Breed Specific Legislation - Canines: Banned!

Can you imagine looking at someone and judging their entire personality just by how they look? It may be unfair, but some dog breeds experience that prejudice every single day.

PetHelpful reports that the pit bull is banned more frequently than any other breed — despite the fact that it’s not actually a singular breed. The term “pit bull” actually applies to several breeds and mixes of breeds, but all of them face stigmas as “aggressive” and “dangerous.” PetHelpful notes, “Every time there is a biting incident, especially if it is serious, a pit bull is blamed. It does not matter if the dog is not a pit bull, since no matter what the dog breed involved, if no one identifies the dog it is assumed to be a pit bull.”

The dangerous dogs act was a law passed in the United Kingdom in 1991 aimed to try to reduce the number of dog attacks by specific breeds.

"You might be surprised to learn that some of America's most beloved dogs are considered bullies. From large-and-in-charge boxers to small and stout Boston terriers, there are a variety of dogs that fall under the category of "bully breeds." Many of these dogs have unfair reputations for being dangerously aggressive -- especially pit bull breeds like the Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier and American pit bull terrier -- but they actually make for very loyal and loving pets."

"Today's profiling of pit bulls contrast with the dogs' image in the first half of the 20th century when pit bulls were often cast in films as trick dogs and comic sidekick rolls."