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The Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) believes that dog owners should be responsible for their dogs. GRCA supports reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of dogs. We support laws that: 1) establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as “dangerous” based on stated, measurable actions; 2) impose appropriate penalties for reckless or irresponsible actions by owners of such dogs; and 3) establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous. We believe that, if necessary, dogs proven to be “dangerous” may need to be humanely euthanized. GRCA strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be “dangerous” based on its breed or physical appearance.
GRCA opposes breed specific legislation. Although our breed is not typically targeted by such legislation, GRCA recognizes the danger in singling out one breed or another as inherently vicious. Such sweeping generalizations do little to increase public safety; they encourage unwarranted and unrealistic urban myths, and ignore the legions of families who own these targeted animals without incident.
We also support reasonable laws to protect the public from dangerous dogs and oppose breed-specific legislation in any form. GRCA believes that breed-specific laws target good dogs and responsible owners along with the bad. GRCA supports nuisance ordinances and dangerous dog laws to protect the community against unruly or dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog owners. GRCA supports sentences for violation of dog confinement and nuisance laws that include mandatory attendance at a basic obedience training class. AKC dog obedience clubs (www.AKC.org) have provided such classes for the general public for decades and, together with private trainers, they represent a well-established community resource for courts dealing with dog-related offenses.
February 2010
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