Toni Naprawa

Prof. Blackburn

English 101

12 April 2008

Don’t Bully My Bully!

Three years ago, my husband and I went to the shelter to adopt a dog. We
instantly fell in love with one particular dog, and brought him home with us.
Our intentions were to give him a better life, but we had no idea how much he
would change our lives. We didn’t just become dog owners, we became pit
bull owners. Many people were quick to judge me, my husband, and our beloved
pet. However, the hatred did not end there. While searching the web to find
supportive sites for pit bull owners, I made a disturbing discovery. Several
politicians, and a few organizations, are creating and supporting laws to ban
pit bulls, and pit bull types. These laws are called Breed-specific
legislation, and I do not support them.

Breed-specific
legislation, more commonly known as BSL, is a law or ordinance which only
pertains to a specific breed of dog, usually to prevent dog attacks on humans.
These laws do not affect any other breeds, and are commonly used in the United
States to restrict or prohibit ownership of pit bulls and pit bull type dogs.
However, there is no clear definition on what a pit bull actually is. The term
“pit bull” is commonly used to describe breeds such as American Pit
Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull
Terriers. These particular breeds are also referred to as “bully
breeds” due to their historical uses in bull baiting. Other “bully
breeds” includes American Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Boxers, and English
Bulldogs which are also sometimes mistaken as pit bulls and discriminated
against. BSL is also costly, ineffective, and creates new burdens for animal
control agencies.

Furthermore,
I consider BSL to be a huge discrimination against bully breeds and their
owners. For example, when referring to pit bull owners, City Councilman Bob
Fitzgerald states “We don’t want “those people”
here”. (Thomas 1) Councilman Jack Hilbert also stereotypes these dogs. He
made the following comments: "This is not a normal canine animal,"
and “A pit bull bite is unique - it's a grip and hold and doesn't
release,” (Parker 1) Comments like these give all pit bulls and their
owners a bad reputation. However, not all pit bull owners are gang members,
drug dealers, criminals, or thugs. Since I have been a pit bull owner, I have
had the pleasure of meeting many other pit bull owners and none of us fall into
the categories listed. It is also unfair to assume that all pit bulls are bad,
because with proper care and training, the majority of pit bulls can be a
wonderful family pet. Pit bulls are also used for many other purposes such as
therapy dogs, search and rescue, and police dogs.

Of
course, there are some people who are in favor of BSL. PETA alleged main reason
for supporting these laws is to end the suffering and cruelty pit bulls endure.
PETA claims to be against animal cruelty, and dog fighting, and abuse. However,
even PETA is quick to stereotype when it comes to pit bulls and their owners.
According to an article on PETA
online:

Are some pit bulls loving
companions? Absolutely. But it is important to bear in mind that nice families
rarely come to a shelter seeking pit bulls. The vast majority of people who
want pit bulls are attracted to

the “macho”
image of the breed as a living weapon and seek to play up this image by putting
the animals in heavy chains; kicking, beating, and otherwise abusing them into
aggression; and leaving them outside in all weather extremes in order to
“toughen” them up.

I could not find
any evidence or statistics to support this outrageous statement. Unfortunately
it is statements like these that persuade people to support such unfair laws.
And with politicians joining in to support BSL, these poor dog’s days are
numbered. In 2007, Senator Sharpe James of New Jersey introduced an Act that
would place restrictions on pit bulls. (Thomas 1) Fortunately, that law was not
passed.

As
a pit bull owner, I stand up against BSL, and urge everyone I know to do the
same. When voting, it is important for me to know where a politician stands on
BSL and I will not vote for anyone that supports these laws. Instead of
labeling and banning a type of dog, there are other options. Better leash laws,
ending dog fighting, and harsher penalties for irresponsible owners and animal
abusers are all good ways to prevent dog attacks. Even after realizing how
tough it is to be a pit bull owner, my husband and I made the decision to adopt
a second pit bull. Both of our pit bulls are neutered, trained, and loved, and
I could not imagine life in my house without them. Finally, I will not look the
other way while Breed-specific laws are passed. Instead, I choose to stand up
and fight, and hope other people will do the same.

Works Cited

Parker, Penny. "Lone Tree, Parker Weigh Pit
Bull Laws." The Rocky Mountain News

5 Jan. 2006. 6 Apr. 2008
<http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/

article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4364315,00.html>.

"PETA’s Position on Pit Bull Bans."
PETA.org. 6 Apr. 2008

<http://www.peta.org/about/hottopic007.asp>.

Thomas, Jennifer. "Paws Down: Who's Doing
Damage." HappyPitbull. 28 Mar. 2008. 6

Apr. 2008 <http://www.happypitbull.com/socialissues/pawsdown.html>.

- - -. "Popular or Stereotypical
Imagery." HappyPitbull. 28 Mar. 2008. 6 Apr.

2008
<http://www.happypitbull.com/basics/whatpit.html>.