Persuasive Essay - Breed Specific Legislation

Persuasive Essay

Bonnie Espanol

COM/215

August 14, 2012

Oleah Morris

Persuasive Essay

Breed Specific Legislation

The current event happening across the nation is Breed Specific Legislation is rules and regulations that ban any breed of dog listed as a vicious dog. Breed specific Legislation has affected and affects family members, friends, and myself not only here in Utah but also in Midwest City, Oklahoma. In conclusion, although vicious dog bites and attacks done by the Pit Bull Terrier, has resulted in discrimination to dog breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier , which considered by some as American Pit Bull Terrier when in fact, the these two breeds are different breeds as a result of genetic testing.

Breed Specific Legislation

Breed-specific legislation--commonly known as BSL--aims to ban or highly regulate certain dog breeds in the hope of reducing dog attacks. BSL can be enacted by governments of any size, from small towns to entire nations ("Breed-Specific Legislation (bsl)", 2012). This legislation was created to lower dog bite and attacks by dog breeds that associated as a vicious dog. Beside the American Pit bull and the American Staffordshire terrier there are other breeds on this list include Bull Mastiffs, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Huskys, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, and Wolf hybrids.

The legislation does have problems there has documented failure of this legislation. Animal control and law enforcement officers often have the problem of proof when determining the breed of any dog accused of the violation. Finally, it should be distinguished that Breed Specific Legislation is harmful to both humans and animals, thus bringing nothing but heartache to the human and animal concerned and results in the deaths of thousands of innocent dogs simply because of their look. Although people continue to be harmed or killed from dog attacks and dogs not considered a dangerous dog. There is also the high cost in the extermination and the disposal of these breeds as a result of bans and restrictions on these dogs.

If the goal is to offer communities better protection from dogs that might attack, then thoughtful legislation that addresses responsible dog keeping is in order. Legislation aimed at punishing the owner of the dog rather than punishing the dog is far more effective in reducing the number of dog bites and attacks. Well enforced, non-breed-specific laws offer an effective and fair solution to the problem of possible dog bites or attacks in all communities ("Breed