In the UK, including Northern Ireland, we have laws banning four specified breed of dog: Pit Bull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentina and Fila Braziliero. The ban includes mixed breed dogs "of type" who might actually be mixes of legal breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers, bulldogs and mastiffs. They are judged on appearance. Many family pets with no history of aggression have been seized; and at the same time "bsl" doesn't appear to have helped to promote responsible dog ownership, to reduce dog biting incidence or to stop illegal dog fighting.

Belfast dogs Lennox (r.i.p. 2012) and Hank (incarcerated at present)have received massive publicity, so I wrote an wrote an Irish song. Loosely based on The Johnny Jump Up and Master McGrath with a couple of phrases you may recognise from other songs. (I just wrote the verses today so it may change through the folk process or by my own intervention)

BSL SONG
(Philippa Robinson)

You know in oul' Ireland we've great people and dogs
And animal abusers and very poor laws
Dog wardens can come and seize a loved pet
And call for the dog to be killed by a vet.
　
BSL law for nigh on 25 years, has left
many a loving dog owner in tears
The law killed Patch and the law killed Lennox
They werent pitbulls; anti-breed law is bollocks.

And if a pet's a pitbull, then what's that to you?
Can you prove that they bite more than other dogs do?
It's true of dog fighting we must make an end.
You'll not do that by killing somebody's best friend.

On the 15th of July in this year of renown,
Eight armoured policemen stormed through Belfast town
To seize just one dog, the innocent Hank,
Like delivering parking tickets by armoured tank.　

"Just sign the dotted line," the dog wardens say
"We'll feed your Hank well, till his last dying day"
"No, nay, never" was his owners' retort,
"We'll do all that we can, we will see you in court."

Oh never oh never oh never again
If I live to a hundred or a hundred and ten
Will I trust dog wardens, police women and men
Who tell me they're doing their best for our friends.

Who tell me they are just upholding the law
and doing their best for people and dogs.
Hank's people can't see him, Hank can't go on walks
'Twould drive a man crazy, and the same for a dog.

They killed Lennox, they killed Patch,
Too many others whose names I didnt catch.
This cruel law makes dog lovers weep
Lets all get together, put bad laws to sleep.