Breed Specific Discrimination
ENC1102-0000
October 7, 2013
Breed Specific Discrimination
Every day in the United States, there are innocent bystanders and cherubic children that are being ripped to shreds by pit bulls. Or at least that is what the media would have you believe. On average, it is believed that pit bulls kill 19 Americans per year. The real question that should be considered, but that usually is not, is exactly what is a “pit bull”? Generally speaking, when someone utters those two little words, the breed that comes to mind is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Athletic, determined, and fearless, it is a commonly believed myth that these dogs are born and bred killers with jaws that lock and a higher bite force than any recorded breed. Never mind that both of these beliefs are false. Or that there are, in fact, over twenty seven breeds of dogs that look like the American Pit Bull Terrier but are completely different, contributing to a bad rap that the breed in question does not always deserve. The real concern should be why there are so many advocates for the rights of pit bull related breeds, but so few for the other dogs affected by Breed Specific Legislation, a ban on dog breeds that truly solves nothing.
While it is no secret that bully type dogs are most commonly affected by BSL, there are multiple other breeds that make the lists. The Rottweiler, the Doberman Pinscher, the German Shepherd Dog, the Dalmatian, and the Chow Chow are examples of popular breeds that are considered dangerous in the United States (Breed Specific Legislation). Ironically, each of the dogs listed are commonly used as working dogs and k-9 Units, including the American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds. They are also seen in therapeutic and assistant work, accommodating the physically impaired as guide, hearing, and service dogs as well as comforting residents of hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. A good temperament is a general requirement for a therapeutic or service dog (IAADP), and because
October 7, 2013
Breed Specific Discrimination
Every day in the United States, there are innocent bystanders and cherubic children that are being ripped to shreds by pit bulls. Or at least that is what the media would have you believe. On average, it is believed that pit bulls kill 19 Americans per year. The real question that should be considered, but that usually is not, is exactly what is a “pit bull”? Generally speaking, when someone utters those two little words, the breed that comes to mind is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Athletic, determined, and fearless, it is a commonly believed myth that these dogs are born and bred killers with jaws that lock and a higher bite force than any recorded breed. Never mind that both of these beliefs are false. Or that there are, in fact, over twenty seven breeds of dogs that look like the American Pit Bull Terrier but are completely different, contributing to a bad rap that the breed in question does not always deserve. The real concern should be why there are so many advocates for the rights of pit bull related breeds, but so few for the other dogs affected by Breed Specific Legislation, a ban on dog breeds that truly solves nothing.
While it is no secret that bully type dogs are most commonly affected by BSL, there are multiple other breeds that make the lists. The Rottweiler, the Doberman Pinscher, the German Shepherd Dog, the Dalmatian, and the Chow Chow are examples of popular breeds that are considered dangerous in the United States (Breed Specific Legislation). Ironically, each of the dogs listed are commonly used as working dogs and k-9 Units, including the American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds. They are also seen in therapeutic and assistant work, accommodating the physically impaired as guide, hearing, and service dogs as well as comforting residents of hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. A good temperament is a general requirement for a therapeutic or service dog (IAADP), and because
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