The Academic Impostor Behind the Pit Bull Hysteria

[baldguy]

57. And replies like this:

This article is built on spurious logic. Scapegoating one breed to pretend the problem isn't a much more complex issue than BSL ignores the reality that impotent, powerless, overcompensating tough guys can easily find an intimidating, highly loyal and aggressive breed to substitute for "pit bulls". The inadequacies in breeding, training, education, and recklessness of owners will not magically disappear with BSL. Secondly, it would indeed be shocking if the number of "pit bull" bites didn't decrease sharply. When you vilify, euthanize 1000's of "pit bulls", ban, and muzzle an entire breed, having dramatically lowered the number of pit bulls what other results are to be expected, other than "pit bull" bites will decrease. But you've done little to address the root problem: breeding practices, misinformation, poor training, reckless owners, uneducated dog owners....

As an owner of an English Bull Terrier, I fear for my preferred breed if this fallacious reasoning persists (as much as I don't care for Don Cherry, I wonder where the reputation & status of the breed would be without him). Many dog owners should also worry, should this kind of spurious thinking take hold. BSL is the quick answer not the right answer.

And articles like this:
There is no evidence Ontario’s Dog Owner’s Liability Act has resulted in fewer dog bites
http://www.thestar.com/life/2011/11/25/van_veen_wheres_the_data_that_shows_pit_bull_ban_is_working.html

And studies like this:
Toronto Humane Society Study Finds Breed Specific Legislation Has Not Reduced Dog Bites
https://www.facebook.com/notes/toronto-humane-society/ths-study-finds-breed-specific-legislation-has-not-reduced-dog-bites/384465083730
"If we want to reduce the number of dog bites we have to address the route cause of the problem, those irresponsible owners who do not appropriately care for their animals.” Said Ian McConachie, Senior Communicator at the Toronto Humane Society. “It is clear from these figures that the BSL aspects of the Dog Owners Liability Act has not worked to decrease the incidents of dog bites."

Pit bull ban not reducing dog bites in Ont.: THS
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/pit-bull-ban-not-reducing-dog-bites-in-ont-ths-1.507014#ixzz3FCe0fmR9

Ontario pit bull ban isn't working, Humane Society says
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/04/28/13747081.html

http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/pdfs/Breed_Specific_Legislation_Jan-14.pdf

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Basically, what you have here is a govt agency failing at it's job, trying to protect it's budget, and the animal professionals calling them out on their lies.