Update: Breed Specific Legislation in Boston
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) will do little to protect people and dogs from being attacked by other dogs. Nonetheless, yesterday, the Boston City Council voted 7-4 in favor of "some of the most comprehensive restrictions on pit bull ownership in the state," according to Donovan Slack's, article, "Council approves pit bull restrictions," in today's Boston Globe. "Mayor Thomas M. Menino pledged to sign the measure when it reaches his desk."
The same author reported on the question, Muzzle or nuzzle? yesterday.
If Boston pit bull owners are going to change their mayor's mind, it is in their best interest to practice and promote responsible dog ownership now. It certainly does not help the breed's cause in Boston that, yesterday, the same day that the Council voted in favor of the ordinance, a Boston police officer's pit bull, missing since the night before, attacked a Shiba Inu inflicting a broken leg and puncture wounds, according to Elisabeth J. Beardsley and Sheila Halloran's story, "Deadly attack puts pit bulls in doghouse," in the Boston Herald.
Last week, "police shot and killed a pit bull after the dog attacked an exterminator, a dog catcher and a cop and killed another dog yesterday afternoon in Roslindale" according to David Weber, writing in the Herald ("Raging pit bull killed by cops after vicious attacks on 3"). Dog-owners, please, if your dog will be home when a contractor will be doing work in your home, restrain your dog and advise the contractor that there is a dog on the premises.
It is unacceptible when a dog of any breed attacks people or other dogs. It is also illegal (see Code of Ordinances, City of Somerville, Massachusetts, Sec. 3-33. Disturbance of the peace by dogs.) Breed specific legislation will not stop dog attacks; responsible dog ownership and enforcement of existing laws will. If you are the victim or the witness of a dog-attack, please report the incident to the local authorities. I did.