Breed Specific Legislation - Canines: You Decide

Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation

Why Breed-specific Legislation is not the Answer

A collection of links to the position statements of relative organizations on Breed Specific Legislation

Your next-door neighbor’s yippy Bijon Frise — who clearly has a serious Napoleon complex and a seemingly endless desire to draw blood from people’s ankles — may be far more likely to bite someone than your cuddly Pit Bull, but that doesn’t mean your insurance company cares. If you own one of the 11 “riskiest” dog breeds — which include Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Doberman Pinschers — you may face some big homeowner’s or renter’s insurance headaches, even if the only things your pup has ever taken a bite of are his Alpo and bone.

Arguments for and Against Breed Specific Laws

"But his greatest feat of all came the day he discovered and helped capture a German soldier who had crept close to the Americans and was mapping their trench lines. That’s when Stubby was promoted to sergeant and became the first dog to be given rank in the U.S. military."

"As the Germans withdrew they threw hand grenades at the pursing allies. STUBBY got a little over enthusiastic and found himself on top of trench when a grenade went off and he was wounded in the foreleg."

"A hero pit bull puppy saved a baby girl and her family from a nearby fire that spread to their home, according to the child’s mother."

"Owning a dog is not just a privilege-it’s a responsibility. These animals depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. If you are considering taking a dog into your life, you need to think seriously about the commitment that dog ownership entails. If you already have a dog, you need to consider if you are fulfilling all your obligations as its owner."

There was a time when the pit bull was one of the most popular family pets in the country. President Theodore Roosevelt, Gen. George Patton and Helen Keller all owned pits. But today, the breeds are more closely associated with gangs and violent dogfighting, making them among the most vilified — and unwanted — dogs in America. But are they really more dangerous or naturally aggressive than other breeds? Or should humans and bad training share more of the blame?

"I don't think pit bull owners should be locked out of the rental market," says Sullivan, who has two pit bulls and one pit mix. "I don't believe a pit bull as a breed is any more dangerous. I will judge each dog as an individual. If a person comes with a small white mutt and I think they won't be responsible, they aren't getting in."

"Pit bulls are great dogs -- don't overlook them. They take up as much as 90 percent of cage space at animal shelters across the country, so please be open to the Pit possibility. “The No. 1 trait in Pit Bulls is loyalty to their guardians,” says Berloni. “These great dogs deserve to have devoted, caring owners who are worthy of that intense loyalty.” No argument from Cesar. “Pit Bulls,” he says, “get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners.”