Why it’s crucial to end BSL

Note: Every Tuesday during the Campaign to End BSL: Operation Denver, I will write about BSL and related issues and provide a campaign status update. I’ll also link to other bloggers who do the same! And just as a reminder, the official hashtag is #endBSL.

Emmett, my inspiration

So now that the Campaign to End BSL: Operation Denver is underway, let’s take a step back to think about exactly why it’s so important to stop any breed-discriminatory legislation. In my opinion, here are the three most important reasons that BSL must end:

• While most cities target “pit bulls,” other cities are starting to expand breed bans. For instance, Clarksdale, MS arbitrarily added Rottweilers to their ordinance. As BSL starts to take hold, it will become easier for legislators to tack on additional breeds, further restricting responsible dog owners from owning the dogs they truly love.
• BSL lets irresponsible dog owners off the hook. A neglectful owner who, for example, chains his dog in his backyard will chain his dog regardless of whether it’s a pit bull, a husky, or a Golden Retriever. Dog bites are usually caused by owners who haven’t properly socialized, trained, or contained their dog. The responsibility needs to be on dog owners, not dog breeds.
• And, most importantly, dogs are dying. They’re dying simply for how they look. It’s cruel, and it’s unfair. I stumbled across an image that drove this point home and has made me become even more resolute in this campaign. I debated on whether or not to include the link to this image. I decided to post to it to help drive the severity of the situation and the seriousness behind this campaign. However, I have to warn you: THIS is a very graphic image.

There are a lot of phenomenal bloggers who will be tackling this issue as well, and I’m excited to compile all the links to share. Because, really, education is power. The more we empower people with BSL knowledge, the more likely it is that we’ll effect change.

And now for the campaign update (pause for drum roll):

The postcards are coming in! I’m so, so excited! Amy and Rod from GoPetFriendly.com made a great one with a message from their dogs, Buster and Ty. I’m going to start posting them to the Oh My Dog! blog Facebook page.

And I can’t wait to see YOUR postcard! So get creating, and start encouraging your networks to create postcards, too! We need a total of 10,560 (minus the few that have come in!) and some of you have more Twitter followers than that. I know we can do this. We can get Mayor Hickenlooper’s attention!

Also, I’ve received a total of $50 in donations to offset printing and mailing. That $50 will pay for 500 postcards! Thank you so, so much. When the first donation and the first postcard came in… you guys, I’m not gonna lie, I shed a few tears because I’m so proud of everyone for stepping up to end BSL!