Dogs are a part of the family. When we move, our dogs come with us. But that could be harder for some families, depending on their furry friend’s breed. In many states, all landlords have to do is look at a dog and say no. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and other muscular dogs are just some of the many canines that suffer because of this. It’s time to put an end to these outdated rules.
There is no science to prove that any breed is naturally dangerous. Dogs are dogs, so they should be treated equally. Luckily, a new Texas bill might be the answer.
Ending Breed Discrimination
The Texas House Bill 3798 would stop allowing breed discrimination in public housing. Texas has over 60,000 public housing units, many of which don’t allow “aggressive” breeds. But of course, many of the dogs they ban are some of the sweetest and most well-behaved. It’s unfair that these dogs aren’t welcome in as many places.
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Luckily, the bill passed in the House Committee of County Affairs unanimously. It seems that many people agree that breed discrimination laws aren’t fair.
“Breed discrimination is an outdated assumption, that is not supported by science, hurting families and forcing them to make an unthinkable decision to part with their pet,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society.
In fact, the most commonly banned dog breed is a Pit Bull. But the term “Pit Bull” doesn’t necessarily refer to one specific breed. It’s a nickname given to dogs with muscular builds. So, without this new bill, landlords can look at a dog and ban them because their appearance fits the Pit Bull description. But a dog’s individual personality should matter more than their looks.
What’s Next for This Bill?
Next, this legislation will be debated at the Texas House Committee on Calendars. If it passes with a majority vote, it will then move on to the Senate. So, it might take a while for this bill to become a reality, but it will be a huge success for dogs if it does.
“Residents of public housing should not be unfairly targeted by policies that go around existing state law,” Castle said. “HB 3798 would give Texas citizens the treatment their families deserve and lead to happier Texas communities.”
Dogs deserve to stick with their families, no matter where they live. We’re currently headed in the right direction, especially since Colorado ended their ban on Pit Bulls as pets in 2020. But of course, we still have a long way to go. Keep showing the world how loving all dog breeds can be because no dog should be defined by their appearance.
H/T: wfaa.com
Featured Image: @pbaoa/Facebook
Toledo, United States.
