BSL From Afar
Per Yahoo news:
Italy is cracking down on dangerous dogs after a spate of pit bull attacks, but its new law ordering muzzles and insurance for no less than 92 breeds has met with howls of anger.
The law, ushered in by urgent decree, orders owners of dangerous dogs to take out insurance against a possible attack and to muzzle their animals in public places or face a possible three months in prison or a fine of up to 206 euros ($232).
Pit bulls are predictably under scrutiny but the new law also targets other popular breeds like Saint Bernards and collies, and opponents say it is poorly planned.
And someone who gets it:
“The problem is not dog breeds but individual animals that have been badly treated,” said Ciro Troiano of the Italian Anti-Vivisection League, adding that muzzling a dog taught it nothing and could in fact worsen its behavior.
It’s not breeds, it’s mistreatment of animals. There is also no scientific way to prove that a dog is one breed or another. The only criteria is appearance.
September 22nd, 2003 at 2:18 pm
There is not much good reason FOR pit bulls in any case. They were outdated when the pistol was invented.
September 22nd, 2003 at 11:36 pm
I have owned pit bulls for three decades, and they are lovable, cheerful animals whose only crime is an overabundance of strength and loyalty. In the hands of bad people, they can be dangerous (as can a gun). But that does not justify the national kindergarten approach of punishing the good for the crimes of the bad.
September 23rd, 2003 at 8:57 am
Indeed! I have an american bulldog and they are treated similarly.
September 26th, 2003 at 5:06 am
“There is also no scientific way to prove that a dog is one breed or another. The only criteria is appearance.”
If this is accepted as true on face value, it merely affirms the inadequacy of modern science.