They have suggested alternatives to BSL, which include, among others, behavior based legislation, sanctions, use of media, community outreach and education, and stricter licensing requirements, among others (AVMA, … My city has BSL. New Zealand also bans the four breeds from importation or breeding. The third level of licensing is the On-Lead Public Licence, which would allow a person to take their dog walking in public but only with the lead attached. Help! UK data on dog attacks and dog bites pre and post implementation of BSL shows no difference in the incidence of dog bites, with 73 percent of all bites requiring medical attention occurring both before and after implementation of the legislation. At the point of applying for a licence for a special breed, a potential owner would have to consider whether they have the right lifestyle and the possible consequences of owning such a dog. Mixon argues the relationship between dog attacks and barking results from a phenomenon called “shaping”. A once proud owner of a Rottweiler, Bartlett said he does not have a hard and fast view on BSL but understands that “blanket condemnation of particular breeds does not give a fair picture. BSL can range from something as mild as a higher licence fee for specific breeds to an all-out ban, including mandatory destruction of any prohibited dog found within the boundaries of the legislating jurisdiction. As the majority of dog bites involve children, this is a key age group to target in dog bite prevention education. “He said with the amount of evidence we have, there is a good probability the High Court will throw out the entire breed list. Jake enjoyed playing with the neighbours children who came by regularly and loved to sleep with Helens 13-year-old nephew inside the bed. Dettmar said the Bull Terrier was added to the Federal Breed List in Germany several months after the initial law was put into power, not because it is dangerous or known as a breed high on the list of bite statistics, but because “it is a member of the FCI Group III (Terrier Group) and is in body and character the same as the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.”. Set up low cost, or free, dog training and dog behavior help that will encourage people to train their dogs and to better understand the importance of basic obedience and dog behaviors. “I was frightened I would cost my dog his life,” she said. What breed am I? In the past decade, many states in Australia have passed Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) with varied restrictions relating to the breeds nationally banned from importation: the American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. In Queensland, Helen* rescued a Pit Bull from a lifetime of fighting. She said none of these animals showed aggression towards humans. Breed specific legislation first came into being in the early 1980s after several fatalities occurred following attacks committed by dogs. The ADA 15 B. It allows seizure of other breeds, but the rules are not applied homogeneously by councils. Published on November 01, 2000 ... 2000 issue of the JAVMA indicate that breed-specific legislation is not the solution to dog bite prevention. Conversely, studies can be referenced that point to clear, positive effects of carefully crafted breed-neutral laws. Isabel Williams from the councils Animal Welfare Services said they have no evidence to prove that the Dog Owners Licence (DOL) test has reduced bites/attacks in their area since it began running 15 years ago, but it does encourage responsible dog ownership. Alternatives to Breed Bans. Does BSL Work? Bullenbeisser (German Bulldog) Old English Bulldog; Toy Bulldog; Gallery. This is a broad-based effort that protects all citizens as any dog can bite and be a nuisance when owned by an irresponsible owner. She was actively protesting the Pit Bull ban before the Queensland government banned the breeds, but when Jake came into her life, she had to support quietly through the EDBA. Stun before slaughter. Set up low cost, or free, spay and neuter programs, that encourage people to have their dog altered. Suggested Alternatives to Breed Bans 1. Thesis: Breed specific legislation is a controversial topic in which I am very interested and would like to explore both sides of the issue to perhaps learn something new. I emailed the following list of ideas - which is by no means comprehensive - to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Breed Specific Legislation. The article One City’s Experience outlined the process of getting a breed ban passed in the city of Denver, CO. *Breed specific legislation is ineffective as it does not focus on the root of the problem - irresponsible dog owners. Alabama rot. First, dog owners should be required to take an education class before applying for a dog-related licence, regardless of the level of certification they seek, to learn about selecting the right dog, training their dog, canine development and other issues. Mixon said the US Centre for Disease Control has recommended dog owner education programs as a means of dealing with the nations epidemic of dog bites. How to Use the Map: Use the zoom feature to hone in on specific areas of the country. He suggests implementing a licence for people who own special breeds the powerful small dogs as well as the powerful large dogs. + Alternatives. To encourage responsible ownership, legislation should focus on . “The Pit Bull is not a dog for everyone. Alternatives to balloons and sky lanterns. They feel that dogs attack people who deserve it for one reason or another. Representing a state that has the most severe laws regarding banned breeds, Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett spoke to Dogs Life about where he stands on the BSL issue. Germany has a nationwide import ban on the Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier, plus crosses of those breeds. I agree the way an owner treats a dog is far more likely to influence that dogs behaviour than the breed of the dog”, he said. Breed specific legislation is a bad idea and we encourage people to speak out about it however they can. Posted on March 6, 2012 by Good Pit Bulls Admin | There are other alternative to breed bans and breed specific legislation. The report revealed that, during the past 20 years, at least 25 breeds of dog have been involved in 238 human fatalities. Responsible dog ownership is the most effective way to reduce the number of dog bites and attacks. Most popular alternatives to breed specific legislation in the US. Autumn. What