Sometimes laws are good and are in effect to protect us. Sometimes laws are not and are designed to restrict our freedom and rights and, at times, threaten our lives. Laws based on cool logic tend to be more just than those founded on heated emotions. And, we’re not barking about laws to regulate our humans, we’re barking about laws that humans pass that concern us canines.

Laws that govern or restrict things like Greyhound racing and puppy mills are, for the most part, wonderful. Some laws though, especially on a local level, that result from neighbor squabbles are frequently enacted “out of frustration with little consideration for the consequences.”

For example, cases of dog attacks have caused legislators to foam at the mouth and rabidly pass laws that restrict and/or ban certain breeds or mixes perceived as aggressive, at times a perception based on appearance and nothing more. Just imagine if humans passed legislation on blondes limiting what they could do for a living because some yellow-haired CEO just ripped off his employees of their retirement funds and bilked his shareholders. But, I digress.

In Ohio, any pit bull-looking dog is in danger of being labeled a pit bull and considered vicious even though it may be the most gentle of pooches. And, supposedly, if a dog warden says a dog’s a pit bull, it’s a pit bull unless there’s strong evidence or documentation otherwise. And, reportedly, some Ohio dog wardens and city/village council members urge communities to ban any and all pit bull look-alikes, putting any short-haired, broad-headed, muscular dog in danger.

But, it’s not just in Ohio as Denver lawmakers, tired of dealing with pit bull terrier attacks on locals, have brought in legislation to ban the breed from that city. Taken to its extreme, authorities could be empowered to go door-to-door, confiscating and euthanizing perfectly mellow companion pets because of their appearance or lineage. Hey, don’t take bad, criminal and anti-social human behavior out on us! Lock up the humans, don’t punish the dogs!

On a positive note, there are states like Florida, Minnesota and Virginia, which, while affirming a local government’s power to enact restrictions on dangerous or vicious dogs, prohibits those restrictions from being breed- or crossbreed-specific.

Personally, I’m glad I’m a bloodhound and am perceived to be an aide to humankind. But my heart goes out to my pit bull and pit bull-looking buddies. Tell you what, why don’t they put me on the trail of humans who get us dogs in trouble? I’ll be more than glad to hunt them down!