It has been an exciting few months for Families Against Breed Bans, better known as FABB, and we were equally pleased to see that one FABB devotee wanted to spread the word about FABB and chose to do so through Pasado’s Safe Haven newsletter. A HUGE thank you to Rita and all the great people of Pasado Safe Haven.

Here are is the article, or you can find the full article here.

“Attend a debate or campaign event during election season you’ll hear the familiar refrain of “family values” touted as a top priority for most elected officials. This usually means they’ll support programs that help heads of households provide their families with a stable and enriched life. That’s something we can all support! However, if you look a little closer, some of these same politicians take a position that is in direct conflict with family values. ”

Breed Specific Legislation restricts the breeding or ownership of certain breeds of dogs, usually the “bully” breeds including Pit Bulls and Mastiffs. Communities where a dangerous dog attack has occurred will sometimes pass BSL ordinances under the mistaken notion that banning a specific breed will safeguard them against future incidences. Many times local officials will pick up the “cause” without ever addressing the true source of the problem, irresponsible dog owners.

Pit Bulls have become the prime target of this legislation for a number of reasons. Media hype around Pit Bull attacks, the myths about Pit Bull strength and temperament and the scourge of Pit Bull fighting rings all contribute to the perception that these dogs are inherently dangerous and that the public needs to be protected from any and all exposure to them. When in fact, the opposite is true. These dogs need to be protected from dangerous people!

It’s irresponsible owners and breeders who have failed so many of these magnificent and loyal creatures. Any responsible and loving family who is lucky enough to have a Pit Bull as part of their pack will tell you that you can have no greater companion. They are extremely intelligent, gentle, playful, trusting and the best cuddlers! Nothing brightens your day more than a Pitty smile. But when a Pit Bull or any other breed of dog is confined, neglected and deprived of a stable, enriching environment, we all suffer. BSL punishes the breed based on the way they look, nothing else. A truly effective dangerous dog law holds the owner accountable. This is especially effective when there is a criminal component to keeping dangerous dogs, as in dog fighting.

Responsible families with Pit Bulls are suffering from discrimination in housing and home owners insurance. The net effect can mean breaking up a family because they can’t find a place to live. Ask any shelter and they’ll tell you about all the hundreds of friendly, balanced Pit Bulls surrendered to them because their family ran out of options.

Luckily, the tide is turning. Those with the best of intentions are fighting back against both the criminals who exploit Pit Bulls and the government officials whose knee-jerk reactions have created “tooth-less” laws that do nothing to stem dangerous dog attacks. Seattle, WA is currently the target of BSL advocates, but the Seattle area is also home to FABB, Families Against Breed Bans! Even if you don’t have a “bully” breed as part of your family, you should be concerned for a number of reasons. Your dog’s breed could be the next one to be included in BSL, or they can be mistakenly identified as a breed included in BSL. Just ask anyone who’s owned German Shepherds or Dobermans in the past. They too were discriminated against based on myths and ignorance”.

What you can do to help Ban BSL!

“Send your message of support for reasonable dangerous dog legislation by submitting a comment to the Seattle City council here. If you live in the Seattle area, join FABB to support their efforts, no matter where you and your pooches live! Let’s educate politicians and misinformed citizens as to the true nature of Pit Bulls and the true meaning of family values”.

* The sweet little guy pictured above is ‘Monkey’ who came all the way from New Orleans and is ready to go to his forever home. Contact Pasado Safe Haven for more information.

Here we are in all our FABB-ulous glory. The response to FABB from Seattle, and other parts of America, has been literally awe-inspiring. In a new article released by the Seattle PI just last year, we learned that there are 125,000 dogs and only 110,000 children residing in Seattle. This only confirms the obvious; Seattlelites love their dogs. FABB will continue to ensure that dog owners and dog advocats will stop at nothing to ensure that all dogs, of all breeds, are protected from the injustice that is Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

The fact that FABB even exists only confirms just how skewered this world is that we live in. I, for one, would much prefer to spend all the time I devote to FABB enjoying the company of my own dogs, and my wonderful husband, as well as helping to build a stronger community to live in – in other ways. But with the constant threat of BSL hanging over our shoulders (and the shoulders of every person who owns a dog) we need to push forth and ensure that we – the responsible dog owners are ensured the same liberties enjoyed by the rest of this country – the freedom to choose!

Although it is not a new subject, there has been a great deal of talk of ‘dangerous dogs’ in the past few years and the perceived dangerous breed seems to change with the changing fads, based on media hype and misinformed public perception. Unfortunately, very few of these governing bodies who are making decisions to confiscate and/or euthanize dogs are seeking out answers from experts in the field of canine behavior who actually work with dangerous dogs of every shape, size and breed. If they did, we would not even be discussing whether one particular breed of dog is more dangerous than another.

But here we are, a group of deeply devoted members (600+) who are eager to fight racism in all its forms, and this current form – often referred to as ‘breedism’ – appears in the shape of our four legged canine friends who we will do everything we can to protect from the ignorant and uneducated.