BSL is legislation that dictates what breeds are considered dangerous. It is designed to outlaw ownership of these breeds. Depending on the state or county you live in, BSL can apply to just about any breed of dog, though the most popular breeds that end up getting legislated (restricted or banned) are German Shepherd Dogs, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, and other large breed dogs.
Dog attacks can be for a variety of reasons, including organized dog fighting, responses of dogs to mistreatment, dogs acting as attack or guard animals, or the unexpected, random neighborhood altercation.
Less for dog fighting, which is illegal, well-trained dogs will not randomly attack another person. If more people were to train their dogs or not mistreat them (for those abusers out there), we would not have a need for BSL. Mistreatment of dogs includes hitting, kicking, tying them out all day with no food, water or shade (or at the least, for those dogs who are fed once per day, no water and shade), and other practices that may not necessarily make a dog mean, such as overfeeding, not grooming, etc.
If your dog is properly socialized, there should not be a problem with the "random neighborhood altercation." If your dog accidentally gets loose (i.e. kid opens the door and dog takes off), and is properly socialized, the dog will have no reason to attack a random person.
How do you properly socialize your dog, you ask? It is easiest to socialize your dog as a puppy take him everywhere, let him meet strangers, other dogs, introduce him to different animals, like cats, rabbits, other dogs, etc.. It is most important that you introduce your dog to other dogs, so he is not dog aggressive.
It is more work to socialize an older dog, but the same principles apply. If you have a seriously aggressive dog you are working with, you may want to try a muzzle on him while out in public. Gradually phase out the muzzle. It can be done without a muzzle, but you must be attuned to your dog's signals, and constantly be on watch.
Legislation that generalizes, such as something along the lines of "'Dangerous dogs' are defined, in part, as those which have aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property,' as well as those which have when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack'" would be proper legislation, and is not breed specific.
Legislation that specifically mentions one or more breeds should not be allowed. A person could have the friendliest pit bull or the meanest nastiest chihuahua. Just because a chihuahua is small, doe not mean it cannot bite and do some damage, but you will not see a chihuahua specifically mentioned in breed restrictions or bans.
BSL unfairly targets those who do have trained dogs that are labeled "dangerous" by either restricting or banning the breed, causing home owner's insurance rates to go up and not allowing the dog in a public place where dogs would otherwise be allowed. It also makes it difficult for people who show their dogs to go anywhere off the show-grounds with their dogs.
In conclusion, BSL is a way to phase out certain breeds of dogs, most of them the larger breeds. It does not keep abusers, dog-fighters, and puppy mills from doing their nasty deeds, but puts a strain on honest breeders and responsible pet owners.
