Are Pit Bulls Banned in Maryland and Why

Maryland has a complex history with Pit Bulls, which has led to some confusion about their status in the state. In 2002, the city of Baltimore passed a law banning Pit Bulls, but this law was later repealed in 2009.

Pit Bulls are not entirely banned in Maryland, but there are certain restrictions in place. For example, in 2012, the state passed a law requiring Pit Bull owners to carry liability insurance.

The breed-specific legislation (BSL) in Maryland is a topic of debate, with some arguing that it's effective in reducing dog bites and others claiming it's unfair to the breed.

A different take: Largest Breed of Pit Bulls

Breed-discriminatory legislation, or BDL, is any law or policy that prohibits or places restrictions on individual dogs because of their supposed breed.

Over time, different breeds have been targeted, including German Shepherds and Dobermans. Today, pit bull terriers are often the target of BDL.

BDL can be subtle, creating de facto bans through laws that don't outright ban pit bull terriers but create tough restrictions. For example, a law might require owners to buy expensive insurance policies or keep the dog muzzled at all times.

These restrictions can be so tough that many owners are forced to give up their family pets.

Breed-discriminatory legislation, or BDL, prohibits or restricts individual dogs based on their supposed breed, and it's often used to target pit bull terriers.

In the United States, multiple cities enacted BDL in the 1980s and 1990s to address dog bites, but decades of data show that it doesn't reduce dog bites or make communities safer.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reviewed dog bite studies from 40 years and 10 countries, concluding there's no evidence that breed-specific bans reduce the rate or severity of bite injuries.

Pit bull bans are often misused, as they don't outright ban the breed but create de facto bans through restrictive laws, such as requiring expensive insurance policies or keeping the dog muzzled at all times.

A fresh viewpoint: American Bull Dog Pit

Pit bull terriers are often misunderstood as being more aggressive than other dog breeds, but the truth is that multiple controlled studies have found no evidence to support this claim.

A 2008 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science determined that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of a dog's aggressive behavior. This suggests that individual dogs, regardless of breed, should be evaluated on their own unique characteristics and behavior.

In fact, a study comparing Golden Retrievers to targeted dog breeds found that Golden Retrievers showed aggression at the same rate as the other breeds, highlighting the importance of looking beyond breed alone when assessing a dog's temperament.

Intriguing read: Pitbull Female Dog

"Pit bull" is not a specific breed of dog, but rather an umbrella term that includes various dog breeds and mixed breed dogs. American Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are usually included in this term.

The term "pit bull" doesn't have a single definition, making it difficult to pinpoint a specific breed. A dog with certain physical characteristics, such as a square head or barrel chest, may be labeled a "pit bull" regardless of her actual breed.

It's essential to understand that "pit bull" is a broad term that encompasses many different breeds and mixes.

Multiple controlled studies have found that pit bull terriers are not more aggressive than other dog breeds. In fact, a 2008 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science determined that breed is a poor sole predictor of aggressiveness.

A study comparing Golden Retrievers to targeted dog breeds found that Golden Retrievers showed aggression at the same rate as pit bull terriers. This suggests that aggression is not breed-specific.

The AVMA Literature Review stated that given the poor correlation between breed and aggressiveness, it's difficult to support the targeting of pit bull-type dogs as a basis for dog bite prevention.

Here are some key findings from the studies mentioned:

In Maryland, breed-specific laws are not entirely banned, but there are certain restrictions on pit bulls.

The state's law, which took effect in 1997, restricts the ownership of pit bulls, but it's not a blanket ban.

Pit bulls are defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Expand your knowledge: Chihuahua Bull Terrier

Only certain counties and cities in Maryland have banned pit bulls, such as Montgomery County and Baltimore City.

The law requires pit bull owners to obtain liability insurance, register their dogs, and follow specific regulations.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and penalties.

Pit bull owners must also comply with local ordinances, which may be more stringent than state laws.