Should you Ban The Breed or the Deed?  Looking at BSL (Breed Specific Legislation).
                             
                       A WebQuery for 7th/8th Grade
                                      Designed by
                          Victoria DiMaggio Hiday
                                  hidayv@cwu.edu


 
                                                      meanpit            pitty with child

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Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion
                                             

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Introduction
We in America LOVE our dogs!  As of a 2005-2006 National Pet Owners' Survey, almost half of all US households have a dog (thats 73 million dogs)!!  I would wager many of us can think of our favorite dog (maybe Lassie? Air Bud?) or a favorite breed of dog that makes us smile (Golden Retriever? German Sheperd?)

But should some breeds be banned?  Recently there has been a movement to ban, or at least put strict laws on those breeds that have been deemed "dangerous."  "Pit Bulls,"  German Sheperds, Dobermans and Rotweillers, for example, have all been deemed at one time or another "vicious" and "aggressive" breeds.  Much discussion and debate surrounds whether laws can, or should, be created to control these breeds (and their owners).   Understandably, owners of these breeds, and many other concerned dog owners are not happy about the prospect of being told which dogs they can own or how to own them.  And it begs the question..how does someone even decide if a certain breed should be labeled "aggressive?"

This brings us to your task at hand.  Welcome to the Hope City Council BSL (breed specific legislation) committee.  The Mayor of Hope City is concerned as she has heard reports of a Pit Bull biting a child in the state as well as received letters from citizens asking for legislation of Pit Bulls and their owners within the city.  The mayor, not a dog lover herself, has asked for the formation of a BSL committee to gather and report the data on the need and effectiveness of Breed Specific Legislation for "Pit Bulls".  She would like the committee to investigate and then report their findings.  She would like to know, after their research, whether the committee recommends legislation to ban "Pit Bulls" from Hope City 
  



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Task

Should Hope City ban "Pit Bull" breeds?  The Mayor has asked that the BSL committee research breed specific legislation in order to prepare a multimedia (i.e. Power Point) presentation to the city council.  This should be a minimum fifteen minute presentation with a minimum of ten to fifteen slides presentating the committee's findings and recommendations.  She would like you to include images as well as important information and statistics on the problem at hand.  The mayor and the rest of the city council are not familar at all with dogs/dog breeds so this presentation should be informational as well as persuasive  

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The Process
At a minimum, the Mayor would like to have the following addressed in the presentation:



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Resources

 HSUS Statement on Dangerous Dogs and Breed-Specific Legislation
 http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/dangerous_dogs.html


Pit Bull Rescue Central
http://www.pbrc.net/breedspecific.html


Practicality Of Breed Specific Legislation In Reducing Or Eliminating Dog Attacks On Humans And Dogs.
http://www.dogplay.com/Articles/MyArticles/pitbull.html


ASPCA Breed Specific Legislation
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/breed-specific-legislation.html


Dogsbite.org--national dog bite victim advocacy group
http://dogsbite.org/
http://dogsbite.org/legislating-dogs.htm
http://dogsbite.org/legislating-dogs-bsl-faq.htm


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Evaluation
CATEGORY
5
3
1
Information Provided
Group completely and correctly addresses all the critical components asked for within the presentation
Group completely and addresses all the critical components asked for within the presentation; some information may not be accurate
Group does not necessarily completely address all the critical components asked for within the presentation; some information may not be accurate.
Enthusiasm
Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.
Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.
Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.
Preparedness
Group is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.
Group seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.
The group is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.
Collaboration with Peers
Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together.
Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.
Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.
Creativity
Presentation is interesting and visually appealing; a lot of creative energy has been put into the multimedia presentation
Presentation is interesting, but not as visually appealing as a 5; work and creative energy has been put into the multimedia presentation
Presentation is mildly interesting and visually appealing; some creative energy has been put into the multimedia presentation




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Conclusion
It is hoped that through this experience you've learned not only how much work and how difficult it can be for government officials to make balanced informed decisions, but as well how important it can be for citizens to be active  in civic matters.  Think about if you were an owner of a "pit bull" breed in Hope City and found out that BSL was being considered?  Would you want to speak up during this decision process?   What about if you were an owner of a golden retriever?  How might it benefit you to speak up as well?  

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