by Jackie Fitzgerald and J. Thomas
Many people want to know how they can help stop the spread of breed-specific legislation. Here are some ideas.
- Educate yourself on BSL and the breeds and types of dogs affected by it.
- Educate friends and family about BSL and the breeds and types of dogs affected by it.
- Teach kids about safety around dogs.
- Write to your legislators. Let them know, in a polite, civil way, that you do not support any form of BSL.
- Join a local anti-BSL dog group, or create one.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper voicing your opinion on breed bans or biased dog-attack articles in a rational and courteous manner.
- Train and socialize your dog. Well-behaved canines, particularly breeds or types that are discriminated against, are always a great antidote to BSL.
- Hold a booth at a fair to educate the public about BSL and the breeds and types of dogs affected by it.
- Post flyers at pet stores, dog parks, groomers, and vets explaining what BSL is and why it is a problem; if BSL is being considered in your area, post information about how to speak against it.
I’m just a kid, what can I do?
Children can help just as much as adults when it comes to fighting BSL! Here’s a list of what you can do to help:
- Learn about dog behavior. Don’t let yourself become a victim of a dog bite.
- Know how to protect yourself from dogs. The site http://www.be-a-tree.com/ has great tips on how to prevent dog bites
- Support your local shelter. Shelters always need pet food, pet toys and money to help their animals.
- Write a paper for school. [Ed. note: I know from experience that this can be a great way to educate people on the flaws of BSL.]
Thank you for doing your part to help stop BSL!
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Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 
I dont think we need to punish the breed!! However we need to punish the people who mistreat or CHOOSE to make the dogs fight. It is all how you raise the dog not the breed..
I just read about FL HB 189 and SB922 in the South Florida Sun Times (April 30th) and would like to help. Is it too late to sign a petition? Can you direct me to a Petition? I own an English Staffy and have two Pit Bulls and one Boxer as neighbors. I’m sure their owners (and the people in our community that love our dogs) would also be interested in signing a petition. I don’t have enough knowledge about how to do a petition myself, help me participate in fighting this.
Thanks.
I live in England and own an Old Tyme Bulldog although he is npt a pitbull from the checklist I would say he has atleast 7, I think the checklist is absolutely insane that proves nothing there are so many dogs in the world that can fit that description.
A dog is not BORN aggressive just like a child you mould them into how YOU want them to be, surely it should be the owner that suffers and not the breed! we must make a stand for these amazing dogs, they are loyal, great family pets and ONLY EVER AGGRESSIVE WHEN TRAINED TO BE SO LIKE ANY OTHER BREED!!
Goldie was / is the love of my life.We were told to watch out because our 13 week old bundle of joy was going to grow into a dangerous dog. and that we should not allow him to be around our children.He was pit,rott and shepherd mixed and ill tell ya from the first moment that i saw his picture I fell head over heels in love with him.Goldie was not just my dog he was my best friend and very much a big part of my family.He loved to sleep with our cat,he loved to play with our female husky Roxie and he was great around children and strangers.We lost our dogs as a result of a house fire on Christmas Eve and while its been 4 years since they have been gone the loss is still fresh in our hearts.Goldie was only with us for two years but he matters and i could never imagine someone taking him from us because of what breed he was or what he looked like.
Whats happening all over the world to these dogs makes me sick and while its not happening to me I will stand up and do whatever it takes to stop this insanity.
My 14 year old daughter made this video because she cares.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7w0Qm1N8ps
What If the bsl is already in affect and has been for a while…. What could be done to change that?
Jackie, the best thing to do would be to get in contact with local breed clubs that oppose the laws and encourage others to do so.
Write to your local law makers and city council that you disagree with current laws, explain why you disagree with them, and what could be done instead of a breed ban.
Get the word out by posting flyers, having a booth at a fair, ect. Encourage other people to speak out, and see if you can find records of bites in your city.
The above list applies to municipalities with and without BSL, and thank you for wanting to stop BSL!
Hi, I would love to help with in any way I can so stop discrimination agaisnt poor innocent dogs. I would love someone to contact me to help me start a group in miami florida aganist the bsl.
