Pit Bull Research Paper

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B) Breed Specific Laws Are Based On Identification Alone, Which Causes An Adverse Impact On Both Pets And Owners. What is especially problematic with the modern denigration of the “Pit Bull” is that particular classification is nominal of an ever-widening class of pit bull or terrier-like dogs. "Pit bull," as generically used by the public, is not actually a specific breed of dog. No registered kennel club, including the American Kennel Club, recognizes pit bull terrier as a breed. The name “Pit Bull” could refer to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog with similar genetics from the bull or terrier families. The United Responsible Dog Owner Groups Inc. estimates that the term "pit bull" is used to…show more content…
Sometimes the term “pit bull” could be used as short hand in order to refer directly to the American Pit Bull Terrier. This is more likely to be true if Pit Bull is written with capital letters. Often times, the term pit bull is used to describe any shorthaired, blocky headed, muscular mutt. The problem therein is BSL can target many canine pets whether or not the dog's breed composition actually includes any breeds traditionally thought of as "pit bulls." Unfortunately, many other breeds including Boxers, Akitas, Chows, and American bulldogs, amongst many others, also share these traits and are unintentionally impacted by ordinances that target pit…show more content…
When limited animal control resources are used to enforce a ban on a certain breed of dog, without regard to behavior, the focus is shifted away from the effective enforcement of the laws that have the best chance of truly making our communities safer: dog license laws, leash laws, animal fighting laws, anti-tethering laws, laws facilitating spaying and neutering and laws that require all owners to control their dogs, regardless of breed.7 When a law makes owning a breed of dog illegal, consequently criminals are attracted to that breed. Unfortunately, certain individuals take advantage of the “outlaw” status of the pit bull and use ownership promulgate their own criminal self-image.7 Ironically, the rise of Pit Bull ownership among gang members and others in the late 1980’s corresponded to the first round of breed-specific legislation7; and thereby self-defeatingly increased the harmful utility of the

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