For those of you that don't know, breed specific legislation is a law passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of a domesticated animal. A BSL can range from anything from breed restrictions, which means requiring a special licensing on a breed or breeds, to flat out breed bans, which is a total elimination of a breed. Breed specific legislation's are putting the lives of countless, harmless animals at risk.
Breed specific legislation is missing the problem entirely though. The problem they should be targeting is horrible owners. Any dog can become "vicious" or "aggressive" if they are provoked, harassed, or in a bad living situation. Just because it is a certain breed, that doesn't mean that it's going to bite someone or hurt someone. Any dog could do that, not just because it is a certain breed. That's like trying to say because someone is a certain race or religion they're going to try to harm you. Will they? Not necessarily. Any single person could do that, not just a certain "type" of person. Dogs shouldn't be targeted because they are a specific breed. They need to be given a chance. Everyone deserves there right to live no matter who or what they are, and so do animals.
If it hasn't hit you quite yet, the breed being targeted the most by these laws are pitbulls and pit mixes. This bothers me to no end. Pit bulls get a bad name because of stupid people. Pit bulls are a very popular breed in dog fighting. Pit bulls can be vicious if provoked or raised that way. Are all pit bulls vicious? Not at all. Pit bulls and pit mixes are very loyal, amazing dogs. They can be great family dogs, great companions, great protectors, anything. They're beautiful, incredible dogs. Just because stupid people do stupid things and make some of the dogs like that, that doesn't mean that the whole breed are going to be dangerous.
Breed specific legislation has already claimed the lives of several innocent pit bulls. Lennox was the first major case to shake the world of breed specific legislation's. Lennox was a pit bull who lived in Ireland. Lennox was a family dog and had lived with this family for many years. Lennox never harmed anybody. One day the government in Belfast seized Lennox, and Lennox was scheduled to execution. People all over the world protested and pleaded for Lennox's life to be spared, but to no avail. Not only did they kill Lennox, but they wouldn't allow Lennox's family to see Lennox before or after she was dead. Now Lennox lies dead. Strike one.
Then it was Wicca's turn. Wicca had a minor altercation with a stranger. The stranger was not harmed. The stranger is fine. That didn't matter though. It was then decided that Wicca was going to be executed. For weeks legal challenges and protests were made, but they fell upon deaf ears. Wicca's owner was devastated as he had to say goodbye to a dog he loved, and he was never to see her again. Wicca now lies dead. Strike two.
Now it is Dre's turn. As I write this, a family pet pit bull named Dre is being held in a small cage in a shelter, terrified and confused, waiting to see if he will live or die. Dre escaped with the family's other dog on accident, a child had hit the garage door opener unbeknownst to the babysitter. The two dogs escaped and ran scared down the neighborhood. They barked at people, but no one was harmed. The police were called and caught the two animals. Supposedly it took five police to catch the dogs, but again no one was harmed, not even so much as a scratch. When Dre's owner got wind of what happened, she went to the shelter to claim her dogs. The officer there told her that she could take her dog, but that Dre was being held. Please note that while Dre is a pit bull, the other dog is not a pit bull. They said that Dre was "aggressive" and "vicious". No one was hurt in the slightest by this dog, who is beloved by his owner's three daughters. Dre's owner was outraged. She was originally told Dre was being held only for a period of time, but now they are scheduling Dre's execution. They won't even release the dog so his family can see him. Dre goes on trial August 10th, where the decision will be made if he will live or die. This beloved family pet could soon being lying dead with the others. Strike three.
I am outraged with what is happening, and what will continue to happen if nothing is done, all around the world. I was furious with what happened to Lennox. Then I found out about Wicca, and my anger rose. When I heard about Dre, I became fed up. I decided that I needed to do something. I was sick of just sitting around knowing that everywhere around the world these innocent creatures were being sentenced to die for no good reason. I signed the petition saying that Dre's life should be spared. I will put a link at the bottom of this article to the petition if you would like to sign as well. Please do. This poor dog needs all the help he can get. That isn't necessarily what I'm asking for your help with. In my area there is a group called the Carolina Care Bullies. The Carolina Care Bullies are dedicated to saving as many pit bulls and pit mixes as they possibly can. I was introduced to this group at a Christmas parade, and then personally met them when they came to speak to the Animal Rights group at my school, which I am a part of. They are phenomenal people with an incredible goal. They foster as many pitbulls as they possibly can, and find great homes for these sweet creatures. This is what I need your help with.
I am holding a donations drive to help out the Carolina Care Bullies. They appreciate and are thankful for all the supplies they can get to help these dogs. I wanted to help. I wanted to make a difference. If that difference is even a tiny one that helps a dog or saves a dog's life, that is all I could ever ask for. These dogs need a chance at a life that is usually denied to them by idiots with stereotypes. I want to help them with their goal of saving every dog they can. To do that though, they do need the supplies and the money to upkeep their program. The following things are what they are in need of:
- Peanut butter
- Treats, rawhides, and bones
- Good quality dog food
- Large dog crates
- Flea/tick prevention
- Heartworm prevention
- Staples/Office Depot gift cards for any amount
- Wal-mart giftcards for any amount
- #41 Color Cannon Ink Cartridges
- Printer paper (colored and white)
- Paper towels and other cleaning supplies
- Monetary donations, as medical care is the greatest expense
I hope that this showed you how cruel breed specific legislation is. I want you to think of your dog, or your pet of any type, and think of how you would feel if they were taken from you and killed, just because of what breed they are. Think of how that would make you feel, what you would want to do about it. Thank you for taking the time out to read this! I hope you feel somewhat similar to I do, and that you want to help this cause out as well. If you would like to sign the petition for Dre you can do so here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/366/919/230/save-dre-a-pit-bull-in-brighton-co-who-has-never-hurt-anyone/?z00m=20375944 .
Thank you, yet again, for reading and for supporting this! Well, I hope you're supporting this anyways. Wishing you all the best!
-Taylor
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