Another article on BSL effectiveness

muddypaws

Some people may be interested in reading this article. Veterinary Ireland are now looking at evidence so they can formulate their position on BSL and its effectiveness.

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/dog-bites-deer-droppings-and-public-health-protection-1.2241716

Nody

Páraic Ó Súilleabháin, a psychologist at NUI Galway, has shown that the number of people hospitalised for dog bites rose 50 per cent between 1998 and 2013, following the introduction of breed-specific legislation.

He says, “Targeting dogs by breed doesn’t identify potentially dangerous dogs. Research has found no difference in aggression or factors leading to biting between regulated and nonregulated breeds.”

Ó Súilleabháin says breed-based dog regulation in Ireland is behind international best practice: “With the exception of Veterinary Ireland, all international veterinary associations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the British Veterinary Association, strenuously oppose it.”

...

Highlighting an ongoing and in-depth policy review, Peter Bishton, deputy chief executive of Veterinary Ireland, says: “To veterinary colleagues in the local authority veterinary services, these regulations are of significant benefit for public safety in relation to dogs.”

Good old boys club at it again (I was told this in my days so it still has to be true!)...