Fight the Deed Not the Breed

Fighting the Deed and Not the Breed

Breed specific legislation is exactly what it sounds like: regulation of your right

to own or, in many cases, not own a dog based solely on the breed or "type"

of dog that it is. Breed specific ordinances are quick fixes and not a sufficient long-term solution to the problem, far better than breed-specific bans are strict laws to control aggressive dogs of any breed or mix. These laws are known as generic vicious dog laws, they put restrictions on the ownership of dogs that pose a danger to people, restrictions such as confinement in locked, escape-proof kennels while outdoors on the owner's property; muzzles when the dog is off the property; and purchase of a liability insurance policy. Vicious dog laws and other aggressive dog laws only affect the dogs that fall into that category; they do not charge the innocent along with the guilty.

Stronger enforcement of existing dangerous dog laws is necessary in order to protect the public and the innocent dogs and responsible pet owners that could be affected if Breed Specific Legislation laws were passed. If these laws are not already in place, the public needs to lobby for protection from untrained and unsupervised dogs of any breed or mix. This is a broad-based effort that protects all citizens, as any dog can bite and be a nuisance when under the influence of an irresponsible owner. The owners who would deliberately train a dog to act aggressively towards people or other animals, or use dogs in the commission of a felony or misdemeanor should face additional penalties. These people are the problem, they are making their animals become a problem that none of them chose to be.

There also needs to be stronger enforcement to leash law violations. These violations seem to be a significant cause in vicious dog attacks. In areas without leash laws, animal control officers are powerless to catch loose dogs until they hurt someone. In areas with leash laws, the laws are usually weakly enforced and carry only minor penalties for offending owners. Many dog attacks reported in the news are committed by a loose dog or dogs running off their property (Understand 1). This not only endangers the public but also the responsible pet-owners and their leashed pets trying to enjoy a walk. Loose dogs can also form packs, and multiple dogs running in a pack are even more dangerous than a single dog, something needs to be done to stop dogs from roaming. Strengthening leash laws is an excellent place to start when addressing the issue of dog attacks. Remember, it's not the dog's fault it's loose - it's the owner's fault. Owners are responsible for containing their dogs. Higher penalties for owners who violate the leash law will discourage more people from slacking on their duties to contain their dog.

In addition to the leash laws, animal abuse laws also need to be enforced. Dogs can become aggressive as a result of cruelty, abuse, neglect, or improper care. All dogs need more than the basic food, water, and shelter stipulations that most communities have. A dog that is left alone in a backyard without socialization or mental stimulation can become unruly, destructive, and possibly aggressive. Chaining and tethering dogs is not only inhumane, it also fosters aggression. Chained dogs account for 25% of all fatal dog attacks (Understand 1). Physical abuse received from a person can make a dog distrustful of human beings and prone to attack out of fear. Communities need strong anti-abuse laws to put a stop to the owner-imposed neglect and pain that prompts some dogs to bite or attack humans.

Communities also need to crack down on dog fighting. This is another issue where lax laws and minimal funding often comes into play. Fighting dogs used to be consistently bred to be human friendly, but today, indiscriminate breeders and vicious individuals have transformed