People are afraid of pit bulls.
 

I understand. I used to be too. It seems like the news is full of stories about vicious attacks and dog fighting rings. It isn’t hard to jump to the conclusion that pit bulls should be banned.
 

My senior year of high school, my stepmom, who has a long history of working with dogs, brought our first foster pit bull into our home. Since then, we have taken in numerous breeds of dogs, including black labs, Pomeranians, Weimaraners, dachshunds and quite a few pit bulls. My brother, my dad and I were originally wary of the dangers of having pit bulls in the house. Since then, we have all been converted. With only one exception, the pit bulls we’ve met have proven to be the friendliest, least aggressive dogs we’ve cared for.
 

So when I heard that my home state of Florida is considering a dog regulation bill aimed at pit bulls, it hit close to home. I’m used to anti-pit bull sentiment; a number of areas have breed-specific legislation against pit bulls and when I tell people what kind of dog my family cares for, I know to expect a condescending grimace. And although the Senate sponsor of the Florida bill has acknowledged that his chief target is pit bulls, the legislation also includes several other breeds of dogs, a welcome, if still not exactly satisfying, reminder that no breed has a monopoly on public fear. But the news that my own state was considering joining the list of pit bull haters still didn’t sit well with me.
 

In response to the proposed legislation, The St. Petersburg Times looked at the 10 fatal dog attacks that have occurred in Florida over the last five years. Several breeds were implicated in deadly incidents, including not just pit bulls but such “family friendly” dogs as boxers, golden retrievers, Weimaraners and others. In nine of the deaths, human error played a part. In at least one case, the attacker was misidentified as a pit bull; according to The Times, dog attacks are often incorrectly pinned on pit bills.
 

Dogs can be lovable. They can be friendly and affectionate and loyal. They also can occasionally be dangerous. Owners have a responsibility to take as many precautions as possible to ensure that their dogs are safe. They should neuter their dogs, keep them on a leash and generally take proper care of them. Parents should also be careful not to leave their small children alone with dogs, as they are the victims of most dog bites.
 

Pit bull legislation unfairly targets a breed that is generally gentle and affectionate. While dog attacks are tragic, they are not just the work of pit bulls. Steps should be taken to protect our communities from animal violence; inciting public fear of pit bulls is not one of them.
 

Nathaniel French is a junior theater major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].