I am writing in response to the new talks of discriminatory regulations being considered for owners of "pit bulls."
First thing first, there is no such breed as a "pit bull." As it is, there are over 20 different and dinstinct breeds that are classified as "pit bulls" and many more mixed breeds that fall into the "pit bull" and/or "pit bull type" category. I bet that the vast majority of the general public does not have a clue about the 5 main breeds that compose the "pit bull" category. Also, the term "pit bull" is just as general a term as "hound" or "retriever".
I am not only a certified veterinary technician, but also an owner of American Pit Bull Terriers-just 1 of the breeds considered to be "pit bulls"-and a huge lover of this loving and courageous breed once much loved by America and owned by many past presidents. My dogs are not public nuisances nor have they ever been convicted of a "crime." As a resposnible dog owner, I obey the leash law and keepp my dogs properly confined at all times. Obedience and socialization is a must for all my dogs regardless of breed.
But this brings up the critical point of do all dog owners have to follow the laws or just "pit bull" owners? Instead of cracking down on responsible owners of innocent dogs, why aren't we cracking down on actually enforcing leash laws? Why don't we institute heavy financial penalties on those who choose to let their dogs, and even cats, roam loose? Why not enact a "1 bite and you're out" policy on all dogs that bite a human? It's obvious by the fact that people are being bitten by loose dogs that we've already got laws on the books that aren't being enforced either due to lack of financing, manpower, or both so how would imposing new laws truly help?
And in my opinion, stereotyping "pit bull" owners as law breaking criminals will only serve to bring harrassment upon the owners of these dogs, such as myself, and open the door to violence against these owners and even thefts of the dogs themselves. I am a firm believer in anyone with animals being required to carry an increased liability policy on their homeowner's insurance, but forcing owners to put up signs in their yards is not just downright rediculous, but we don't even force convicted child molestors and sexual predators to do such a thing.
I am not a criminal, my dogs are not criminals, and I will fight for them until my last breath. I suggest studying the information acquired from cities who have tried BSL only to reverse it due to the fact that it didn't work in the prevention of dog bites, loose dogs, etc., start enforcing the laws already on the books and quit using politics to give people a false sense of security.
