WHAT IS BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION?
BSL is a blanket term for laws that ban or regulate certain breeds in hopes that dog
attacks/bites decrease.
BSL DOES NOT REDUCE DOG BITES:
There have been several scientific studies published which support this claim.
According to the National Canine Research Council (NCRC), BSL has not
decreased bite-related injuries wherever in the world it has been enacted.
To read an analysis published in Journal of the American Veterinary Association, please click here.
CERTAIN BREEDS OF DOGS ARE NOT MORE LIKELY TO BITE OR INJURE THAN OTHERS:
There is NO scientific evidence that one breed of dog is more likely to bite or injure a human versus another. There has been evidence collected for over 40 years and in two continents that no group of dogs should be considered disproportionately dangerous. Please review the following articles for further information referenced by NCRC and JAVMA.
1. Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of the Breed: JAVMA
3. Breeds Involved in Fatal Dog Attacks: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA)
4. Preventable Factors in Dog Bite Related Fatalities: JAVMA (Breed was not a factor)
a) Variables included chaining, sex of dog, spay/neuter status, location (inside vs outside dog), owner mismanagement, etc.
5. Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention: JAVMA
BREED IDENTIFICATION:
BSL is particularly ineffective because identification of a dog's breed is based solely on appearance and physical "standards" that are subjective. See the below article for information regarding the disparity between DNA based and appearance based breed identification.
*All information taken from the National Canine Research Council (NCRC).
TEXAS STATE LAW PROHIBITS BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION:
To contact Texas state senators regarding BSL click here.
To locate and contact your representative regarding BSL click here.
THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS OFFER FURTHER INFORMATION ON BSL:
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