Get Real about Dog Legislation

Speaking as a dog training instructor, and former breeder of Alaskan Malamutes I think banning breeds is a bandaid fix. Take away pit bulls and ignorant owners will then move on to Dalmations, Boxers or German Shepherds and ruin them too. I believe it's careless owners, brokers, retailers and both backyard and greedy breeders at the root of this problem. Solution? Require breeding licenses for all breeds, even your Heinz 57. Issue breeding licenses only on dogs that pass the American Kennel Clubs "Canine Good Citizen" program, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip dysplasia examinations, or any other of the myriad breed-specific problems that responsible breeders will be trying to direct their current breeding program away from. Direct some funds to Animal Control so they could contact the hundreds of ads in newspapers and collect some breeding fee's from anybody selling puppies. If they knew it would cost them $250.00 to breed Fluffy so the kids could see "The Miracle Of Birth", they would just rent a video. Many people wouldn't want to "breed her once to reimburse her purchase cost" either. Requiring dog breeding licenses would go a long way toward settling the issue. Only truly responsible breeders would comply and buying from them would be a hallmark of quality they would be proud to share with prospective puppy parents.
Make careless owners more responsible by sending them for instruction in dog ownership responsibilities when they violate currently existing dog laws. The laws are there to work with. Enforce them and expand education requirements. Poor parents have to go to parenting classes, to hunt legally requires you to have gun safety courses, why not do the same for dog owners since a large dog can be so dangerous? As someone who is constantly exposed to being able to enlighten people how to understand and train their dogs, I shake my heads when people don't get it. I feel bad for those puppies doomed for the pound because of ignorant owners.
Crack down on irresponsible breeders, retailers and owners. Just lighten up on the dog. He's only what we make him.