I am writing a research paper for the final in my Honors writing class at the University of Utah. The topic I have chosen is breed specific legislation. I am currently in the research phase and would love any and all input and opinions you have. Whether you know a little or a lot on this subject, I would really appreciate your general reactions. Please answer the questions below and feel free to add whatever else is on your mind. Thanks so much!

What are your general thoughts about breed specific legislation (BSL - the outlaw or restriction of certain breeds, namely "bully" breeds)?

Do you own a "bully" breed or other breed targeted by BSL (such as german shepherd, malamute, husky, akita, chow chow, rottweiler, doberman, great dane, etc.)?

Why or why not?

Do you have children?

Does this affect your feeling toward these breeds (biasing you against them, or conversely, concreting your love for them)?

Have you or an immediate family member ever been bitten or attacked by a dog?

What was the breed?

What were the circumstances (food aggression, provocation or some
sort, etc.)?

Do you think it's constitutional or ethical to outlaw certain dogs based solely on breed (keeping in mind that animals are considered property)?

To animal professionals (veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, trainers, etc.):

Were you taught to be wary of certain breeds or one breed over another in your formal education or training?

If so, which ones?

What were the reasons given for these specific breed biases?

Has personal or professional experience made you wary of certain breeds?

If so, which ones?

What experience(s) influenced these feelings?


Thanks again for your time and participation!

[reeskujo]

What are your general thoughts about breed specific legislation (BSL - the outlaw or restriction of certain breeds, namely "bully" breeds)?....
I think it is wrong to ban a breed when it's almost always the fault of an irresponsible owner when the dog has attacked or shown any form of aggression.
Do you own a "bully" breed or other breed targeted by BSL (such as german shepherd, malamute, husky, akita, chow chow, rottweiler, doberman, great dane, etc.)?....I own an Akita and a Husky

Why or why not?....I've owned Akita's for almost 20 years because they are a very loving,loyal and protective family member...I own a Husky because she has such a loving and funny personality she always keeps me smiling.


Do you have children?..Yes and grandchildren

Does this affect your feeling toward these breeds (biasing you against them, or conversely, concreting your love for them)?...Not at all

Have you or an immediate family member ever been bitten or attacked by a dog?....I have

What was the breed?....A Poodle

What were the circumstances (food aggression, provocation or some
sort, etc.)?..I was grooming the dog

Do you think it's constitutional or ethical to outlaw certain dogs based solely on breed (keeping in mind that animals are considered property)?...No I do not

To animal professionals (veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, trainers, etc.):

Were you taught to be wary of certain breeds or one breed over another in your formal education or training?..No

If so, which ones?

What were the reasons given for these specific breed biases?

Has personal or professional experience made you wary of certain breeds?...NO

If so, which ones?

What experience(s) influenced these feelings?


Thanks again for your time and participation!

I am writing a research paper for the final in my Honors writing class at the University of Utah. The topic I have chosen is breed specific legislation. I am currently in the research phase and would love any and all input and opinions you have. Whether you know a little or a lot on this subject, I would really appreciate your general reactions. Please answer the questions below and feel free to add whatever else is on your mind. Thanks so much!

What are your general thoughts about breed specific legislation (BSL - the outlaw or restriction of certain breeds, namely "bully" breeds)?

It is discrimnating, it does not deal with the real issue of responsible dog ownership, once it begins where does it end? As breeds are irradicated from society, which breed will then be named as the next problem breed and for what reason?

It does not stop those that want to own these so called "dangerous breeds" for the wrong reasons, it is merely a speed hump, those that are keeping dogs for fighting etc very rarely register their animals, so hence will not be effected as much as the responsible family that neuter and register and do the right thing. they are the ones that hold the danger to society, but also go under the radar because their dogs are not registerd, vetted or have a well known trail of the dogs existence.

Do you own a "bully" breed or other breed targeted by BSL (such as german shepherd, malamute, husky, akita, chow chow, rottweiler, doberman, great dane, etc.)?

Male Akita

Why or why not?

after much research the akita most suited the nature of our family and the nature of dog we were after, including appearance.

