Fight The Deed Not The Breed
...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...
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