BSL? Really? Well, what about this??

(Search and Rescue Team, Christina Ridge and Doc)

BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is trying to take over this country like a virus, a deadly virus for those of us that love dogs. Owning Bull Terriers, it's a personal concern for me, but it should be a concern to everyone who owns and loves dogs. Just because your breed isn't on the list now don't think you're safe, rest assured, it will be, give it time. If we, as dog lovers, don't get busy and do something about it, we will all lose our right to have dogs.

What starts off as a law against "Pit Bulls" will be changed to "Pit Bulls" and American Staffordshire Terriers. Then, not satisfied or just because they can, why not add Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers. Oh and let's not forget the Rottweiler or the Doberman, they're dangerous too, right? But wait, how about we just say any dog over 100 pounds, because lets face it, if it were so inclined to be "dangerous", a dog that size could really do some damage, right? Ok, so let's just do that. Think it won't happen? Think again, it already has. Fairfield, Iowa has a restriction on just that, so if your dog weighs over 100 pounds, best go around Fairfield if you are traveling and want to keep your dog safe!

I have a magnet on my vehicle that says "Punish the Deed, Not the Breed" that is exactly what needs to be done, don't blame an entire breed because of what a few do. Suppose you were raped or robbed by a dark haired, blue eyed man, does that mean every dark haired blue eyed man should be considered a robber or rapist? Of course not! How stupid would that be?? Well then, why are the idiots powers that be passing laws to ban every "Pit Bull" because someone was attacked by one?

Ok, I know some of you are saying, this woman is crazy, does she not know how scary those dogs are? Well, let me ask you this, Why are they scary, because you, yourself have had a personal experience with being attacked by one? Or is it because the news showed a report about an attack and it scared the bejesus out of you? Yes, I know it has happened more than once. Why? Because drug dealers, gang bangers, criminals and any number of other jerks out there see that same on report on the news and they decide they have to get a dog like that so no one will bother them. They get one, they raise it to be a mean, bad dog so they, themselves look badder and what do you have? Dogs that are doing just what they were raised to do, not what they were bred to do. So, the news media is not helping the matter at all.

Now, look at these pictures....

This dog is doing what he was raised and trained to do...Search and Rescue. His name is Doc, and he is an American Pit Bull Terrier, a breed that is at the top of nearly all BSL laws and restrictions. He was injured during the rescue effort following Hurricane Ike. It's a good thing BSL wasn't in effect in Galveston, TX, huh? Think about it, I mean really think about it, banning a "Pit Bull" would mean, banning Doc and many other dogs that are working to help us. In those pictures, the lady carrying him is his owner Christina Ridge, I don't know who the man is that is helping him, but obviously, he is not concerned with someone besides his owner working on him while he is injured. Does that dog deserve to be banned or restricted just because of his breed, or his color, or his 'looks'?

Dogs are what we as owners make them, and they should be treated on an individual basis, punish the owner that is letting that dog run loose and wreak havoc, not the dog that doesn't know better. There are no bad dogs, only bad owners!

To find out more about your area, or your state, check out Rott-N-Chatter here you will find information on laws, what you can do to help, a list of states and Canada that have BSL in effect or are thinking of it.

More information on Search and Rescue dogs and dogs used to help during disasters can be found here Disaster Dog.org they also have a list of breeds that are affected on their site.

And, lastly, just to clarify, there is no such breed as a "Pit Bull" it is an American Pit Bull Terrier, when you say "Pit Bull" it's lumping every dog that looks like an Am Staff, or a Staffie Bull or a Bull Terrier, or any mix of those dogs as one breed. (I for one can't see the resemblance in my Bull Terriers and an American Staffordshire Terrier, but some fools out there do or

they wouldn't be listing them as all the same breed)

I leave you with a link I beg you to try, and come back to tell me how you did, be honest, I myself got it wrong the first time I tried and I've been involved with these Bull Breeds for a long time! Take the test, please. It's not as easy as it looks, so how can animal control anywhere KNOW what they are looking at?? Every dog on that page "fits the description" of what a "Pit Bull" is supposed to look like, so you tell me, what do we do??

We stand up and fight is what we do, we fight for our right to have the breed of our choice, we fight for our rights as pet owners, if we don't do it now, we will be fighting for the right to have a dog, (or cat or horse or bird or whatever) PERIOD! Keep a check on your city and your state, keep an eye on what bill is coming up and stay on top of it, write letters, send emails, attend meetings, speak out, THAT is what we do!!

I'm sliding my soapbox back under my little table for now, but it's still within reach, I can pull it back out anytime. ;)

Blessings to you and yours, be they 2-legged or 4-legged!