Breed Issues and Leash Laws

Topic: Leash Laws

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In a great number of municipal areas and larger cities there are strict leash laws in place for dogs of all types from the tiniest toy breed through to the giant breeds. In most urban areas all dogs have to be on a leash and under their owner's control or they have to be an enclosed and secure area such as a kennel, outdoor run or within a fence. Most owners are very responsible and follow these laws to the letter, however there is always the chance that a dog owner may decide not to follow the laws or may not be aware of the laws as they pertain to the breed of dog that they have. There is also the very real chance that a dog may accidentally get out of a yard or a fence or even out of the house. Most dogs that manage to escape from their owner's direct supervision don't cause any problems, however they are still in danger of being hurt or possibly hurting another dog, pet or person under the right set of conditions.

The enforcement of leash laws in the United States and around the world is one of constant debate with dog owners. Basically leash laws were brought onto the books to attempt to make the streets and areas safe for people and controlled pets from uncontrolled or aggressive dogs. In reality how effective leash laws are is still an area of debate since irresponsible owners and feral dogs are still evident in any place where dogs and people co-exist.

In most areas there are much stricter regulations for the care of dogs that are considered to be aggressive breeds. Typically in most areas these breeds consist of those dogs that are part of the Pit bull family or "Pit bull types" as well as some of the other more aggressive breeds that may be used specifically for dog fighting. These can include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and even Rhodesian Ridgebacks. In reality any dog can become vicious if treated in an abusive and inhuman manner. Most of the dog bite injuries that leash laws attempt to eliminated are, however, not from these types of dogs but rather from other breeds that are simply not trained and properly socialized.

Leash laws for Pit bull type dogs or dogs listed within a specific law as a vicious breed may include additional safety features that the owner has to comply with in order to have that particular breed, cross breed or type of dog. In most places this includes a muzzle law that indicates that these breeds have to be muzzled with a specific type of muzzle before being allowed outside of the owner's home or enclosed yard area.

Typically dogs that are caught up in this law are not always Pit bulls, nor have they necessarily ever shown anything other than wonderful social behavior. Many owners feel that these breed leash laws and muzzle laws are highly discriminatory and do a real injustice to the wonderful dogs that may fall within the regulations. Often dog owners that have Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Staffordshire Terriers and even Boxers and crosses between these breeds and others find that they are subject to the same laws, even though their dog is not a Pit bull. Owners may have a great deal of difficulty proving their dog is not a Pit bull type nor is it violent or aggressive. In some cases owners have been forced to rehome their dogs or move out of an area because of the laws, despite their dog never having shown any signs of aggression.

For Breed Specific Leash Laws and Muzzle Laws

One of the major reasons why specific breeds and breed types have been targeted for muzzle and leash laws is because of the occurrence of very serious attacks. Pit bulls and Pit bull types typically are more likely to be involved in dog bites and attacks that are significant and severe, even in rare cases causing disfigurement or loss of life. Although these attacks are extremely rare and isolated they do happen, causing a natural reaction by the general public to these dogs.

In most cases dogs that are involved in a serious dog attack either on another dog, pet or animal or on a human are going to be euthanized under a court order. Under some laws the owners of the aggressive dog may be banned from owning dogs in the future, regardless of the breed of the dog.

It is truly unfortunate that breeds such as the Pit bull are often selected by inhumane and cruel owners that actually develop aggression within the dogs. These individuals are directly responsible for the horrible underground dog fighting issues as well as the public misunderstanding about these breeds. Stricter punishment for people found breeding, training and raising dogs for fighting is seen by responsible breeders as the way to control the issue of aggressive dogs. The general public, however, often responds only to the headlines, wanting all dogs of that type kept out of their neighborhood and area.

Against Breed Specific Leash Laws and Muzzle Laws

There is a rising concern the types of leash laws that are being implemented in many areas are actually going to contribute to the possibility of increasing dog aggression. Many trainers and breeders point to the fact that all dogs are social and pack animals by nature, so eliminating the chance for free social interaction in places like dog parks and off-leash areas is actually leading to a decrease in socialization opportunities for canines. When dogs aren't socialized properly and routinely they are much more likely to be aggressive, resulting in more likelihood of problem behaviors.

Proponents of more options for all dog breeds with regards to control, muzzling and leash laws aren't advocating that every dog should be off-leash all the time. Rather they are stating that dogs need to be judged on their behavior and socialization, not on their breed and physical appearance. They correctly point to the fact that many of the small dogs and toy breeds are more likely to bite someone or something than most of the Pit bull type breeds. After all we have all seen toy dogs that snap, snarl and bite at anyone but their owners that simply don't have to have the same muzzle restrictions as a larger breed that is completely calm and very friendly.

Balancing between public safety and peace of mind and opportunities for dogs to interact and socialize is a difficult job. As a dog owner be sure to know what the leash and muzzle laws in your area for your particular breed of dog.

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