I believe the number one reason for the proliferation of incompetent and even criminal dog owners, is the failure by authorities everywhere to enforce the breed neutral laws, based upon the individual behavior of each dog, as they stand. The ‘pit bulls’, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Chows or any of the other breeds and shapes targeted by the ignorant for discrimination, are not the root of the problem.
It is an issue which deserves the attention of people who are capable of looking at it objectively and coming up with solutions which are fair, effective and fiscally responsible.
Some people mistakenly believe that owners of these so-called "dangerous" breeds do not care about public safety because they object so strongly to BSL. On the contrary, these owners are acutely aware of the need for strong non-breed-specific dangerous/vicious dog laws, and they fully support efforts to strengthen and enforce those laws. However, these owners also realize that the problem of dog bites and dog attacks does not lie within a single breed or group of breeds. The problem ultimately lies with the individual owner, and that is where the focus of dangerous dog laws should be.
However, it is my belief that breed specific legislation (BSL) is not just canine phenotype discrimination. It is also dog owner discrimination. It is the assumption that should we humans choose to own specified breeds or phenotype of these breeds, that we are irresponsible, negligent, and uninsurable. This discrimination is not aimed at dogs, but rather at people who own the dogs. It is unjust, unacceptable and morally wrong. Discrimination in any form is not to be tolerated.
The railroading of citizens because of the shape of their dog is far from amusing. It creates profound emotional distress and distrust of government in the persecuted. It promotes vigilantism, mob mentality and a lack of respect for living things. It also leads to expensive lawsuits launched by those who value equal application of the law. As studies have shown, BSL results in zero reduction in dog bites and maulings and exposes ill-informed officials to the public eye.
The answer lays in education of:
• Dog owners on proper containment and management of their animals.
• Children, with the emphasis on proper behavior around canines
• Local officials on the failure of BSL as a policy, both technically and morally.
What is not needed is more unfair, unenforceable legislation. All we ask is equal protection, equal treatment under the law.