This could account for owners’ intolerance for larger dogs showing aggression, but again, why are the larger dogs getting banned when studies show aggressive behavior in small dogs as well? Yes, bites inflicted by larger dogs are generally more dangerous as they more frequently require medical attention, but when smaller dogs are biting people as well don’t they pose a threat? If breed bans determine dangerous breeds through bite statistics or the amount of bites per breed, small dogs may be subject to banning as …show more content…
Under breed laws, dogs are not assessed individually, but are stereotyped as a whole as dangerous. Ontario, Canada passed a breed ban that banned pit bulls, even though statistics showed that German Shepherds held the top spot for bites. Also, as I mentioned above, studies done on a number of household breeds revealed that small, toy sized dogs were among the top seven breeds showing owner directed aggression. A blanket ban on one specific type of dog will not eliminate a dog aggression problem. Informed, responsible and in control owners are the key to public safety from dangerous dogs. Owners with their dogs always on leashes and contained in their own fenced yards do not pose a problem.
Breed specific legislation is very controversial and it deals with public safety. Breed banning simply will not eliminate the problem of dog to person aggression because only one specific breed of dog is being banned, while other breeds are also responsible for bites. Dogs should be evaluated based on individual temperament, reaction, and personality rather than being put into one group together under one title, dangerous. Responsible pet ownership also plays a major role in keeping the public safe from dangerous dog