No BSL New Mexico

From the Pit Bull Rescue Central website, I have linked a game called "Find the Pit bull". The significance of this game, while seemingly childish, is very powerful. Many folks are willing to attribute horrible acts to pit bulls, yet struggle to correctly identify a pit bull - the pit bull game is a perfect example of this.

Take into consideration that not everybody is able to correctly identify "pit bulls" - a term that is often times used to include several separate breeds - and apply that idea to those that are providing information on dog bites: law enforcement, animal control, journalists, and John Q. Public. The point? It is very likely that a good number of incidents attributed to pit bulls did not involve a pit bull at all. This is a very plausible scenario.

Many that seek to set the record straight on Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) claim there is a strong media bias influencing public perception of certain breeds, which in turn influences legislators.

The following is an excerpt from a National Canine Research Council (NCRC) evaluation of news reports and pit bulls:

On June 4, 2008, at least 29 news articles were run on a story about a Los Angeles boy "mauled by a Pit bull." Some of the headlines were:

"LA toddler hospitalized after being mauled by Pit bulls" - Fresno Bee

"2-year-old stable after pit bull bites his face" - LA Times

The Mercury News even reported that two Pit bulls attacked the child. Another article described the dog as the "family Pit bull." The Los Angeles Times reported the boy in "critical condition after he was bitten by a pit bull."

Perhaps the media should not bear the brunt for this serious error, as the source of the breed mis-identification was found to have originated from the Los Angeles Police Department.

The LAPD should not attempt to identify breeds of dogs or comment on canine behavior. The average police officer is no more skilled in breed identification than is the average reporter. Perhaps in the realization of this, the LAPD later referred all inquiries on the dog involved in this incident to the city's animal services department.

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services released a statement declaring the dog involved in the attack on the boy was "in fact a shepherd mix."

Note: Acknowledgement is given to the Los Angeles Times for printing a "For the Record" remark on the erroneous breed identification of the dog in this incident. On June 7th the LA Times printed the following: "An article in Thursday's California section about a boy attacked by his family's dog quoted authorities as saying the dog was a pit bull. The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services said Friday that the animal that bit the toddler was a shepherd mix."

However, this small retraction cannot possibly undo the damage that was done by the media. All the headlines run by the LA Times which initially identified this dog to be a Pit bull have not been pulled and can still be found in the LA Times archives.

Additionally, more than one attorney website and dog bite "advocacy" website has picked up this "Pit bull attack" story and posted it on their website as additional "evidence" of the nature of Pit bulls.

Here is a snippet from a media source sensationalizing a "pit bull attack." The report goes on to describe a hectic and troubling scenario in which a young girl was in danger.

Folks, I hope you all are giving a fair amount of consideration to the power of suggestion, and the media's influence over public opinion. Now, factor in the understanding that pit bulls have been sensationalized by the news media for decades; and as a result are feared, and legislated against, in a manner that is not only rediculous but unwarranted. Good dogs die. Good owners lose their dogs. Public safety is not increased. Tax payers get the bill.

Many folks involved with animal concerns (IE. how our society deals with animals) seek to make a positive impact - a good thing, right?

In this pursuit, most will become aware of the many organizations that work toward this end.

However, some folks that get involved may not stop to think about the unintended consequences that may come from their donations and support.

This blog entry from Lindsay Biddle at the APBTNetwork Blog gives a look at the distinct differences between Animal Rights and Animal Welfare.
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Breed Specific Legislation does not take the appropriate approach toward increasing public safety with concerns to dogs.

The assumptions that allow BSL to be enacted are flawed, and do not address why dog bites occur – the most important aspect in working toward public safety.

Often times, BSL will come about after a well-publicized “dog attack.”

In general, the dogs involved are said to be at least one of a handful of breeds: pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherds, or chows.

This in turn causes a concern among some in the community, and legislators are pressured to pass new legislation in the name of public safety.