Dog lovers tuned in last week to cheer on Rufus, the Colored Bull Terrier, as he took home the coveted Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show trophy.

His handler, Kathy Kirk hails from Connecticut but Rufus, now in retirement, will live with his owner in New Jersey. Which brings up an interesting dilemma should the New Jersey State Legislature pass a law which advocates for breed-specific legislation placing unfair restrictions on certain breeds of dogs and others with similar traits that could include Rufus.

The Bull Terrier, along with the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are breeds that are often incorrectly lumped together and characterized as “pit bulls” under breed-specific laws, which aim to restrict or completely ban certain breeds, regardless of whether the dog is well mannered and has a highly responsible owner.

Five-year old Rufus, a seasoned show dog has traveled across the country, winning a record number of Bests in Show (more than 30) for his breed, including Best in Show at the Philadelphia Kennel Club – which aired as The National Dog Show on NBC following last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – and has taken home many other top honors, including winning the Terrier group at the recent AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa, Fla.

But regardless of how many ribbons he wins, this dog and his owner, Barbara Bishop of Holmdel, NJ, are not only restricted as to where they can travel or possibly live due to breed-specific or breed-type bans but might face hardships right in their backyard. Bishop reported in an Associated Press story last week that Rufus is a fun-loving pet that regularly played with her grandchildren when they were young.

Breed-Specific Legislation

Let’s take a look at the New Jersey bill, drafted by Sen. Sharpe James as the Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Licensing Act, which has been introduced and defeated twice before in the Garden State’s state house.

Senate Bill S801 would allow a municipality to require a special license for all “pit bulls” (anywhere from $150 to $700) including “American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers and any dog determined to be a pit bull type.”

Let’s stop right here. Any dog determined to be a pit bull type? What does that mean? Mixed breeds bred in someone’s backyard for illegal dogfights or a top Champion like Rufus? While the Bull Terrier isn’t specifically listed as one of the breeds, who will be doing the determination of pit bull type, and what’s to stop the animal control officers from adding this breed in along with the rest?

The bill gives powers to municipalities to deny a license to anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offense or animal cruelty, as well as anyone who lives with someone convicted of those crimes. The Bill goes on to state that anyone who owns a dog, which might be suspect under this bill, must prove that it isn’t a pit bull. The municipality will visually inspect the dog to determine whether it is a pit bull. Hello? Did I miss the language stating what characteristics would be deemed “pit bullish” in nature?

Also required is confinement of the dog in a permanent enclosure including a secure pen and a six-foot fence. Additionally, pit bulls must be muzzled when off owner’s property and leashed with a less than three-foot long leash. By the way, an animal control officer must approve the leash. This provision I find comical. Will they start a new “leash compliance” division in every town in the State of New Jersey!

Finally, it states than an animal control officer will inspect the enclosure and the licensee’s property at least monthly, require liability insurance for owners, and subject violators of fines up to $1000 per day. But here’s the real kicker, seized dogs will be placed in a no-kill shelter until properly adopted or until the dog dies of natural causes.

Excuse me? First they deem the dogs dangerous and a safety risk to society, but then won’t euthanize them if seized and found to be vicious? And to add insult to injury they are making the taxpayers foot the bill to house said dangerous dog until it dies of natural causes, which could be upwards of 10 years!

Deed, Not The Breed

My feeling has always been that yes, communities need to be safe, but put the responsibility for a dog’s behavior at the right end of the leash – with the owner. Doesn’t matter what breed of dog, all dogs are capable of being poorly socialized and allowed to or are trained to become dangerous or vicious because of an irresponsible dog owner.

Dozens of municipalities around the U.S. have either enacted or are trying to enact breed-specific legislation, some cities like Denver and San Francisco have succeed passing such laws in their war on pit bull terror. Unfortunately, many times breed-specific laws are passed after an unfortunate isolated attack in a community when emotions are running high, highly fueled by the media and fanned by the flames of fear.

To learn more about breed-specific legislation and other threats to the rights of dog owners please visit http://www.akc.org/news/sections/legislative_alerts.cfm or contact the AKC’s Canine Legislation department at doglaw@akc.org.

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.