BSL appears to be a viable option for dog bite prevention, it is neither reliable nor effective.
It typically targets dogs with larger statures, muscular builds, and other aggression-related physical characteristics. Along with pit bulls, BSL commonly prohibits Rottweilers, Akitas, Mastiffs, Doberman Pinschers, Presa Canarios, Dogo Argentinos, and even more traditionally family-friendly breeds such as Dalmatians and Chow Chows. Before they were outlawed, many of these breeds had more noble roles as working and livestock herding dogs and skilled big game hunters.
Breeds are prohibited under the legislation by describing the breed by name, type, and physical characteristics. Today, almost all breed bans are centered on one breed: the pit bull. However, a "pit bull" is a loose classification of three or more breeds: the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Despite gaining a reputation for being aggressive and unruly in the 1980s, pit bulls were known for their loyalty and obedience. In fact, they were dubbed "nanny dogs," because of their affectionate nature and watchfulness over children.
Any Dog Can Bite, Irrespective of the Breed!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that approximately 4.5 million people get dog bites in the United States yearly, with another 800,000 receiving medical attention. Dog bites pose a significant health risk to our communities and society.
The likelihood of whether dogs will cause serious bites is determined by the dog's size, the vulnerability of the injured person, the number of dogs involved, and the dog's individual history. Breed-specific bans are a crude solution to a complex social issue, and they end up diverting attention and resources away from more effective solutions.
Problems with Breed-Specific Legislation.
1. Breed-specific legislation is unfair to responsible dog owners and their dogs.
Innocent dogs and pet owners suffer due to generalizing behaviors of dogs with a certain appearance. BSL can result in the euthanasia of innocent dogs who fit a certain "look," as well as the forced relocation or surrender of dogs who have never bitten or threatened to bite. Furthermore, dogs of a "dangerous breed" may serve the public in roles such as police work, military operations, rescue, and as service animals. These animals, rather than being a liability, are assets to society; however, they also suffer from breed-based stereotypes and misinformation.
2. Breed-specific legislation is relatively hard to enforce, especially when a dog's breed cannot be easily determined or if it is mixed breed.
Breed-specific legislation frequently focuses on dogs with a specific appearance or physical characteristics rather than an actual breed. Pit bulls are the most frequently targeted by breed-specific legislation; other breeds, such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, and boxers, are also occasionally prohibited. However, it is extremely difficult to determine a dog's breed or breed mix simply by looking at it.
Even those well-versed in dog breeds cannot reliably identify the primary breed of a mutt, and dogs are frequently mislabeled as "pit bulls." Breed-specific laws are inherently vague and difficult to enforce because identifying a dog's breed with certainty is prohibitively difficult.
3. Public Safety is jeopardized.
Breed-specific legislation tends to compromise rather than improve community safety. If animal control resources are used in regulating or banning specific breeds, the focus shifts away from effective law enforcement that improves the chances of making the public safe: leash laws, dog license laws, anti-tethering laws, anti-animal fighting laws, laws facilitating spaying and neutering, and laws requiring all owners, regardless of breed, to control their dogs. Furthermore, guardians of prohibited breeds may be discouraged from going to routine veterinary services, which can lead to rabies and other dog diseases that endanger communities.
4. Breed-specific legislation may also unintentionally encourage irresponsible dog ownership.
Individuals who exploit aggression in dogs are likelier to turn to unregulated breeds because certain breeds are regulated. In contrast, "outlaws" may be drawn to the "outlaw" status of certain breeds. In the late 1980s, the increase in pit bull ownership among gang members coincided with the first round of breed-specific legislation.
What Are the Best Alternatives to Breed-Specific Laws?
According to the CDC, many other factors (such as training, socialization, reproductive status, sex, heredity, etc.) unrelated to the breed may influence a dog's tendency toward aggression. As a result, it is critical to develop well-crafted breed-neutral laws and strategies that can address and, as a result, reduce the rate of bites caused by dog aggression. Among the more effective practices are the following:
· Increased enforcement of dog licensing laws
· Enhanced access to low-cost sterilization (spay/neuter) services
Breed-neutral dangerous dog legislation emphasizes the behavior of the individual dog and guardian.
Gradually increasing penalties and options for dangerous dogs
Laws that hold dog guardians financially liable for failing to follow animal control laws.
Dog guardians are held criminally and civilly liable for unjustified damage or injuries caused by their dogs.
Chaining, tethering, and unreasonable confinement laws, as well as increased enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws
Community-based approaches to resolving questions about reckless guardians/dangerous dogs that include all stakeholders, available dog bite data and suggested realistic and enforceable policies.
Final Thoughts
It's important to remember that any dog of any breed can bite if provoked. In fact, pit bulls are not the only dogs who have been responsible for severe and fatal attacks – all breeds of dogs can potentially cause harm. This is why it's so important to focus on owner responsibility rather than banning specific breeds. If you're considering getting a new puppy or dog, be sure to book a consultation with our team at Atl Pit Bull Training first! We can help you create a safe and loving home for your pet – no matter what breed he or she may be.
