5 things you need to know to be a better advocate against BSL

*This is a post by Tara Garland.

Most dog lovers, especially those who own those labeled as “gaurs,” are up against breed-specific and discriminatory laws. It is a passionate subject, but effective exercise requires not only a lot of heart, but also a lot of thought.

Here are tips to help you speak confidently and accurately on behalf of your dog.

Do not choose the dog “Pit Bull”

To quote Emily Douglas, the blogger behind the dog has not been studied:

“Every time you utter a phrase like “pit bulls are the most loyal dogs” or “pit bulls used to be nanny dogs because they’re great with kids” or “pit bulls are athletic dogs and work best because they’re built for it “and as such, you’re telling pit bulls they’re right, and pit bulls are in fact different from other dogs.”

It was this thought process that led to racial segregation. As soon as we begin to generalize about an entire breed or type of dog, we will clear up the argument we are trying to make.

Instead, focus on the simple fact that all dogs are individuals.

All dogs are grateful for us to see them for who they really are, free of stereotypes, stereotypes and assumptions based on known pedigrees, conjectures, breed labels, physical appearance, or a person’s past they.

Remember your audience and don’t forget to talk about safety

Remember that you’re not just talking to dog owners, you’re talking to non-dog owners and sometimes people who aren’t particularly interested in animals. Talking about how good your dog is wouldn’t be telling someone who is afraid of dogs.

Instead, be a community advocate. Being a human. And as we’ve established, don’t just be a “pit bull” dog owner, be an advocate for all dogs and for the safety of the community.

Refuse to play the game of division between us and them. Remind everyone that we all want the same thing, public safety and a humane community. Try to find compassion for those in disagreement. Find something in common that we all share and have a respectful, honest conversation.

The aim is not to argue, but to better understand their concerns, fears, and problems as they understand them. Be calm and consider. Be knowledgeable and trustworthy. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t change someone’s mind on the first try. You have planted effective seeds for change that will one day make a difference.

In Quebec, protests against the BSL have been labeled as “pro-pit bulls,” which in a way set aside the people’s very legitimate concerns. Protesting the BSL is about equal treatment of all dogs but it is also about creating regulations that work and protect people. Many of us targeted by BSL also have to deal with negligent dog owners, chained dogs etc and our own safety issues as well.

Don’t minimize people’s fears

Politics is often driven by fear. In our city, a tragic event led to the passage of breed-specific legislation. Our mayor used the slogan, “people first!” and people bought it. That is politics. What people didn’t do and some still don’t realize is that BSL doesn’t put people first. It puts politics first. It’s an easy way for politicians to say “problem solved.”

And it doesn’t take away the problems people fear.

In our city no one enforces the rules. Until this incident, no one had been tasked with enforcing basic rules like leash laws, etc. There was a completely disorganized and ineffective method for reporting dog bites. – maybe through our police, city, one of two different animal control services and without any way to communicate with each other.

Fast forward to post-BSL, none of that has changed and that’s the problem.

Addressing these issues when the BSL debate is really important. On the surface, it looks like politicians crossing the BSL are concerned with the safety of the people. Scratch the surface and you can find a great help in banding for some very real defects in their laws. Remind everyone that you are also fighting for safety, that dangerous dogs care about you too. If you have children mention that their safety is important to you.

Don’t deny other dog owners by blaming the owners

One of the most listenable lines that I hear as a record is broken is, “chihuahuas bite more.” It is hypocritical to fight against the BSL and then turn around and target another dog. Chihuahuas also face stigma and they are also struggling in shelters. Dog owners need to stand together.

Yes, small dog bites can be serious but, although breed is not related to the bite, size is. I’ve never seen someone sway in the comments sections of the chihuahua controversy. It’s a dead end.

Always speak in a way that encourages people to see all dogs as individuals. You don’t want to inadvertently continue the cycle of discrimination and create similar problems for other dogs in the future.

If you are going to protest, choose your signs and words wisely

If you are bringing a sign to a rally, remember that the sign will be seen by a lot of people. Many of them don’t understand BSL or aren’t dog people. Go with something people will understand. “This law does not make us safer” or “the livestock ban does not make us safer”. Also, don’t forget that most people don’t know what BSL means, so avoid acronyms if you can.

If you’re being supportive on social media through your own posts and shares, follow Emily Douglas’ advice on critical thinking and research:

“Don’t just share an article because you have a positive emotional reaction to the title. Read the entire article, considering who wrote it and who the intended audience is. Assess the quality of information and its presentation. Consider which sources of information and experts are cited.”

And the general obvious, no swearing or insulting people, no name calling and for the love of the dog, spell check your comment!

And most importantly, don’t let it suck you in. Advocate for your dogs but take care of yourself. Working to end breed-specific laws can cause a lot of stress, fear, and anxiety. You will be your best self if you rest when you need to.