BSL stands for Breed Specific Legislation. While there are a number of breeds of dog targeted by this legislation - and it’s all wrong - my primary concern is any law aimed at the American Pit Bull Terrier and other “bully” breeds.

Every so often I do a post about Pit Bulls, usually on my other blog. I figured it was time to do a post here, though. After all, I have that cute little icon to the right of of here with an adorable pit bull smiling at me.

If you would like to get involved in stopping BSL, please visit the up-to-date legislation page to see if your state is considering breed legislation. In fact, check your state and local municipality to find out if laws have already been passed. When you’re considering a move to a new area, you might want to also check with a local real estate agent to get the low-down on BSL as well.

If you don’t know much about Pit Bulls or other bully breeds, please check out the well documented information and especially the myth-busting urban legend section.

And remember, punish the deed, not the breed.

Today, bloggers everywhere are blogging against abuse. Some have chosen to focus on child abuse, spousal abuse, or elderly abuse. If you are a blogger, it isn’t too late to join us. Please post about stopping abuse and join us in our mission to become a more humane, caring society.

Michael Vick has been in the news once again regarding the Pit Bull fighting charges against him. Now he’s facing possible federal charges as well as the state charges. I don’t know how this is going to play out but I will be watching. I’m football fanatic. I love Pit Bulls. This story captivates me.

Beyond that, though, there is dog abuse going on every single day, in virtually every town and neighborhood. And the abuse that goes on is not illegal. That, perhaps, makes it more sad and even more challenging. That abuse is the constant chaining of dogs to an outside space.

I realize that the law considers a dog “property” and not a family member. Just ask anyone with a beloved canine companion to describe their dog, though, and you’d be hard pressed to hear the word “property” in those descriptions. Dogs are living creatures with very distinct natural instincts. Specifically, a dog is a “pack” animal. It thrives when living with others, either four-legged or two-legged. Dogs were never meant to be tied up and left alone, away from the rest of the “pack” or family.

Most dog attacks in this country are from chained dogs. Chaining a dog continuously, even with adequate water, food, and shelter is still contrary to their natural habitat. It’s abusive, plain and simple. It’s no different than providing food, water and shelter to a baby with no love, cuddling or human interaction beyond the basics. Each of these scenarios are abusive in their neglect to these living creatures and produce a dangerous situation for the society in which they live.

Our own family does use a chain for Belle when she goes outside. Belle, however, doesn’t spend more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time outside without us. And as all Pit Bull owners know, Pit Bulls are excellent jumpers. For that reason, when Belle needs to relieve herself quickly, we chain her for those few minutes so that a stray cat doesn’t grab her attention and lead her astray. That kind of chaining is not an issue. Chaining on a leash for walks, likewise, is not a problem but rather is responsible pet ownership. Our own bike and walking trail runs along a 4 lane highway so putting Belle on a lead while walking is for her safety most of all.

The abuse of chaining is when a dog spends many hours tied to a tree or post, often with no more than 10 square feet of area, for indefinite periods of time. Dogs do deserve better and if you really care about dogs and the abuse so many of them suffer, please join the fight to end this “accepted” practice. Please consider reporting any dog that you see chained outside for long periods and speak out against the acceptance of this practice in our legal system.

I’m probably not the only dog owner concerned with the food my Bella Donna eats. The recent dog food recall really alerted me to the potential danger of tainted food. My dog is too important to risk her health.

I’ve looked for some alternatives to the run of the mill dog food sold at the local grocery store. I’ve researched a few Organic dog food sites and they look very interesting. Not sure if that’s the route I’ll go but at least now I have a few leads.

Because Belle is worth it, you know.

We’ve all heard about Pit Bull attacks. They’re covered on most local news stations and sometimes nationally as well. Of course, there’s never a news report about a Pomeranian or Lab or Setter biting someone. And yet, they most certainly bite occasionally.

Have you ever wondered, though, whether the reports of Pit Bull attacks are accurate? Have you ever wondered if the dog that attacked was really a Pit Bull? As it turns out, many dog attacks reported as Pit Bull are really not Pits at all. It’s a shame that Newscasters don’t think that correcting their erroneous reporting would make for good television. So the mistaken report of a Pit Bull attack remains in the viewer’s mind.

Dont’ believe me? Well, could you pick out a Pit Bull from a line up? I thought I could but in fact, it took me two tries. That’s right, I missed it the first time. And I’ve owned Pit Bulls! So, let’s see how you do with this quiz. Click through the 5 pages of 26 pictures. You can go all the way through and back again. Look them over carefully. Then click on the American Pit Bull Terrier. Just be aware, there is only one Pit Bull.

I’d love to know how everyone does with the test. Hopefully, everyone will be honest. I’ve never known anyone who could find the pit bull on the first try. Now be honest, how many tries did it take you?

If you look over to the right of this post and down just a bit, you’ll see the picture of the pretty pit bull on the button on my first sidebar.

I love Pit Bulls.

I know some people are afraid of pit bulls, probably because they believe the negative propaganda and horror stories about this noble breed. The fact is, Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. At least that’s not their natural tendency. Pits may be small animal aggressive because of the Terrier in them, but they love people and want only to please.

If you know or hear of a human aggressive pit bull, it was trained to be that way. Don’t believe me? Or maybe you do believe me but know someone who thinks the breed is bad. If so, or if you just care about animals, check out Off The Chain. This documentary shows the real aggressor: bad people. If anyone can watch this and not realize that the American Pit Bull Terrier is the victim I’d be surprised.

I challenge anyone who loves animals to send one of these DVDs to their local library with an invitation to their local government to watch it at the next council meeting. Before another locality passes breed-specific laws, become educated. Don’t execute or ban the victims. Arrest and incarcerate those who are truly evil: the people who abuse these loyal, loving dogs.