happens when a dog walker’s dog doesn’t walk. The laws are divided into two general categories: (1) states that prohibit breed-specific legislation (BSL) in all animal regulation (9 states); and (2) states that only prohibit BSL in dangerous/vicious dog laws (15 states). These dogs have done nothing,” she said. Some city/municipal governments have enacted breed-specific laws, as has the State of Ohio. Helen always lived with the fear that one day Jake would be taken by authorities and put to sleep. Rather, owners will simply choose another breed to continue their cycle of irresponsibility. More details . Caroline Zambrano investigates the possibility of dog licensing to replace and the alternatives to breed specific legislation. Breed specific legislation removes the responsibility from the dog's owner and places it solely on the dog itself. Breed alone is a poor indicator of whether or not an animal is going to be aggressive towards humans, so “eliminating the breed is not the solution”, she stressed. "Breed-specific" legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain breeds completely in the hopes of reducing dog attacks. The worst thing is – it usually doesn’t make any difference nor makes the community safer in any way. Does BSL Work? It was the aim of these early laws to identify certain breeds as “inherently dangerous to society.” It should be noted that dogs are not the only animals to have faced breed-specific legislation. To own a dog in Germany, Dettmar said one must licence the dog and pay a dog tax. Housing and BSL. If expressed, aggression was directed toward other dogs. He agrees the Pit Bull breed has a strong bite to hold, but other dogs, like the Cattle Dog, can do equal damage, so he wonders where the government will stop with BSL. Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL, is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. “Breed-specific” legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain breeds completely in the hopes of reducing dog attacks. Re: Proposed Breed Specific Legislation (OPPOSE) Mayor Todd Kuhns. There are many practical alternatives to these laws that would provide adequate protection to the general “He came to a place with no violence. Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Kirksville, Mo. Floods. Implement strict dog ownership laws, that include ordinances for containment regulations, minimum care, noise nuisance regulations, and overall owner liability. Laws As accurate breed identification proves difficult, she suggested assessing a dog by behaviour (temperament assessment) rather than by appearance to determine whether an individual animal be subject to restrictions. Another idea to help in the fight against dog attacks comes from an American author and educational psychologist specialising in canine behaviour. Educating parents and children is critical for decreasing the number of dog bites. Laws No more guessing games. While experts are taking the “ban the deed, not the breed” approach, state governments are doing the opposite. Many cities have the Fighting Dog Tax for people who own a breed on that citys restricted breed list and this tax can be as high as 800 to 1200 Euros for the first dog and higher for additional ones. The laws, which were passed to reduce the number of dog attacks, may help victims of such attacks feel more secure when stepping out into the street. “Our lawyer is one of the top in Germany for fighting federal laws and has never lost a case,” said Dettmar. Extinct breeds. Specific Purpose Statement: To invite my audience to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and the alternatives associated with breed specific legislation. By Dean J. Monti. 1. Dogs Life found out from animal experts in Australia and overseas why this legislation will not work if passed and discussed alternative and more effective ways to reduce dog attacks, such as licensing dog owners. Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Kirksville, Mo. The Dettmars have 10 official studies that prove none of the breeds in question acts any differently in situations to any other breed of dog, with two of the studies focusing only on the Bull Terriers temperament, socialising skills and problem-solving methods, all videotaped without the presence of humans. Most popular alternatives to breed specific legislation in the US. Breed specific legislation: Considerations for evaluating its effectiveness and recommendations for alternatives September 2005 The Canadian veterinary journal. It focuses on specific breeds, which fails to appreciate a dog is not aggressive purely on the basis of its breed. Repealing breed-specific legislation. The third alternative to breed banning is to provide adult dogs with appropriate care, meaning always be in control of the dog, make sure dogs are properly trained, and react to and correct aggressive behavior should it arise. -BSL/Pit Bull Initiatives - creating training opportunities, identifying effective alternatives to breed specific legislation. Jun 4, 2013 - Explore Michelle Rafferty's board "End BSL", followed by 153 people on Pinterest. Breed specific legislation rips dogs away from responsible pet owners and drives irresponsible owners further underground. However, she stopped breeding because she said it was too hard to find responsible owners. (This report is available online by the Department of Local Government on www.dlg.nsw.gov.au, titled “Companion Animals Report to the NSW Department of Local Government on Breed Specific Legislation Issues Relating to Control of Dangerous Dogs”.). Summer. Such laws range from outright bans on the possession of these dogs, to restrictions and conditions on ownership, and often establishes a legal presumption that such dogs are dangerous or vicious. Related articles. -Strengthening the enforcement of existing local ordinances and state regulations. "Breed-specific" legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain breeds completely in the hopes of reducing dog attacks. These alternatives can serve as long-term solutions to dog problems, as well as create fewer problems that are commonly associated with dog breed laws. Fight breed-specific legislation to protect dogs and strengthen communities. The holder of this licence would be forbidden from taking his dog out in public and be required to pass a city inspection of his property to ensure his dog is properly confined in a humane and escape-proof enclosure and that warning signs are prominently posted. 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