Instead of trying to band the breed why don’t you find the people that are fighting these dogs and help the dogs put them mean people behind bars. its not the dogs fault there owners are stupid. try to do more on stopping dog fighting and stop punishing the dogs for what there owners are doing. thank you
Hi Everyone – I’m so impressed by all your responses and I have also been a target of discrimination because I own a pit bull, don’t get me started on the hotels that allow dogs but won’t allow pits….just nonesense!! I also own a German Shepard, both dogs are from the shelter, and great dogs!
You won’t believe the comments I get, “you’re dog will attack you in your sleep,” “your dog looks mean.” What hippocrats, my pit has been attacked by a Chihuhua and and English Springer, she never fought back because she wouldn’t hurt anyone. I currently live in Yolo County, CA, and a surrounding county of mine (Auburn) is trying to impose the BSL on four pits that attacked a 17 year old kid but of course the media (which is a lot of the problem blowing up how pits are bad) doesn’t state how the pits were owned by an irresponsible owner who couldn’t maintain his dogs in the first place. Would the media focus too much attention if they were 4 labs, right??? Any breed can be capable of attacking someone in the conditions that those pits were in. I will be attending the council meetings in Auburn and be an advocate for these dogs. This is gotten out of hand because the media has glamourized the situation and the medias in all states.
We have to campaign against the BSL in every state as I would never let anyone take my dog away from me because she looks mean!! Even the ones that look nice are the most vicious, ridiculous!! We can also prevent pit bull fighting, it all starts at the shelters that need to impose stricter guidelines. Screen your dog buyer, run a criminal background, follow up visits to the home, my local shelter isn’t even doing this. If the dog buyer doesn’t want to go through this, then it’s a deterrent because someone without a criminal record shouldn’t have an issue with it. Dog fighting can be deterred at your local animal shelter.
Thanks everyone!!
AGAINST BSL!!
Kristin
Hi
I just recently came across a website just to read up on pitbulls and good training methods and read the article on BSL. I’ve always heard about the things they were doing with certain breeds and I wasn’t to happy but I never put much concern into it since I didn’t have one of those breeds affected by BSL. Over the last couple years I have become more curious about what these laws are about and how I don’t agree with them. Some of my family has always been agains Pit Bulls in particular just because of the bad things you hear about them. But where are all the stories about the really good dogs and amazing family companions they become for many people. I recently got to discover how great the breed is when me and my boyfriend ended up with a pit bull/english bulldog. He’s an amazing dog. I’ve never had a puppy make me laugh so much and have such a great time playing with him. And o boy the hours he can spend just chasing his tail. I’m scared that someone will take him away eventually. If not the BSL laws then the city I live in may take him. There are so many classes and rules and regulations that the “Bully” breeds have to follow and its not fair. So needless to say I am technically keeping him illegally because of all these rediculous rules. I have always wanted a Pit just to prove to myself, family, and others that its not the breed. When raised correctly and responsibly they are just like any ordinary dog. I am new at all of this but I am willing to petition and do anything I can do to help Pits and all other breeds and future breeds that may be affected by BSL.
HiI just recently came across a website just to read up on pitbulls and good training methods and read the article on BSL. I’ve always heard about the things they were doing with certain breeds and I wasn’t to happy but I never put much concern into it since I didn’t have one of those breeds affected by BSL. Over the last couple years I have become more curious about what these laws are about and how I don’t agree with them. Some of my family has always been agains Pit Bulls in particular just because of the bad things you hear about them. But where are all the stories about the really good dogs and amazing family companions they become for many people. I recently got to discover how great the breed is when me and my boyfriend ended up with a pit bull/english bulldog. He’s an amazing dog. I’ve never had a puppy make me laugh so much and have such a great time playing with him. And o boy the hours he can spend just chasing his tail. I’m scared that someone will take him away eventually. If not the BSL laws then the city I live in may take him. There are so many classes and rules and regulations that the “Bully” breeds have to follow and its not fair. So needless to say I am technically keeping him illegally because of all these rediculous rules. I have always wanted a Pit just to prove to myself, family, and others that its not the breed. When raised correctly and responsibly they are just like any ordinary dog. I am new at all of this but I am willing to petition and do anything I can do to help Pits and all other breeds and future breeds that may be affected by BSL.
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