Fidos and Footwear
Fidos and Footwear is a photography project I undertook to educate people about BSL, breed specific legislation. I own (or perhaps am owned by) Bradley, a Pit Bull Terrier mixed with Shar Pei. When Bradley became part of my life, I learned very quickly which insurance companies would and would not provide coverage for my home due to Bradley’s breed.
Breed specific legislation is designed to place restrictions on the ownership of certain breeds of dogs. Typically Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Presa Canarios, Dobermans, Cane Corsos, Huskies and Boxers are targeted. In my mind, these breeds aren’t any more aggressive than smaller dogs. In fact, I have never been bitten by a pit bull or large breed during a photo session, but I have been bitten by cocker spaniels and Chihuahuas.
Many towns and cities who use BSL in an effort to control aggressive dogs also ban mixes of these breeds. You may be wondering how these dogs are being identified? Oftentimes, dogs are being misidentified, hence the large range of breeds in this collection.
It’s time we start looking at dogs as individuals and not by their breed when it comes to legislation.