Saturday, August 4, 2012

BSLs, Pit Bulls and Insurance Companies

Much has been published, posted and shared this summer on social media about the so-called "pit bull", which is really a term used for multiple breeds of dogs, namely, the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Several dogs have been murdered by city and state governments simply for looking like a "pit bull" when they were, in fact, not. This was done under these BSLs (Breed Specific Laws).

While it is true that these dogs are the favored breeds for the underground dog fighting crowd because of their compact size, ease of training and their natural temperament to want to please and protect their humans, other dogs are also used in this horrifying event mistakenly called a sport. And while the media has hyped each and every incident of human attacks by "pit bulls", they've ignored the long history of these dogs being loving, well-behaved and exceptional companions to their humans.

A few years ago I ran into some trouble with my homeowner's insurance policy after one of the insurance reps came out to inspect the house after I had remodeled. She heard my dog, Sam, a Chow-Chow, in the house barking and asked about my dogs. I told her about the 3 dogs I had at the time, which also included a Norfolk Terrier named Baby Girl and a Great Dane named Sadie. She completed her inspection and left, never saying another word about my dogs. Imagine my surprise, then, when I received notice a couple weeks later that my homeowner's policy was being cancelled due to 2 dogs that were on the Nationwide Insurance ban list: Chow-Chow and Great Dane. Just before receiving the letter I had lost Sadie to a snake bite, but Sam was still with me. In order to keep my policy I had to sign a waiver that if Sam bit anyone I would be personally responsible for all monetary claims, essentially letting Nationwide off the hook for covering any claims that dealt with Sam in any way.

Of course, I was most shocked to learn they had, and the inclusion of Great Danes on, a ban list. In all the years I've had dogs, and I rescued my first dog in 1968 at the age of 4, I've never heard of a Great Dane attacking anyone in any situation other than protection of their humans, and even then the attacks were not serious and no deaths were ever brought to my attention. So why were these 'Gentle Giants' included on this list? Of course, the number one position on that list was the so-called "pit bull".

My very first rescue was what was known as a 'white dog'. These were dogs that were trained to attack blacks, on sight. Many people in the South in the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's trained dogs to hate blacks because the people were bigots, red-necks and the lowest of the low in the class of humanity. After loving and training and correction, Riley was trained out of his brainwashing robotic need to attack blacks. I won't say he was ever friendly to anyone with dark skin in Vivian, but he never attacked anyone, either.

And I wonder why the media doesn't report the cases where "pit bulls" have saved people's lives? Why do they only report on incidents involving attacks? Why not do stories about the animals in homes with babies and small children where the dog acts as child minder without being asked? Alerting parents when children are hurt or putting themselves in danger, when they prevent children from getting close to stairs, stoves, glass objects or other things that could harm the child? Where are all those reports?

Yes, my Sam was territorial. That's a natural trait in the Chow-Chow breed, just as it is in many breeds, though it does seem to be a bit more intense in Chow-Chows. However, Sam never attacked anyone physically. He barked and growled at a few and even prevented a break-in in my home when someone tried to enter through a rear window into the den. I'm sure that burglar needed to change his pants after Sam greeted him when the curtains were pulled aside!

The thing is, I've met Chihuahuas that were vicious and had bit many, many people, including children. I've met Maltese who were violent and bit people just for walking near them. I even knew a Beagle once who was so mean that only one person could get near her and she even bit him more than once. So, all of this proves it's not a breed that designates a nasty tempered vicious dog. It's all about the way that individual dog was raised and the circumstances of their life that determines whether a dog is calm, gentle and loving or hyper, violent and vicious. Hmmmm, kinda sounds like people doesn't it?

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