BSL Introduced in Tennessee
I am very sad to report this morning that Breed Specific Legislation has been introduced into the Tennessee General Assembly. This legislation, Senate Bill 2738, would make it a crime in this state to even own a so-called "pit bull" type dog. "Pit bull" type dogs are defined as "any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American bulldog, or American Staffordshire Terrier, or any mixed breed dog that contains fifty percent of its lineage from those breeds." And, the bill would "Force any person found guilty of owning a "pit bull dog" to surrender custody and forfeit ownership of the dog to a humane society." It's about as bad as it gets. (It's a good bet that the dogs would be put to sleep once surrendered to a humane society.)
Tennessee dog owners will be fighting this wrong-headed legislation. So will lovers of these breeds.
As anyone who knows dogs understands — or if you read the stories on this and other dog-friendly web sites — "pit bull" type dogs engage in all kinds of wonderful activities to help people, from being therapy dogs to working with police. Yet many people stereotype them as dogs for dogfighting or judge them because some owners let them run loose. As we all know, any dog who runs loose can get into trouble; and a dog's temperament will depend on how he is raised, by whom, and for what purpose.
We ask Tennessee dog owners to contact their State Senator and State Representative and ask them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 2738.
To find your Tennessee State Senator, go to the Tennessee General Assembly home page. On the left side of the page, click "Senate," then click "Members."
To find your Tennessee State Representative, go to the Tennessee General Assembly home page. On the left side of the page, click "House," then click "Members."
For more information, please contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
If Tennessee's State Senators and Represenatives hear a loud enough outcry from their constituents and from dog lovers, they will oppose and defeat this terrible bill. These dogs will not be taken from their loving owners. Please help stop this bill. It shouldn't be a crime to own any kind of dog.
