I started this petition to stop BSL (breed specific laws). It's wrong to punish an entire breed for the deeds of people. People are being forced to get rid of their dogs based on the breed. They are losing part of their family, all because of an irrational fear. Some of these dogs are being sent to homes where they are abused and neglected. Case in point “Puppy Doe”.(http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/joe_fitzgerald/2013/10/fitzgerald_barbarian_who_tortured_puppy_doe_is_among) Her original owner was forced to get rid of her because of the city she lived in. If there had been no BSL in that city, this tragedy would have never happened.

          Dogs are just like people, in that they feel emotions, just like we do. They feel sadness, joy, trust, anticipation, kindness, envy, shame, and yes even fear and anger. They are not born mean. They are a product of their environment, just as we are. Each has their own personality, meaning no two dogs are the same. I am asking that each case is handled accordingly.

     This petition is here to ask that each owner is brought in to make sure they are fit to care for the animal, and each dog is brought in to be evaluated. There is so much money spent on enforcing these bans, that money could be spent instead on making sure the owners are fit to care for the animals. It’s not the breed that is responsible for the fear being spread about “dangerous” breeds; It’s the people who raise the animal to be dangerous. I’m asking that Iowa follow suit with other states (New York, Texas and Illinois) that track each dog individually. In most towns you have to go in to your local police station and register your dog, let’s take it one step further and evaluate the people who come in to register their dogs. Let’s make sure they are fit owners.

     Any breed of dog can be trained to be dangerous, that's just it though, the dogs are TRAINED to be that way. We need to stop punishing the dogs, and start punishing the people who are training these innocent animals to be attack dogs.

     In the 1800's pitbulls were owned by royals as family dogs. They were called nanny dogs, because of how well they interacted with children.( http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/pitbulls-used-be-considered-perfect-nanny-dogs-children-until-media-turned-them?paging=off&current_page=1#bookmark )

     There is a great article on the ASPCA website (http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting/breed-specific-legislation )about breed specific laws. All I ask is that you take a minute to read it. I’m sure that once you do you will agree with this petition as well.