Breed-specific legislation: BSL Doesn't Just Target Pit Bulls

Breed-specific legislation or BSL as it is commonly known, refers to laws, policies, restrictions and regulations that pertain to a certain dog breeds. These laws place restrictions on the breeding and ownership of dogs that have been deemed dangerous based solely upon breed alone. BSL mainly targets Pit Bull type dogs, which are very vaguely defined, followed by Rottweilers. Other popular targeted breeds include, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Presa Canarios, Dobermans, Cane Corsos, Huskies, Boxers, and mixes of these.

Breed-specific legislation creates a number of restrictions and regulations on certain breeds. Owners may be required to:

-Keep the dog muzzled in public

-Purchase insurance for the dog

-Keep the dog on its owner’s property at all times (no trips to the park, the store, etc.)

-Keep the dog in a specific enclosure at all times.

The most common kind of breed-specific legislation completely bans all dogs of a certain breeds. This means that all dogs of the banned breed must be removed from the area or euthanized.

BSL requires every dog to be categorized into a specific breed according to it's physical appearance, However not every dog can be labeled and placed into one certain breed; it’s impossible. Almost every BSL places restrictions and bans on Pit Bulls; but what do they consider a "Pit Bull"? To them a Pit Bull is any dog with the following characteristics… wide head, broad chest, and short fur. How many dogs fit into that description? That would make Boxers, Great Dane, Bulldogs (both American and English types), Bull Terriers, Weimaraner, Labradors, and Staffordshire terriers all "Pit Bulls". Or any dog being mixed with any of these breeds for that matter. There are about 25 different bull dog breeds, all of which according this would be pit bulls. It is widely recognized by anyone in the dog handling field, veterinarians, breeders, animal control officers, shelter workers, etc... That to correctly determine a dogs breed or mix is impossible without registration papers or the dog's pedigree. How many dogs are found wandering about with their papers?

There are 75 breeds that are targeted by BSL. Just because there may not be a BSL in place against one of these breeds currently it could happen in the future.

1. AIREDALE TERRIER

2. AKBASH

3. AKITA

4. ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG

5. ALASKAN MALAMUTE

6. ALSATIAN SHEPHERD

7. AMERICAN BULLDOG

8. AMERICAN HUSKY

9. AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

10. AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

11. AMERICAN WOLFDOG

12. ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD

13. ARIKARA DOG

14. AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG

15. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

16. BELGIAN MALINOIS

17. BELGIAN SHEEPDOG

18. BELGIAN TURVUREN

19. BLUE HEELER

20. BOERBOL

21. BORZOI

22. BOSTON TERRIER

23. BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

24. BOXER

25. BULLDOG

26. BULL TERRIER

27. BULL MASTIFF

28. CANE CORSO

29. CATAHOULA LEOPARD DOG

30. CAUCASIAN SHEPHERD

31. CHINESE SHAR PEI

32. CHOW-CHOW

33. COLORADO DOG

34. DOBERMAN PINSCHER

35. DOGO DE ARGENTINO

36. DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

37. ENGLISH MASTIFFS

38. ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL

39. ESKIMO DOG

40. ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG

41. FILA BRASILIERO

42. FOX TERRIER

43. FRENCH BULLDOG

44. GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

45. GOLDEN RETRIEVER

46. GREENLAND HUSKY

47. GREAT DANE

48. GREAT PYRANEES

49. ITALIAN MASTIFF

50. KANGAL DOG

51. KEESHOND

52. KOMONDOR

53. KOTEZEBUE HUSKY

54. KUVAZ

55. LABRADOR RETRIEVER

56. LEONBERGER

57. MASTIFF

58. NEOPOLITAN MASTIFF

59. NEWFOUNDLAND

60. OTTERHOUND

61. PRESA DE CANARIO

62. PRESA DE MALLORQUIN

63. PUG

64. ROTTWEILER

65. SAARLOOS WOLFHOND

66. SAINT BERNARD

67. SAMOYED

68. SCOTTISH DEERHOUND

69. SIBERIAN HUSKY

70. SPANISH MASTIFF

71. STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

72. TIMBER SHEPHERD

73. TOSA INU

74. TUNDRA SHEPHERD

75. WOLF SPITZ

Besides the fact that breed identification is impossible with out proper registration of a dog's pedigree, BSL does not take care of the real problem, bad owners. Instead it punishes responsible owners by restricting or even banning their beloved family pet. Owners who properly socialize, train and care for their dogs are forced to comply with these laws despite the fact they have done nothing wrong. Many good dogs are forced to be relocated to areas where BSL is not in affect, or worse many must be euthanized. If a breed is banned than it becomes more desirable to those who don't follow the law. Criminals who already own illegal substances won't have a problem owning a banned breed, thus adding to the stereotypes placed on dogs such as Pit Bull types. If they are caught and their dog is seized they'll simply locate another one. All the while the responsible owners are having to give up their pets. This provides a false seance of safety in a community. The responsible owners have complied with the regulations and bans and the criminals with their dangerous dogs have not, thus this approach will not stop dog bites or attacks, it could have the opposite effect.

BSL starts with a few breeds, then it will spread, one day it could be your breed of choice facing BSL. Speak out against BSL, these dogs don't have a voice, we must speak for them. Sign petitions, write letters to public officials, join online groups, let your voice be heard. It is responsible owners that must stand up and fight for their right to own the breed of their choosing.