What is B.S.L.?
B.S.L. stands for Breed Specific Legislation. This is when our government decides to make a law that states a specific breed of dog is naturally more dangerous than any other breed of dog. With this type of law, certain breeds of dogs cannot be owned or bred and some cannot be walked in public without a muzzle, and still others can be confiscated and destroyed, just because someone happened to identify them as being on the Specific Breed List.

Experienced dog people have advised governments that it is the deed that should be punished and not the breed. We should hold the owners responsible for whatever they possess, control, obtain or handle, including canines. To state that a specific breed is more loving, more predictable, more dangerous or more compassionate than that of other Breeds - is Wrong !!

How did you get involved?
Having bred, raised and trained a 'bull breed' since 1970, my foot was already in the door. Through association in the dog world, I was asked to accompany a friend to a Council meeting in 1986 when I first heard mention of Breed Specific Legislation.

Since that time I have tried to educate the public and be a voice for the dogs on Advisory Committees to Council, through charitable dog organizations, my own websites, and more.

What is some of the good news?
The good news is, more and more every day, statistical information is proving that BSL does not work. More and more people are joining the fight against BSL and bombarding governments, local officials and politicians with these facts. More information is being put out there via websites, pamphlets, t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. in hopes of educating more people to what will work and what will not.

What is some if the bad?
BSL is spreading world-wide, and MORE people are needed to support the fight. There are just too many people that feel that because they don't have a dog that their voice is not needed OR because they own a dog but it is not targeted by any Breed Specific Law that BSL will not affect them and so they keep quiet.

The bad news is - BSL will affect everyone eventually if we don't stand united NOW. The list of targeted breeds will grow from 1 to 5 and then from 5 to 20 - if we do nothing.

What can people reading this do to help the cause?
Stand up and attend council meetings, hand-out educational pamphlets, man a display booth at local functions, wear a t-shirt that has a message (and helps fund the fight as well) or stick on a pin or bumper sticker that states a message (also helping with the funding)...

Speak up with letters to local politicians and government, at conventions and seminars to help educate others, email friends and family and educate them.

There is much that people can do to help. For more on how they can help, my Stand United site is there.

It’s Just So Wrong
7/1/2005

Recently I was passed an email with an attached picture of a beautiful female dog that was missing. I, with all my heart, hope they get her back. BUT - it said she is afraid of people and that means someone, trying to catch her, could run her right out into traffic. We all know how that might end. It's hard enough on a dog that is lost, but you add “people fear” and you have just made that dog's chances 100% worse for making it back home to the people who love her.

What makes dogs afraid of people, sounds, other dogs, horses, cars, etc.? Its lack of knowledge on the owner’s part to teach that dog about the world they live in - how unfair is that!?! read more...

Some of my favorite articles from the past month include:

The Undisputed Ugliest Dog in the World. (not for the faint of heart...)

Man Has Too Much Money to Spend (but who among us wouldn't do the same?)

Here He Comes to Save the Day! (Anybody see the movie 'The Jerk'?)

This is Happy. Both in name and in manner! Happy is one of the dogs that has found a new home. That's right! She's been adopted! Congratulations to Happy and her new family. Happy found her new home because of the hard work by people at the Metroport Humane Society, in Texas.

This little girl is Lola. I'm more a fan of the big, killer looking breeds... Pit Bulls, Cane Corsos, etc. But this baby girl is cute! And who knows, maybe she'd be a great guard dog after all. Lola is available for adoption in Ohio, so contact United Yorkie Rescue, Inc. soon!

This young guy is called Willy Wonka. He's found a new home thanks to the people at Kansas Pit Bull Rescue. I wonder what his new name will be? Or do you think they'll keep calling him Willy Wonka? Actually, he does look like a Willy!

All hail Caeser from Ohio. He's good looking and available. I'm sure may of you women out there know how rare that is! Caeser is possibly a Blue Heeler, but whatever he is, I'm sure he won't be homeless for long. Contact Wood County Humane Society for more info.

		This one was uploaded on June 29th by GoldenPapillions... I love this pic! What a great expression. It looks like he's sneezing or yawning, or just giving someone a belligerent look. Whatever he's doing, it makes for a classic dog pic.
Write a funny/silly/clever caption to the above pic and send it to chris@pupforum.com. I'll put the best ones in the next newsletter...

This pic was added to the member gallery by spookyrara. This one belongs on a postcard or something. Look at those eyes! The Pupforum community seems to be full of professional dog photographers!

Congratulations to Dogster, a fun dog site that was one of Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites 2005...

Ever get the feeling that your life just isn't quite complete? Maybe it's cuz you don't have the answers to all those nagging questions about the Taco Bell Dog!

And finally, I'll never outgrow comics... especially not the ones with such great artwork, thoughtful storylines, and clever humor.

Michelle Jackson (Michigan, United States)
Lysa Bea (Illinois, United States)
Andrea Nusbaum (California, United States)
Lise Hargrave (Quebec, Canada)