Breed Specific Legislation

Breed Specific Legislations are regulations and laws pertaining to specific dog breeds. Laws are put in place independently in each Town or City for breed that typically shows aggression, danger or violent behavior. BSL identifies a rule for an entire breed of dog, not just those that have shown aggressive behavior in the past. The problem with BSL is ignorance. Citizens that do not know anything about a particular breed besides what they are fed on the news, vote to put these laws in effect.

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that there needs to be control over dogs especially because there are a lot of irresponsible Owners giving certain breed like pitbulls a bad name. I strongly believe that all dogs should be leashed off personal property and even on property without gates. This protects your dog, other dogs and your neighbors. This goes for little dogs like Yorkie too! There has been a few times on my daily walks with my dogs, where my neighbors Yorkie will run away from her toward my pitbull and myself. One of my dogs is not dog friendly especially with a 5 lb Yorkie that looks like a squeaky toy. Every time, my heart stops, the worst possible thoughts go through my mind, and I literally freeze praying that the Owner will be able to stop the Yorkie before approaching too closely. Thankfully, the Yorkie never gets too close, but if he did, my dog could possibly hurt and even kill him and there would be another “Vicious Pitbull Attack Story” all over the news. Owners have this responsibility to protect their dogs from harm and no matter how well your dog supposedly listens to you, it is possible that you dog can run off and get hurt. Owners need to accept that this is a possibility and never let it happen.

Owners need to be held responsible for knowing their pets. For example, I know my dog Moose is not good with any other dogs besides our other family dogs, so I protect him from getting near any other dog. If we are on a walk and I see another dog approaching on a walk, I turn around, bring him to a location where I can block his view momentarily while the other dog passes or I try to get his attention and work on a training behavior. Even though I have my dog on a leash, I know how he will react and I want to protect him from a stressful situation. But my pitbulls should not have to wear a muzzle outside juts because they are pitbulls.

Pit Bull Rescue Central has a great link showing all BSL in the United States. Please take a moment to read their website and check the state you live in.

Is There BSL In Your State? Find Out Here.