Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of being in the company of a normal pit bull will probably tell you that their experience was a positive and enjoyable one. Pit bulls that have been bred, trained, and raised with care and love are some of the most loyal, sweet, and fun-loving companions on the face of the earth. Sadly, these wonderful companion animals, that were once America’s favorite pet, have become the choice dog for the most unsavory and horribly cruel individuals, including dog-fighters, drug dealers, gang members, and cowards that need a “dog” to prove their “worth” on the streets.
A serious consequence of so many pit bulls ending up in the hands of such sadistic and cruel people is that these pit bulls are turned into dogs that can be dangerous towards other dogs and, sometimes, people. Unfortunately, the answer by politicians and communities to this problem has been breed specific legislation, or BSL.
Just as there is are negative consequences of good pit bulls ending up in the hands of bad people, so, too, are there negative consequences to BSL. Despite the intention and desire for BSL to prohibit cruel individuals and criminals from acquiring the pit bulls, the opposite is actually the case. Bad people still get pit bulls, breed them, and hide them in areas that are off-limits to everyday people and are difficult for law enforcement to get to, areas such as rural spots “in the middle of nowhere” or run down confined areas sections within our inner cities. It is extremely difficult, if not almost impossible, for police and humane officers to find and get to these dogs to help them. Law enforcement often depends on tips from people living nearby, but an overwhelming fear for their own safety prevents people from contacting police about the animal cruelty. Yet, while law enforcement and humane societies are unable to truly “save” or help these poor animals from the abuse and torture inflicted by cruel people, the good, law abiding citizens, those who can provide loving and caring homes for healthy and safe pit bulls, are prevented from doing so because of BSL. And, when the humane societies take in pit bulls that would make wonderful pets, they are forced to euthanize the animals, not because of temperament or dangerous behavior, but simply because of laws that discriminate against their breed. In other words, such discriminatory laws can allow for a potentially dangerous dog to live simply because it is not a pit bull, while a docile, loving, and highly-adoptable dog will lose its life for not other reason than it was born a pit bull.
BSL, unlike laws that target irresponsible and bad owners instead of breed, does not work and is completely unfair to pit bulls and to would-be wonderful and responsible pit bull owners. Therefore, one could logically assume that BSL must be unconstitutional, yes? Well, not according to a ruling just handed down by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
In a 7-0 decision, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that a Toledo pit bull ordinance does not violate the constitutional rights of dog owners. This decision reverses the ruling handed down by Ohio’s 6th District Court of Appeals that ruled the pit bull ordinance does, indeed, violate the constitutional rights of dog owners.
This week’s ruling by Ohio’s Supreme Court can be viewed and read here:
http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/rod/newpdf/0/2007/2007-Ohio-3724.pdfWhy is this relevant to Hawaii? It is relevant because Hawaii’s legislature and court system can follow suit. This ruling in Ohio can be referred to in support of breed specific legislation here in Hawaii.
So, what can you do to help protect pit bulls from cruelty and prevent legislation like this from coming to Hawaii?First and foremost, BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER, especially if you are a pit bull owner! Advocate strongly for legislation that fights against animal cruelty, not laws that eliminate the ability to own a specific breed of dog. Tell your legislators that IT IS THE DEED THAT IS EVIL, NOT THE BREED!
Obey Hawaii’s leash and license laws and respect the rights of those around you that do not own dogs.
Educate others about pit bulls. Tell Hawaii’s residents that pit bulls, by nature, are loving and loyal companions, not the monsters that the media and ignorant people make them out to be.
Educate children, our next generation of dog owners, that animals are to be loved, not used for entertainment, blood sport, or illegal purposes. Educate them to value the lives of animals, especially pit bulls. If they learn to respect, value and love defenseless animals, then they will learn to do the same with people. There is a direct connection between animal abuse and violence towards people.
Participate in any community discussions about pit bulls. Don’t sit back and allow those individuals who fear pit bulls, based on perception as opposed to fact, to dominate conversations related to dog ownership. Your opinion counts, too, so speak up and be heard on behalf of the pit bulls that cannot speak for themselves.[/i]
The facts prove that with the right amount of abuse, torture, and aggressive “training”, any dog can be turned into a dangerous and vicious dog. Sadly, the facts also show that cruel, criminal, and violent people will continue to commit animal cruelty no matter what laws prevent doing so. Given these unfortunate facts, the only way of preventing animal cruelty is not to ban certain breeds of dog, but to declare such abuse towards these animals as cruelty and then to strongly prosecute those offenders in ways that will prevent them from ever abusing animals again.
It is the deed that is evil, not the breed!BSL will never stop cruel people from being cruel to pit bulls. The only way to fight for pit bulls, and the society in which they live, is not to support BSL, but to support laws that fight cruel and abusive individuals that commit acts of evil towards this wonderful breed of dog.
Photo of a bully breed mixed dog, with no name, waiting for adoption at the Maui Humane Society. http://www.mauihumane.org/Adoptions/Adoptions.asp