Why Are Breed-Neutral Dangerous Dog Laws Necessary?
Good, breed-neutral dangerous dog laws are necessary to keep communities safe. It is important, however, that such laws address the behavior of owner and dog and also uphold the constitutional rights—including the right to due process—of individuals and their pets. In addition to the impact of breed-specific legislation on a personal level—the forced separation of responsible dog owners from well-behaved companion animals who happened to be classified as the “wrong breed”—BSL fails to acknowledge that any dog can bite, and that the breeds with “bad reputations” change over time. Individuals who want to possess aggressive dogs will always find a way to do so—ban or regulate one breed, and another will rise in popularity to take its place. Today, American pit bull terriers and similar-looking breeds are most often targeted, but not long ago, Dobermans, Rottweilers, German shepherds and even bloodhounds were particularly feared. Unlike breed-discriminatory legislation, however, breed-neut
Good, breed-neutral dangerous dog laws are necessary to keep communities safe. It is important, however, that such laws address the behavior of owner and dog and also uphold the constitutional rights including the right to due process of individuals and their pets. In addition to the impact of breed-specific legislation on a personal level the forced separation of responsible dog owners from well-behaved companion animals who happened to be classified as the “wrong breed” BSL fails to acknowledge that any dog can bite, and that the breeds with “bad reputations” change over time. Individuals who want to possess aggressive dogs will always find a way to do so ban or regulate one breed, and another will rise in popularity to take its place. Today, American pit bull terriers and similar-looking breeds are most often targeted, but not long ago, Dobermans, Rottweilers, German shepherds and even bloodhounds were particularly feared. Unlike breed-discriminatory legislation, however, breed-neut
