Opinion | Justice for pit bulls as a breed
Editorial: As featured in volume 111, issue 5 of The Collegian.
Several states across the U.S. have breed-specific legislation (BSL), meaning it is legal for counties within these states to regulate or place bans on certain dog breeds. The most common breed affected by these laws are pit bulls. I have found that nearly 1,000 cities have some form of BSL in place, limiting the amount of areas where pit bulls or pit bull mixes are welcomed. These regulations can prohibit one from selling, owning, breeding, or transporting pit bulls in the area. They can also enforce the use of muzzles in public, or require proof of liability insurance and a permit. Owners or other individuals caught violating these regulations may be fined and even sentenced to jail. It is also not uncommon for the dog to be euthanized.
The reasoning behind these bans and regulations is typically based on labels society has given pit bulls, such as “vicious,” “dangerous” or “aggressive.” These labels are generalizations that do not accurately describe each individual dog of any breed. Labels are just that: generalizations and stereotypes. Individual dogs should not be treated differently just because they resemble, even slightly, a certain breed. This is all starting to sound like another familiar topic: racism. Racism is defined as “prejudice or discrimination directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular group”. Replace “person or people” with “dog or dogs” and we now have dog racism.
Pit bulls have developed a bad rap. This is detrimental to them because they are being surrendered from perfectly loving homes or euthanized, simply for association with their breed. I have a friend who lived in Andover when her family adopted a dog from the humane society in Wichita. The dog was part pit bull, and although the humane society knew this (and that the family lived in a city with a pitbull ban), they did not prevent the family from adopting. Coco was a very sweet girl and the family became very attached. One day Coco chased someone down the street, likely not intending any harm. Understandably, the individual was scared anyway, and unfortunately this led to a vet visit, during which the family would unexpectedly lose their beloved pet.
I have two dogs that are half pit bulls and I absolutely love them. Paisley is now an old woman who still loves to greet every individual she sets eyes on. Maui is an energetic boy who wishes he could spend every second of his life playing fetch. He may bark like he’s a big tough guy, but he’s actually a big wimp! I live in an area where pits are welcomed and I wish every area could be more like this. I think it is time for communities to come together and knock down all BSL’s regarding this loveable breed. Bring justice for pit bulls!