As a relatively aloof natured family, we needed a companion who too would have an aloofness, an instinct to protect us and our property, a breed that is not an escape artist by nature, a lazy big dog, we wanted a spitz type breed, a breed whose nature is faithful but yet not needy or overly dependant but moreso more capable of coexistance.

Do you have children?

Yes daughter 7 YO

Does this affect your feeling toward these breeds (biasing you against them, or conversely, concreting your love for them)?

Not really, I have always been wary around dogs regardless, any dog regardless of size or breed can be prevoked to bite or respond poorly, at the end of the day we can not communicate with a dog like we do human to human, but like us, all dogs have a diffrent threashold as to where they react to prevokation. It is truly a matter, as an owner of a dog to understand fully what may or may not prevoke your companion, and to keep him or her out of situations that may cause over excitement, stress, anxiety or over reaction.

Have you or an immediate family member ever been bitten or attacked by a dog?

yes, myslef

What was the breed?

Mini poodle

What were the circumstances (food aggression, provocation or some
sort, etc.)?

I was in early teens this dog did not like people under a certain height, had not been socialised with young people, owned by an elderly lady, dominant and protective dog. true little dog syndrome.

Do you think it's constitutional or ethical to outlaw certain dogs based solely on breed (keeping in mind that animals are considered property)?

Not at all, breed banning does not solve the problem of some peoples inability to understand that a dog needs to be taught good manners in our society, and that dog ownership is a privilege and a responsibility that we take on for 10+ years and that as the owner of a dog regardless of breed, that it is up to human to ensure full control of the animal and that they are taught to be a good member of canine community.

Thanks again for your time and participation!

Would love to see your paper and hear your perspective of it all, it it a pro BSL? Against? or a neuteral study?

What are your general thoughts about breed specific legislation (BSL - the outlaw or restriction of certain breeds, namely "bully" breeds)?

I think the bully people that make the dogs bullys should be outlawed.


Do you own a "bully" breed or other breed targeted by BSL (such as german shepherd, malamute, husky, akita, chow chow, rottweiler, doberman, great dane, etc.)?

Yes, 2 shepherds

Why or why not?

Just adopted from a rescue not looking at breed first,but at dogs that needed a home.

Do you have children?

Yes, 2

Does this affect your feeling toward these breeds (biasing you against them, or conversely, concreting your love for them)?

Dogs are dogs first then breed. I have seen good shepherds and bad shepherds. Its owners neglect thats the problem.

Have you or an immediate family member ever been bitten or attacked by a dog?

Yes, I have.

What was the breed?

Dash hound


What were the circumstances (food aggression, provocation or some
sort, etc.)?

None, he was sleeping next to me and next thing I new he bit my face.


Do you think it's constitutional or ethical to outlaw certain dogs based solely on breed (keeping in mind that animals are considered property)?

No


To animal professionals (veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, trainers, etc.):


Were you taught to be wary of certain breeds or one breed over another in your formal education or training?


If so, which ones?

What were the reasons given for these specific breed biases?

Has personal or professional experience made you wary of certain breeds?

Yes

If so, which ones?

Bully breeds like you listed.

What experience(s) influenced these feelings?

Becuase they are usually owned by unpredictable owners. Who raise them to be bullys. Not all, but I get a feel for them first before Im comfortable.

Thanks again for your time and participation![/QUOTE]

Thanks for all of your responses! They were helpful and held some interesting insights.

Originally Posted by nattiej1976

Would love to see your paper and hear your perspective of it all, it it a pro BSL? Against? or a neuteral study?

My paper will not be done for a few months, as it is a HUGE semester-long project. It should be ready around April if you're still interested then. It's a persuasive paper against BSL, focusing on American rights to property, due process and other constitutional rights. Basically the legality and ethics of it all. I am against BSL and find it absolutely appalling. I'm a veterinary technician and am currently working on a biology major to go to vet school. I'm also working on opening a molosser breed rescue in the very near future with a collegue of mine, so I'm pretty passionate about this issue and the breeds involved.

Thanks again for all the input!