Dear Neil Parish MP,

We are taxpayers and voters, who are asking for the repeal of Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991-- the section concerning Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

Instead, we are asking this be replaced with Breed Neutral, Responsible Pet Ownership Laws. We think that Bill Bruce should be retained to implement and oversee this change. 

Pit bull dogs are gentle, loving and loyal. Like any dogs treated responsibly, they make great family pets. 

There are millions of pit bull dogs across the United States who live peacefully and unremarkably with their families. Pit bull dogs serve as therapy dogs and search & rescue dogs. 

While the term "pit bull" refers to a category of dogs who share some physical characteristics -- like a blocky head, or a muscular body -- the American Temperament Test Society reports that dogs belonging to the breeds that historically are thought of as being pit bulls, like American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers, test better than Golden Retrievers.

There is no scientific evidence that one breed or type of dog is more likely to injure a human than any other breed or type of dog. Physical appearance does not predict behaviour or personality. A dog’s entire physical appearance is determined by a very small amount of genetic material. Of the 19,000 genes in the canine genome, as few as six can determine a dog’s head shape; none of the genes associated with head shape influence behaviour or personality. 

BSL has never reduced incidents of dog bites, wherever in Europe or North America it has been tried. In addition, there is no scientific study or data that proves BSL reduces dog bites. BSL has failed here as hospital admissions for injuries caused by dogs have risen by 76% in England in the last decade.

In June 2008, the Netherlands repealed its 15-year-old ban on pit bull dogs. Italy repealed its ban. In the US, state after state is passing laws making BSL illegal. President Obama’s White House Administration says: “We don't support breed-specific legislation -- research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.”

BSL is a waste of hard-earned taxpayer money. It takes resources away from protecting the community from truly dangerous animals, including dangerous dogs not belonging to the targeted breeds. It takes away precious resources from other public services. The government is cutting many services, while wasting tens of millions of taxpayer pounds on seizing dogs, kennel costs, court costs, killing dogs, DLO costs.

Dog bites are a societal problem that cannot be characterized apart from people. They result from problematic human behaviours that place people and animals at risk. Responsible dog ownership is the key to addressing public safety issues involving dogs.

Breed Neutral, Responsible Pet Ownership Laws, such as those in Calgary, Canada, are creating safe communities by putting the emphasis on human behaviour, “The whole model is about responsible pet ownership ... we don’t really have an animal problem: we’ve got a people problem. I think that’s the first realization you’ve got to come to. It’s not about the animal, it’s about the people.” Bill Bruce, Former Director of Calgary Animal and By-Law Services. 

Key elements of Breed Neutral, Responsible Pet Ownership Laws include, but are not limited to the following:

1. License and provide permanent identification for your pets.

2. Spay or neuter your pets.

3. Provide training, socialization, proper diet, and medical care for your pets.

4. Do not allow your pets to become a threat or nuisance in the community.

 Contact repealddasec1@gmail.com for more info.