Breed-Specific Legislation

As a dog-lover, my heart sinks whenever I hear about yet another dog attack. Nine times out of ten, it is what is considered a 'dangerous' breed--it is not often that you hear good stories about them unless they have been abused and found. Unfortunately, those are few and far in between in comparison to the attack stories.

I know that the constant publicity specifically aimed at portraying certain breeds as dangerous does more harm than good to all involved. Dogs then become abused because people think they are dangerous and must be kept in place through force. Then, when the dogs attack the people who are hurting them, it only reinforces this misled mentality. Therefore, people make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Both parties are harmed as a result.

Breed-specific legislation is not the answer to stopping dog attacks. There will always be rogues of all breeds, from Pomeranians to German Shepherds to Fila Brasileiro. BSL may cut down on the attacks of one breed, but not all. When dog-fighters and people who train animals to be vicious can no longer get a hold of that breed, they will find another to fill the void. The only way I believe that dog attacks can be lessened would be through careful screening of dog owners, regardless of what breed a dog is.