BS Laws

My+dog+Rocky+deserves+better+than+these+laws.

My dog Rocky deserves better than these laws.

Crystal Iniguez, Reporter

Cesar Milan, a famous dog trainer, says, “A breed is like a suit of clothes, it doesn’t tell you anything about the dog inside.” Across the United States, breed-specific laws are being passed. These laws are being placed to ban a particular breed or restraining a breed based on its appearance. Usually, the BS laws are full bans, but they may also exist as restrictions in certain cities. Most of these bans are placed based on misconceptions about the breed.

Since the beginning of the bans, many breeds have been targeted, such as Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers (“Pit Bulls”), Chow Chows, German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, and the list will continue to grow. These breeds are commonly considered “dangerous” or those who demonstrate aggression or violent behavior. During the 1980s, a number of deaths and injuries caused by these certain breeds brought attention to the public, and the public began demanding breed-specific restrictions.

But many animal experts believe that these laws are not the answer. The American Veterinary Medical Association believes that these bans would not help any of these breeds. If these bans continue to grow then maybe these laws will be used in shelters. If the dog that fits into these characteristics then maybe the dog will be euthanized based on its appearance and not given the chance to be adopted. All these dogs should be given a chance to be adopted and find their forever homes. These bans are expensive laws to keep. In 2001, it was estimated that this would cost almost $750,000 to enforce these laws.

In recent years, there at least seventeen states trying to fight against these laws. As of 2014, states such as Maryland, Vermont, South Dakota, Missouri, Utah and Washington state are jumping on the bandwagon to promote anti-pit bull bans and anti-BSL.There are many groups anti-BSL that are hoping to get things overturned as well. Such as the group “Don’t Bully My Breed.” This group spreads awareness on these topics throughout the United States.