Breed-Specific Legislation Sample Letters to the Editor

Letter #1:

As a responsible dog owner, I am opposed to (insert bill number), which discriminates against dog owners simply because they choose to own a certain breed.  This bill will do nothing to protect our community.  It punishes responsible, law-abiding owners whose dogs are not a problem, and it’s unlikely to change the habits irresponsible dog owners who don’t obey our current dog laws.   

Lawmakers should focus their time on drafting and enforcing laws that hold all dog owners accountable for their dogs’ actions – regardless of what breed they own.  This will protect our community, as well as the rights of responsible dog owners like me. 

Letter #2 (For owners of targeted breeds)

As the responsible owner of a (name the breed), I am extremely concerned about the impact that (insert bill number) would have on (my/my family’s) ability to own our beloved dog (Insert dog’s name).  (Briefly tell about dog in one sentence – mention if it has titles, does therapy work, loves children, etc.).  Our dog is not the problem in the community, yet we and our dog are being punished simply because of its breed.  

I urge the (legislature, city council – be specific) to vote “no” on this proposal and instead hold all dog owners accountable for their dogs, rather than discriminating against responsible dog owners like me simply because I choose to own a (insert breed name).

Letter #3 (for taxpayers)

As a concerned taxpayer, I am opposed to (insert bill #), which would (ban ownership, restrict ownership – be specific) of specific breeds of dogs. 

Regulations that target specific breeds force animal control officers to become breed identification experts in order to identify whether or not a dog is one of the targeted breeds, and draws their attention away from true animal control matters. Breed specific policies will fill our shelters with family pets than cannot legally be kept or adopted out because their breed has been “blacklisted”. Our limited tax dollars will have to be used to care for or euthanize dogs that would otherwise never have ended up in a shelter. 

Instead of arbitrarily targeting specific breeds, lawmakers should focus their attention on dangerous dog policies that hold all dog owners accountable for their pets. This would prove far more cost-effective, enforceable and humane.