Why I Support AAS

Quite simply, there are too many dogs. AAS recognized this long before I did. I used to think that there were just too many unwanted dogs, or too many dogs belonging to irresponsible owners.

While I'm not in favor of rounding up and killing existing dogs, I am in favor of strict breeding regulations to reduce dog overpopulation. Voluntary control of breeding has not worked; we still kill far too many unwanted dogs. Although I would like to see legislated controls on the breeding of all dogs, from pit bulls to Pomeranians, the political will does not yet exist to go that far.

I see the so-called "breed bans" as a means to an end. The fighting breeds tend to be the most abused dogs in our society. That's not to say that there aren't good homes and loved individual dogs, but as a group, they do suffer. The guarding breeds (yes, I'm aware that includes my own dogs) are a very close second. If we could outlaw the breeding and sale of dogs currently advertised in the newspapers as "gladiators" and "secret weapons" I think it would be a positive step.

It's not that I think that a breed ban or two will fix the problem of abused dogs overnight, I'm also in favor of banning the keeping of yard and guard dogs of any breed. Every one of those dogs that is rescued from a short brutal life by a caring compassionate family is easily replaced by backyard breeders eager to make a quick buck. The breeding and mistreatment of fighting and protection breed dogs won't stop until it is outlawed.

The bottom line for me is that dogs are treated as commodities in our society. As with any product, as long as supply exceeds demand then all dogs are devalued, it's just basic economics. The only realistic way to make life better for all dogs is to cut back on the supply, ergo, breeding controls.

AAS had the intelligence and courage to lead on this issue, I humbly follow and offer my support.