Breed Specific Legislation Failing Globally

[RottnBullies]

Breed specific legislation failing globally

Breed specific legislation failing globally

June 30, 10:24 AM

After almost six years of costly enforcement of breed specific legislation, (BSL) Italy has lifted its breed ban and is replacing it with a law that will hold owners accountable for their dogs. In September of 2003, Italy placed into effect laws that banned or restricted 92 breeds including not just controversial breeds such as the Rottweiler and Pit Bull, but breeds such as the Corgi and Border Collie. Italy later dropped the deemed dangerous list to 17 breeds, and just this past April, removed the restrictions all together. In light of the new law, Health Undersecretary, Francesca Martini said "This is a historic day because we have established for the first time the responsibility of the owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the animal."

Dog advocates and experts globally have argued that dogs are individuals and aggression cannot be pinned on specific breeds as a whole. Many share the thought that banning an entire breed is nothing but a costly band-aid fix to quiet the hype caused by the media. Until owners are held responsible for their negligence, incidents will continue to occur even if specific species are eradicated.

Possibly following suit to Italy's new reversal on BSL, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has ruled in favor of an appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Denver, Colorado breed ban, which currently restricts owners with American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bulls, American Bull Dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and dogs that appear to be mixed with the listed breeds. Since the Denver ban was re-enacted in 2005, over 1,000 dogs were subsequently euthanized. In their decision, the Tenth Circuit Court is quoted to say "with its affections for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, [the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is] a foremost all-purpose dog."

In 1988, in Dade County, Florida, a breed ban was enacted. In 2002, it was estimated that over 50,000 of the banned breeds were residing there.

In 2001, Baltimore, Maryland spent an estimated $750,000 just to enforce breed specific legislation. Unbeknownst to many tax payers, BSL is very costly. Examples are given using the Economic Impact Calculator.

June 9th, 2008, Holland lifts its breed ban against Pit Bulls after discovering that fifteen years of BSL did not decrease the number of dog bite incidents. After euthanizing many puppies that had Pit Bull appearances, they concluded that physical traits did not pre-determine temperament.

Ignoring statistics and efficacy of BSL, Canada remains firm on their stance to ban specific breeds. On June 9th, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear the appeal to remove their ban on Pit Bulls. In 45 years, there had only been 1 reported fatality resulting from a "Pit Bull" attack in Canada, out of 47 cases of fatalities involving at least 100 dogs, most of which were sled dogs. The one listed incident was the result of provocation by a drunken roommate.

Charlotte currently does not enforce breed specific legislation with the exception that Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes cannot be adopted from the Charlotte Mecklenberg Animal Care and Control, (CMACC) Facility. Members of the rescue community are trying to help present solutions to change the city legislation preventing their adoption, without putting the dogs in danger of being adopted by fighters.

In hopes to provide more than a band-aid fix, programs to promote responsible ownership are sprouting throughout the country in an effort to help with breed discrimination caused by negligent owners.

For more info: Visit the National Canine Research Council, and Pit Bull Rescue Central BSL, or email Sara at [email protected]

Italy Revokes Breed Ban

Italy Revokes Breed Ban

April 1, 2009 : 1:08 PM

Official Claims Law Had No Scientific Foundation

When in Rome…

Italy will eliminate its list of dangerous dogs—replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet's training and behavior.

The new law, effective in April, will eliminate the current list of 17 breeds which are considered potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, bull mastiffs and American bulldogs.

Under the current law, owners of blacklisted breeds are required to keep them muzzled in public places and ensure that they pose no danger to others. Failure to respect the law can result in the animal being put down.

New Law Puts Responsibility On Owner

The new law is built on the foundation that any dog, regardless of breed, can potentially be dangerous and it puts the responsibility—morally and legally—on the owners for a dog's behavior.

Says Health Undersecretary Francesca Martini, "This is a historic day because we have established for the first time the responsibility of the owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the animal."

The new law forbids training dogs to be aggressive using sticks and protective body gear, doping, surgery that is not for health purposes and dangerous cross-breeding. The law also makes veterinarians responsible for compiling a register of individual dogs who they believe may be potentially high risk, requiring owners to keep those pets muzzled in public.

Martini added that the previous law had no scientific foundation and compared it to a "fig leaf over the larger problem."

USA Needs to Follow Suit

Despite this, many communities in the United States are currently considering enacting breed bans.

Says Ed Fritz, Best Friends' campaign specialist for Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog, "Italy's decision to end its ban on dog breeds is further evidence that breed discrimination just doesn't work."

He adds, "Rather than breed-discriminatory restrictions, communities should mirror Italy's example and put the onus on the owner with good comprehensive dangerous dog/reckless owner laws."

Additional Information and Resources

• Read the article about the removal of Italy's breed ban.

• Join the Stop BDL community for more information on how you can help put an end to breed discrimination.

• Learn more about breed bans and dog bite facts at the National Canine Research Council.

Photograph by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

[reddog21]

Thanks for posting. Slowly the tide turns to more responsible solutions

[arawnhaus]

Things can only change when we accept the problem and fix it.

Great article.