Rovers on Dog Duty
It is our responsibility to fight breed ignorance (BSL) with the tools of education. The public needs our help to separate the facts from the fiction.
Pass out these pamphlets and invite other concerned citizens to join the ROVERlution. Be sure that everyone on your city council receives a copy, too! Don’t give BSL a biting chance!
Download and print side one and side two. Print side one first, then print side two on the reverse side. Fold into a tri-fold pamphlet.
PIT BULLS
To start, pit bull is not a breed of dog, it’s a term typically used to group 3 breeds of dog, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), American Staffordshire Terrier (AMSTAFF) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (STAFFIE)
Work with professional dog trainers and offer obedience classes to dog owners in your community. Register to attend a Canine Good Neighbor program to encourage responsible dog ownership and to improve dogs' acceptance as valued members of the community. A positive public image of all dogs regardless of breed is needed to discourage breed discrimination. The Canine Good Neighbor program was developed by the Canadian Kennel Club. For more information on the Canine Good Neighbor program, visit
Organizers are needed in every city. If you care to make a difference, please sign-up to organize one in your city! ROVERlution will customize your flyers and advertise your march. Join us on Annual Pit Bull Awareness Day.
www.understand-a-bull.com/BSLcontacts.htm
Read an excellent five year study which was published in the Cincinnati Law Review in 1982, vol. 53, which specifically considered both Rottweilers and "Pit Bulls" and concluded in part that:
The statistics did not support the assertion that any one breed was dangerous.
When legislation is focused on the type of dog it fails because it is unenforceable, confusing, and costly.
Focusing legislation on dogs that are "vicious" distracts attention from the real problem, which is irresponsible dog ownership.
Legal Review (a very large PDF format file)
View sample letter:
Dear Honorable City Council Members _______________________,
I sincerely hope that as dog owner / professional dog breeder / groomer / trainer / veterinarian, my experience in the area of dog behavior will serve to deter you from adopting Breed Specific Legislation in your city of _______. Please resist the urge to act on the public's fear and realize that our misguided news media has worked overtime to capture the headlines. They would have us believe that all dogs that carry the physical characteristics of a pit bull are dangerous and vicious. To stereotype a dog by its breed is not only wrong but unfair to those dogs who have proven themselves to be an asset to society. In fact, these very breeds as a whole have proven their stability and good canine citizenry by becoming search & rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and loyal family companions for years. Do you remember the dog Petey on the TV show Little Rascals? Pit Bull.
In the hopes that this city council wants reliable and factual information on the subject of BSL, an excellent five year study was published in the Cincinnati Law Review in 1982, vol. 53, which specifically considered both Rottweilers and "Pit Bulls" and concluded in part that:
...the statistics did not support the assertion that any one breed was dangerous.
...when legislation is focused on the type of dog it fails because it is unenforceable, confusing, and costly.
... focusing legislation on dogs that are "vicious" distracts attention from the real problem, which is irresponsible dog ownership.
In light of this and other studies I have read, I urge you to actively pursue legislation that would render owners liable for the actions of their pets. The appropriate policy should be "blame the owner, not the dog." It is not the automobile that kills innocent people, it is the driver of that vehicle. People commit crimes in society, not dogs. The safety of dogs and our children largely depend on the responsible actions of adults. You must make dog owners accountable for the actions of their dogs!
Government needs the guidance of responsible, law abiding citizens. Otherwise it will be the most reactive elements of society that end up writing the laws. I caution you not to repeat the sadly misguided decision made by the city council of Denver. On May 5th, 2005, they voted to enact a breed ban which resulted in the seizure and killing of innocent family dogs. Their attempt to "protect" the community has caused immeasurable grief and sacrifices to many Denver residents.
To be useful, legislation must be effective, enforceable, economical, and reasonably fair. Proposing to ban a breed of dog would fail in all of these areas, punish responsible dog owning citizens and worst of all will not protect the public from dog attacks. Please remember that all dogs can bite and breeds other than Pit Bulls have seriously or fatally injured people. Only with the proper training and socialization can we ensure that all dogs will be welcomed neighbors in society. This is the responsibility and duty of every dog owner and those who fail this task are the ones who put the public at risk! To be responsible legislators, you must make laws that apply to people, not dogs.
Respectfully yours,
