Letter Regarding Breed Specific Legislation

 

Promoting the theory that certain “breeds” of a particular species are genetically or inherently more likely to be “bad” is not too far away from the theory that certain races or “breeds” of human beings are genetically or inherently “bad”.  As most people now know, there are some people who are born with certain genetic predispositions to be aggressive in nature, but these people are randomly and evenly distributed throughout the population of human beings and their aggressiveness does not necessarily lead to violence.  Instead, violent behaviors are typically learned behaviors and therefore are typically a product of the environment; except for extreme cases of brain damage, for example.

 

As with human beings, non human animals are also unlikely to exhibit violent behaviors due to their genetic make-up or breed specific characteristics.  Violent dogs are almost always a product of their environment.  The exceptions, as with human beings, are cases in which the dog has certain medical conditions, such as brain trauma, that create violent behavior.

 

Legislation that discriminates against certain breeds of dogs is therefore nothing more than discrimination, similar in nature as that done with human beings.  Although not all violent dogs can be traced to a “bad” owner *, violent behavior in dogs should be a key indicator or predictor of an owner that has criminal tendencies him or herself.  Therefore, the breed of a dog should not dictate legislation, policies, etc.  Instead, a violent dog should warrant an investigation of the mental faculties and criminal propensities of the owner.  With that being said, I continue to ask, why do we keep blaming the dogs?

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Jeanette Shutay Ph.d.

Board of directors for 21st Century CARES

jeanetteshutay@msn.com