No Bad Dogs, Just Bad Laws: 55 Million Dogs Registered in the United States
Running head: NO BAD DOGS 1
No Bad Dogs, Just Bad Laws
Shelley Richards
Kaplan University
CM220-23
Unit 9 Final Project
Professor Keller
December 10, 2010
No Bad Dogs, Just Bad Laws
. Rottweilers, Pit bull terriers, Doberman pinchers, German shepherds, Poodles, and Spaniels are just a few of the breeds that make up the 55 million dogs registered in the United States and they all have something in common; the ability to inflict harm by biting. When dogs are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled, they all have the potential to be dangerous and this potential is on the rise. Acting on the behalf of public safety, state and local legislators are mounting an attack on man’s best friend and singling out certain breeds as targets of their vendettas. Law makers are attempting to enact breed specific bans based on skewed and inconclusive statistics and prejudices fueled by biased reports created in the news media, while at the same time they are failing to address what is causing this problem; irresponsible dog owners. A more comprehensive review of the statistics might give legislators a clearer picture of the problem and how to deal with it.
There is no question that dog-bites and related injuries are a problem in many areas of the country. Statistics indicate that every year in the United States, approximately 4.7 million people suffer dog bites, of which, 800,000 seek medical attention, 386,000 require emergency medical treatment, and 12 result in death (Weise, 2005). In addition, according to the Center for Disease Control, reports of people being attacked by vicious dogs is on the rise (One Bite and Fido’s Out, 2006). Pressure from the private sector and the media pushed legislators to make hasty decisions. Proposed breed specific bans and restrictions were made by law makers in frenzied attempts to protect the public from
No Bad Dogs, Just Bad Laws
Shelley Richards
Kaplan University
CM220-23
Unit 9 Final Project
Professor Keller
December 10, 2010
No Bad Dogs, Just Bad Laws
. Rottweilers, Pit bull terriers, Doberman pinchers, German shepherds, Poodles, and Spaniels are just a few of the breeds that make up the 55 million dogs registered in the United States and they all have something in common; the ability to inflict harm by biting. When dogs are not properly trained, socialized, and controlled, they all have the potential to be dangerous and this potential is on the rise. Acting on the behalf of public safety, state and local legislators are mounting an attack on man’s best friend and singling out certain breeds as targets of their vendettas. Law makers are attempting to enact breed specific bans based on skewed and inconclusive statistics and prejudices fueled by biased reports created in the news media, while at the same time they are failing to address what is causing this problem; irresponsible dog owners. A more comprehensive review of the statistics might give legislators a clearer picture of the problem and how to deal with it.
There is no question that dog-bites and related injuries are a problem in many areas of the country. Statistics indicate that every year in the United States, approximately 4.7 million people suffer dog bites, of which, 800,000 seek medical attention, 386,000 require emergency medical treatment, and 12 result in death (Weise, 2005). In addition, according to the Center for Disease Control, reports of people being attacked by vicious dogs is on the rise (One Bite and Fido’s Out, 2006). Pressure from the private sector and the media pushed legislators to make hasty decisions. Proposed breed specific bans and restrictions were made by law makers in frenzied attempts to protect the public from
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