Breed Specific Laws: Nature Or Nurture?
...the sake of argument, let’s say that you are a dog owner, and you have had this loving animal for many years. Now, imagine one day an animal control agent has come to your house. Immediately when you open your door the agent hands you a court order, and serious instructs you to hand over your beloved dog. You begin to feel confused and violated as you take in the scene and read the legal documentation that was just handed to you. After a few moments of reading you realize, that you have been accused of owning a specific breed of canine that is banned from the city that you live in. Instantly, you remember receiving a few genetic flyers in the mail warning the public about new legislation that was recently passed in the city and it was dangerous dogs existing within the limits of the city. Laughing slightly, you tell the animal control agent, they must have the wrong house because, your dog isn’t dangerous at all and you even clearly state, and “my dog couldn’t even hurt a fly”. Surprisingly many states and cities in the United States have breed specifics laws (BSL) that ban or restrict the ownership of certain types of canine. “The majority of BSL is focused on breeds traditionally known as "dangerous," or those that have demonstrated particular propensities for aggression and violent behavior” (Weiss, 2001, 4). The responsbility that comes with the territory of owning a dog isn’t easy and being an irresponsible owner will put the dog, you and the public at risk. BSL is intended to increase public safety by targeting these specific groups of canine to hopefully prevent vicious dog attacks or bites from occurring. The nature of an animal’s wild side is undeniably a part of every dog however; responsible dog ownership allows the aggressive, dominant and unpredictable behavior of any dog’s temperament to be controllably tamed and maintained.
It has been thousands...
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