ADVOCACY
The Inefficacy of BSL
PPG is watching closely developments in Montreal, Canada on the proposed ban of “pit
bull type dogs,” which came into effect at the beginning of October but was suspended indefinitely two days later, and has added its voice to the many canine behavior
professionals and animal welfare organizations who have issued statements indicating
T
why Breed Specific Legislation is ineffective. Here are some excerpts from PPG’s
Position Statement on Breed Specific Legislation
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Photo of Cooper: Kelly Fahey
he Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is be- Force-free, science based training. coming increasingly alarmed at the - Ensuring that dogs are paired within number of dogs being seized or banned in appropriate households. a variety of communities worldwide based purely on their breed or appearance, alBSL Defined legedly in the interest of public safety. At BSL (also known as Breed Discriminatory the same time, there is little, if any, assessLegislation) is a law or legal ordinance that ment of an individual dog’s behavior or enrestricts or prohibits the ownership of cervironment, their owners’ knowledge of tain breeds (or types) of dogs. In places canine behavior and training, and/or their where BSL has been implemented it varies suitability as a dog guardian. from a complete ban of certain types of PPG holds that Breed Specific Legisladogs to regulations imposing restrictions on tion (BSL) such as this paints an unjust picownership and special requirements includture of certain breeds of dogs and punishes ing, but not limited to, mandatory muzzling; responsible dog guardians unnecessarily. leash laws; special ‘housing’ (for example, PPG considers BSL to be ineffective in dog fully enclosed cages); chaining; minimal wall bite prevention and the safety of the public enclosure height; mandatory microchipping; at large, and opposes any law or regulation tattoos; registration documents; mandatory that discriminates against dogs based spay/neuter policies; yearly veterinary purely on breed or appearance. Rather checks and reports stating the animal has no than approach the issues of dog bite predisease or injury that could make him/her Breed Specific Legislation does not take into vention and public safety via such unsatis‘especially’ dangerous; prohibited access to account a dog’s behavior, owner or home factory means, PPG is of the opinion that public spaces especially, but not limited to, environment and depends, more subjectively, on appearance alone educating pet industry professionals, pet those frequented by children; transfer or dog guardians, and the general public in canine cognition, comsale notification requirements; and registration of the dog on munication, and the use of science-based, force-free pet care and local, provincial and national registries. Other requirements relattraining methods are by far the most effective means of reducing ing to the owner/ handler may include minimum age; proof of dog bites and ensuring greater public safety. mental and physical capacity; lack of criminal record; special ‘danPPG recognizes that any size or type of dog can bite. Breed, gerous dog’ handler’s license; civil responsibility insurance; and however, is not a good predictor. proof of training. Note that this list is not exhaustive as the laws PPG holds that a neutral approach should be taken to evaluand restrictions vary from country to country, state to state, and ate dogs on an individual basis, focusing on behavior and environ- county to county. ment, rather than appearance. Singling out specific breeds as dangerous provides the public with an unfair perception of those Which Breeds Are Most Often Affected by BSL? dogs while potentially creating a false sense of safety as far as Regulated breeds usually comprise “pit bull” type dogs. However, other dogs are concerned. PPG believes instead that a combinathe breeds targeted vary in different countries and even in differtion of the following is needed in order to reduce the number of ent states or counties within the same country. American pit bull dog inflicted bites: terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American bulldogs, Public education. Staffordshire bull terriers and English bull terriers are often inOwner education. cluded in the “pit bull group,” wherein the term “pit bull” is used Shelter and rescue organization education. generically for a number of closely related breeds such as these. Positive, early socialization. In some cases, too, dogs who are thought to resemble a pit bull BARKS from the Guild/November 2016