Bob Thomas wants to keep breed-specific legislation (BSL) in place in Eatonville ("List pit bulls as dangerous," Dispatch, Aug. 20), implying this is the trend in common-sense legislation. In fact, according to the National Canine Research Council, between January 2012 and May 2014, more than seven times as many municipalities repealed or rejected proposed BSL than enacted it. Five more states no longer allow such laws; 97 cities repealed breed-specific legislation previously in their codes; 61 rejected proposed BSL. Only 21 enacted BSL, in most cases trying to pinpoint the pit bull or pit bull mix dogs as prohibited. What is a pit bull? Who decides when a dog has enough pit bull to be prohibited? What about rottweilers? This breed reigned for a while as causing the most human fatalities. And if a dog kills someone in the U.S. every 10 days, as Thomas points out, the risk to you or me is far less than death by aspirin, or domestic violence, or a falling coconut. Laws can't be created or enforced based on what the subject looks like. It comes down to behavior. Any dog that is responsibly parented will safely mix in social settings. Reporting to authorities, in detail, when one witnesses potentially dangerous behavior on the part of a dog, along with thorough followup investigations (this is a public safety issue,) will identify those dogs who won't mix safely. Those are the dogs that should be declared as dangerous, and, along with their owners, be subjected to far greater restrictions, not a dog that happens to look like a pit bull. What is more proactive, and fair, than holding all dog owners responsible for the humane care, socialization, training and appropriate behavior of their dog?
Bob Walter (Editor: Mr. Walter is an Eatonville Town Council member and has worked with the town on stray animal control and pet licensing).
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