http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/poppysopinions/breedspecificlegislation/ Did you know that if I was a certain dog breed I would be illegal in the UK? If I was a pit bull type, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino or Japanese Tosa, the police could seize me and put me to sleep just for being me, – even if I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. These breeds have been banned by the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) – a very unfair law. It wouldn’t matter if I was the nicest, friendliest dog in the entire universe without an aggressive bone in my body – they could kill me just for being born one of these breeds, or for being imported into the country.
Dog experts generally accept that the environment (i.e. the way a dog is brought up and the conditions around it) probably has a greater effect on the temperament and behaviour of a dog than his genetic make-up, or breed. Put simply, the way a dog is brought up, socialised and trained, exposed to punishment or praise and generally treated etc has much more to do with how aggressive he/she may turn out to be, than his actual breeding. It may be true to say that some breeds can be more easily trained than others to be aggressive towards people (inadvertently or on purpose), but this doesn’t mean that we can assume that every individual of that breed will turn out to be like that.
The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) was introduced very quickly in 1991 following a spate of high-profile, headline-grabbing dog attacks on children. At first the media concentrated on the Rottweiler and German Shepherd Dog – although neither breeds ended up being banned. Later the pit bull became the centre of media attention; used for illegal dog fighting, as well as a family pet. The pit bull is one of the most popular breed types in the USA and the majority live as cherished family pets, so why was the pit bull (and three other breeds with few, if any, individuals in the country) singled out in this country?
One of the problems with pit bull types is the fact that their jaws and facial muscles are so strong that they do a lot more damage when they attack than other breeds. Actually, you’re far more likely to get bitten by a crossbreed or a dog you know than a pit bull type, but the damage caused is usually relatively minor and so we don’t hear about it. The media also love the whole ‘devil dog’ or ‘hound from hell’ image, which is so much more shocking to the public; a big, strong dog provides a better story and photo-opportunity than, say, a small lap-dog!
The DDA is unfair because it assumes that any dog suspected of being a pit bull type is guilty and it is up to the owners to disprove this; a case of “guilty till proven innocent”. The Pit Bull Terrier is not a Kennel Club recognised breed, so without an ‘official’ pedigree and breed standard it is difficult to prove or disprove that a dog is a pit bull, and how do you prove the parentage of a crossbreed dog? Many innocent crossbreeds, as well as purebred Kennel Club Registered Staffordshire Bull Terriers were taken away and destroyed or held by the police in secret kennels for long periods of time (even years) just for looking like a pit bull type. What makes it worse is that the description of the breed type used by police and ‘experts’ is so vague that many smooth-coated, muscular breeds of dog would fit most of it!
Surely every dog should be judged on his/her own behaviour, rather than his heritage or the way that he looks? After all, traditionally ‘gentle’ or ‘solid’ temperament dog breeds can be aggressive and attack humans if they’ve been badly bred, had the wrong upbringing with little or no socialisation, been treated badly, are provoked, are in pain or through irresponsible actions of the owner.
I really do think that dogs should be judged on their actions and not on their genes.
Do you agree with me? My question to you is, is breed-specific legislation (i.e. laws which ban certain breeds) sensible, or should the law be changed so that all types and breeds of dogs are allowed, but each individual dog is judged just by how he or she acts?
Please email me and let me know!
Until next time, when I'll be barking on about another hot hound topic,
Best woofishes,
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Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:35 pm by Lorz
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