Breed-Specific Laws and “Dogscrimination”
A few years ago, my sister told our family she was adopting a dog from her local shelter. When she brought home a three-year-old pit bull, my mother was angry to say the least. We are a family of dog lovers, but for some reason, my mother wanted nothing to do with my sister’s new dog.
I was beyond confused and asked her what the big deal was. My mother, along with so many others, regardless of if they are dog owners, believe in the practice of regulating, or restricting breeds. It’s safe to say we’re all aware of the stereotypes labeling pit bulls and other notable breeds as potentially “dangerous” pets. This comes from the stigma that these breeds are violent in nature and frequently attack humans and other animals. Here we will discuss the practice, implications, and consequences of breed-specific legislations.
What is Breed-Specific Legislation?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) explains the history of breed-specific legislation (BSL) going back to the 1980’s with the rise of pit bull ownership among gang members. This led a number of states to begin implementing restrictions and bans on certain breeds of dogs.
According to Alyssa Castle from the Angus Post, breed-specific legislation, by definition is “a law that bans OR restricts certain types of dogs based on their appearance, usually because they are perceived as ‘dangerous’ breeds or types of dogs.”
This wording is troublesome for me, since the appearance of a dog is being evaluated, rather than the dog’s actual behavior. The problem with these discriminatory laws is that, dogs are animals. This stigma could be erased by responsible dog owners, but too often they are looked over and attention is only given to incidents of poor or improper training.
The “Problem” With Pit Bulls
Although it is true that pit bulls and other restricted breeds can be bred to attack or fight, the extent of their aggression is often misunderstood or exaggerated. BSL supporters claim that pit bulls are inherently dangerous no matter how they are trained or raised, because violence is in their DNA. Charlotte Alter of TIME Magazine shares that along with discriminatory legislation, some groups say that breed-specific sterilization of pit bulls is the solution. This program would require mandatory sterilization for all pit bulls, making it so they cannot reproduce. Along with diminishing the future proliferation of their breed, some have suggested euthanizing the existing population of these dogs in shelters.
Even PETA, the largest animal rights organization in the world has taken a stance against pit bulls. Daphna Nachiminovitch, PETA’s senior vice president of cruelty investigations stated that, “pit bulls are a breed-specific problem, so it seems reasonable to target them, the public is misled to believe that pit bulls are like any other dog. And they just aren’t.”
The Truth is in the Training
So, what is it about pit bulls specifically that earned them such a bad rap? They are a highly intelligent breed, much like a German Shepard, they are easy to train. This has led to them being trained for the purpose of dog fighting and used as attack dogs, but how can that really be considered their fault?
Marcy Setter of the Pit Bull Rescue Center, denies all claims that pit bulls are inherently aggressive, “There is not any breed of dog that is inherently more dangerous.” Her organization opposes BSL and breed-specific sterilization claiming they are ineffective and don’t penalize irresponsible owners. Moreover, Sara Enos, founder of the American Pit Bull Foundation says that it’s wrong to blame dog attacks on the dogs themselves, because it’s usually the owners who are at fault. “It really boils down to being responsible owners,” she said. “Any dog from any breed can be aggressive, it matters how it’s treated.” In response to the growing animosity towards the breed, TIME Magazine reported in 2013 that pit bull owners across the country are trying to “rebrand” the breed, insisting that pit bulls can have a softer side when treated humanely.
Consequences of Breed-Specific Laws
Dogs suffer. In states where breed-specific laws are mandated, owners are not giving their dogs up, but rather keeping them inside to avoid detection. Imagine for a moment that your beloved pet is banned where you live. This means they will be unable to socialize with other dogs, unable to receive medical attention through veterinarians, and unable to get proper vaccines or training. This reality causes more harm than good, for both people and their pets. Responsible owners suffer too. Owners of friendly pit bulls are not excluded from these regulations. This can make it difficult or even impossible to find housing, as many apartment and leasing companies have firm BSL restrictions.
Are Breed-Specific Laws Effective?
Just like people, there are good and bad dogs. It is unfair to label an entire breed as dangerous due to instances of improper training. Dogscrimination is real, and rampant in our country. Data revealed in TIME Magazine states that pit bulls currently account for 63% of the dogs put down in shelters, but only 38% of the admissions.
Despite claims made by support organizations, pit bulls are still renowned as a dangerous breed, which is why breed-specific legislation still exists. The ASPCA published a map in April 2020, showing the states that have began prohibiting BSL. As of April, 21 states have prohibited breed-discrimination laws, with 29 states still allowing them. Even with half of the country acknowledging the unfairness of these laws, there is still lots of work to be done. The CDC has even stated that, “there is no convincing data to indicate that breed-specific legislation has succeeded anywhere to date.” Meaning that, there is zero evidence concluding that BSL laws make communities safer for people or other animals. Even after a study of human fatalities resulting from dog bites, the CDC publicly and strongly opposed breed-specific legislation.
Regardless of breed, there are a number of other factors contributing to a dog’s level of aggression. These include early experience, heredity, sex, socialization, and training. In summary, the truth is in the training. Dogs are highly impressionable, which in most cases leads to a socialized, loyal companion. My sister just celebrated her pit bull, Daisy’s 6th birthday. Daisy is the goofiest and sweetest girl, who just so happens to be a pit bull. After meeting her dog, it is unclear to me how people could support breed-specific laws. It is unjust and unrealistic to assume a dog’s demeanor based on its breed alone.
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