What is your opinion on BSL?

Question

What do you have to say about BSL? Do you think it will work? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you think that there are other things we could do to combat dog attacks without banning whole breeds?... I just want to hear what everyone really thinks about all of this!

I love that I have gotten so many great answers! I agree 100% with almost everyone!.. I am having trouble picking my favorite answer though. My top two, as of right now, are Shepherd... and ainawgsd. Both have wonderful answers! Both have said pretty much the same things that I normally bring up about BSL... so.. I dont know what my favorite answer is yet but I am soooo happy that I have gotten so many positive responses! Thanks everyone! : )

Answer 1

It has been proven that BSL does not work to eliminate or reduce the amounts of dog bites. I think BSL is just another way of AR groups trying to end all dog ownership. I think the media creates the fear of certain breeds and because of the fear that is created by sensationalizing bites from certain dogs, people believe what they hear and back BSL but what they do not realize is that once one breed has been banned, it will open the door to any and every breed being banned.
Here is an example of what will happen if people do not start paying attention to BSL, and my guess is that list will get bigger.
In Italy they started out with a list of 13 dogs on the dangerous dog list and the list has now climbed to 92 and the dogs on the list are not all large breed dogs there are dogs on the list such as Corgis, Schipperkes and Schnauzers.

This is exactly where we are headed if we allow BSL.

I believe that stiffer penalties (jail time and hefty fines) should be imposed on people who use dogs for illegal purposes or for people who chose to keep dangerous dogs. I bet if you had to go to jail and/or it hurt your pocket people would be more inclined to research dogs before they got one. People need to be educated about dogs in general, they need to understand pack mentality and behavior. What people need to do is start being responsible when chosing and raising a dog. They need to quit buying dogs based on looks alone and be honest in their ability to handle certain breeds because not all breeds are suited for everyone.
The bottom line is until the law starts making people responsible for their actions and the actions of their dog, BSL will change nothing except make certain dogs breeds extinct. I fear that if BSL is not stopped eventually we have have to visit dogs in the zoo with the rest of the wild and dangerous animals.

Punish the deed not the breed.

Answer 2

BSL has not resulted in a decrease in the number of dog bites in areas where it has been enacted. In the few places where dog bites did decrease after a ban was enacted it has been shown to be EDUCATION and NOT the ban itself that resulted in the decrease.

Banning specific breeds will not change the underlying problems behind dog bites. Irresponsible owners will still be irresponsible and continue to do things that result in dog bites. Uneducated people will continue to be ignorant about how to behave around dogs and continue to do things that provoke dog bites. The worst scum (those who abuse their dogs and otherwise encourage aggressive behavior...who are often also engaging in illegal dog fights and drugs) won't even care that their dogs are illegal...it may even make them more desirable. And RESPONSIBLE dog owners, the ones who are doing things to make sure their dogs are least likely to bite, who own these breeds will suffer. Plus, BSL can lead the public into a false sense of security, which could actually make the bite problem worse! After all, if the government has banned the dangerous breeds, then all the dogs on the street must be safe, right?

A better answer to the bite problem is to enact non-breed specific dangerous dog laws and EDUCATE the public. By educating children how to behave around dogs (not running and screaming, don't ever approach a dog without the owner's permission, etc) and teaching dog owners the importance of socialization, containment, and training will go much further than just "getting rid" of the breeds commonly percieved as being the problem. Stricter enforcement of leash laws already on the book along with more severe penalties for the owners of dogs who cause serious injury will put the responsibility back where it belongs...squarely on the shoulders of the irresponsible OWNERS.

Answer 3

Personally I think BSL is BS. It will not solve the problem. Because even if you got rid of one breed the will be another and another. Some people just should not own some breeds. I think if a breed is deemed a problem then a person should have to obtain special permits and have special precautions (like fencing insurance etc. Some dogs that attack are owned by irresponsible people who do not care. But if you make it owning a certain breed difficult or monitored they are not going to wan the reponsiblity or cost. It protects the dog from being exploited and hurt plus innocent people. And there should be enormous fines for those who violate it.

Answer 4

I don't agree with BSL. Like most of the people above I feel it is an owner problem not a breed problem. I can't even imagine why they would put Huskies on this list. I have two and they are the sweetest, gentlest dogs I've met. I've met some great pits too.

It's too bad irresponsible owners and breeders can make it so people will have to get rid of their pets.

Answer 5

I think BSL is stupid. I owned or own some of the breeds on the list and they are not dangerous. It's the people who own them. I have had Pit bulls and have friend who have them, that are one of the most docile dogs I've seen, but then i have seen ones who aren't. I have also seen dogs that are suppose to be the best breeds and they were the meanest ones I had been around. Each animal is different. Animals do what they are taught. Plus, almost everyone owns one of the most dangerous animals there is.. the common house cat. should we ban the ownership of them??

Answer 6

I posted this once before, but I can't remember where...

http://www.stopbsl.com/

Cool website that details why BSL sucks, who has it, who doesn't, alerts, etc. Be sure to check out the link on the left "Read about it." The author takes a hypothetical look at the effect BSL would have if implemented in her neighborhood. It's very enlightening! She also details how other laws (like no-chain laws or harsher penalties for irresponsible owners) could be implemented realistically and the more postive effect it would have on safety (versus BSL).

The author has another site, happypitbull.com, which is my personal favorite for great and positve pit bull info.

Answer 7

BSL is a whole bunch of BS.

The reason is, there is no such thing as a "bad" breed of dog. There are bad individual dogs, there are badly bred dogs, there are bad breeders, and there are bad owners. But there's no such thing as a breed that is vicious, or dangerous, or difficult.

Dogs, like people, are individuals. And like people, much of the dog's temperament depends on their genetic makeup (their parents) and, to an even bigger extent, their upbringing.

If you beat a dog or tie it up outside without any human contact, why is anyone surprised that the dog is scared and territorial? It doesn't know any better.

People love to comment on "how well behaved" a dog is when they see a well behaved dog in public - guess what - they don't come that way. There's no such thing as a well-behaved dog. Only well-raised, well-TRAINED dogs!

Answer 8

I think it should be call the Bull Sh!t Law. Its rediculous. Im not thinking it will work. There are so many mixed breeds and new breeds will fill the void. The police need to start cracking down more with irresponsible people. Rotties, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Presa Canarios, Dobermans, Cane Corsos, Huskies, Boxers, and mixes of these are in danger. We had to have our dobie put down recently and it was really a stab to the heart. She never hurt a flea??!! Why ban these great dogs? :( It seriousely makes me what the cry.

Answer 9

I think it sucks! Why these people can't even identify a pit bull for crying out loud.

I think we should have BSL for people that are responsible for these aggressive dogs. As I always agreed with the saying Ban the deed not the breed. I blame people wholeheartedly and believe they should take responsibility for anything that occurrs with their dogs.

Answer 10

i think it's B.S!! lol i own a rottweiler and an APBT and they are my kids as well, so i know exactly where you're coming from.

i hope it doesn't work...to me it's racial. that's like saying that just because you're african american, hispanic, asian, or white you can't live in certain states. it's just wrong. my thing is that i feel that they should ban all the "problem breeds" and not just the ones they feel are "problem breeds" such as all the bully breeds. if they want to get technical, ban the yorkies and the cocker spaniels that bite children as well. dont just go for the bullies. thats what it comes down to...it's always "well, it's a pitbull" and thats just bull LOL

i would love to keep in touch with you ... i see we could have a lot in common LOL