Here's an article from Australia which I thought might interest you. It discusses the flaws of BSL as a route to reducing canine aggression toward humans.
ABSTRACT
There is no evidence in the literature to support the notion that restricting particular breeds helps reduce dog attacks. Breed specific legislative measures reflect a simplistic and unrealistic appreciation of the causal factors involved. Real solutions are available but of necessity, they must involve a multidimensional approach involving dog owners, parents, children, the community at large, local authorities and legislators.
Breed specific legislation has been seen as a reasonable opening legislative gambit by some but only in as much as it signals a political intent to do something about trying to minimize dog aggression accidents and injuries. It is appropriate now that the goal should be to do something useful.
I've just skimmed it but plan to read it later on today.
In this month's Dogs in Canada is an article about canine aggression. There's mention of Dr Nick Branson, who is currently doing postdoctoral work with Dr Karen Overall at the University of Pennsylvania. Here are a couple of snips:
Dr Nick Branson, an Australian veterinarian now conducting research at the University of Pennsylvania on canine behaviour and genetics, is working to find a way to make a reliable determination of aggression propensities [sic] by specific breed or size.
To date, the results of Dr Branson's research are proving that when it comes to dog aggression, breed appears to be completely irrelevant.
I'll look forward to hearing more about the research being done at the Canine Behavioral Genetics lab and to reading any upcoming publications.
