Eliminate Breed Specific Legislation in The US

We, the undersigned, petition the President, Senate and Congress of the United States, to draft and pass federal legislation banning Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

Breed Specific Legislation was originally adopted as a safety measure to protect citizens from attack by dangerous dogs, specifically the breed commonly called the Pit Bull. That soon expanded to include 75 breeds of dog, none of which are inherently dangerous. Statistics since the first BSL laws/ordinances were passed indicate BSL has failed miserably to achieve its intended purpose and has had detrimental effect on public safety.

In its mildest form BSL requires pet owners to spend thousands of dollars annually to keep their pets. In its most vicious form it allows animal control officers to go into a home and confiscate a pet and euthanize without recourse or due process. These animals need not have ever shown any aggression. They are guilty only of having been born. It is of little or no consequence that the dog may be a loved pet, working or service animal.

We are not ignorant to the fact that dogs are used by the criminal element as a means of profit, i.e., dog fighting rings. We ask that the law take note of the fact that BSL has no legitimate effect on this criminal element in that it addresses the dog, not the perpetrator. The dog(s) is/are merely another victim.

Therefore, we respectfully request Congress to pass and the President to sign federal legislation banning BSL and replace it with effective Owner Responsibility Legislation.