What is BSL? BSL stands for breed-specific legislation. It need not apply to banning dangerous dogs but is also a useful tool applied in managing humane breeding standards in physiologically problematic breeds, the care and management of sporting breeds, etc.. As is most relevant here, breed specific legislation is legislation and ordinances passed to regulate or ban dangerous dog breeds, such as pit bulls and other blood-sport dogs from the mollossar group. Some common misconceptions or even outright deceptions propogated by the anti-BSL camp are; dogs are identified arbitrarily by sight, and by random professionals that could have little or even no experience with identifying dog breeds. While it is true that more sophisticated methods--such as DNA tests--cannot distinguish pit bull as an individual breed... (in fact, many fanciers laugh about the fact that their purebreds/prize winner DNA tests come back with absurdly wrong results, KNOWING their dogs are full well not just pit bull, but take pride in them being the epitome thereof), pit bulls are as readily identifiable as any long-standing, distinguishable breed by the cluster of lists identifying specific traits and body ratios according to UKC standards (or in the AKC under the guise American Staffordshire Terrier). In reality, in areas with pit bull bans, a dog in question must be identified by a cluster of attributes by animal experts like veterinarians, animal control, and shelter workers. For example; in Miami Dade County, there is a 47 point identification for establishing a dog as pit bull. Myth; BSL punishes good owners. Many people dont realize this, but BSL doesnt equate an outright ban. In many BSL areas, breed-specific ordinances may be a cluster of any of the following; (dogs must be) licensed spayed/neutered microchipped muzzled in public housed according to specific containment standards insured with a certain minimum of liability insurance All of these are reasonable parameters for responsible dangerous dog ownership. Truly responsible owners would be following such measures and only those deviant and seeking to avoid responsibility for the management of their dogs would feel punished. Many owners of other breeds, including toy breeds, already take such precautions because they understand that, much like driving a car, you must assume responsibility for ALL aspects of a privilege to maintain such privilege. Dangerous dog ownership is a privilege, not a right. Car ownership is a privilege, not a right. A car must be inspected, insured, and up to safety protocols; and these are inanimate objects with no free will of movement. That free will of movement is what makes it all the more important to appropriately maintain a high-risk animal. There is also the animal itself to consider; the benefits of neutering and spaying are myriad, and a dog that gets loose is subject itself to dangers; toxic substances in the environment it may consume, harsh elements, abduction, being hit by cars, etc.. Ergo, proper containment and microchipping are preventative and crucial tools in safe-guarding a pet, respectively. Myth; BSL hurts/kills innocent dogs. Hysterical anti-BSL lobbyists rail and compare BSL to the holocaust, invoking images of dogs being rounded up and euthanized en masse. The reality is; in the history of BSL, there has never been a mass round-up and euthanasia of banned breeds. When a ban is enacted, existing dogs are grandfathered into the area, and can be kept till the end of their natural lives according to the citys protocol--meaning adhering to microchipping, insurance, etc within a reasonable period. Owners that refuse to comply with such measures are issued a generous grace period in which to rehome their pet elsewhere. That same re-homing grace period is generally given to those who relocate into the area with banned breeds, as well.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 02:24:42 +0000
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