Pit Bull Terrier Illegal in Many Places But Why

Pit Bull Terriers are often misunderstood and have a bad reputation, leading to their ban in many places. In fact, according to the article, over 800 cities and towns in the United States have some form of pit bull ban.

These bans are often due to the stereotype that pit bulls are aggressive and prone to biting. However, this stereotype is not entirely accurate, as the article notes that most dog bites are not caused by pit bulls.

Despite their friendly nature, pit bulls have been involved in some high-profile attacks, which has contributed to their negative reputation. The article cites a study that found that pit bulls are responsible for a disproportionately high number of dog bites, but also notes that this may be due to the fact that pit bulls are often kept as pets in urban areas where there are more people and potential victims.

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

BDL targets specific breeds, and pit bull terriers are often the ones affected. Different breeds have been targeted over time, including German Shepherds and Dobermans.

The term "pit bull ban" is sometimes used to describe BDL, but it's more accurate to say that BDL refers to legislation that prohibits any dog breed.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that breed-discriminatory legislation does not improve public safety.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) did an in-depth review of dog bite studies in 2014, looking at data from 10 countries over 40 years, and concluded that there is no evidence that breed-specific bans reduce the rate or severity of bite injuries.

Cities in the United States that enacted BDL in the 1980s and 1990s have decades of data showing that it does not reduce dog bites or make communities safer.

The Public Health Department of Aragon, Spain studied dog bites before and after BDL, finding that it was not effective in protecting people from dog bites in a significant manner.

A study in the United Kingdom found that the ban on "pit bulls" did not decrease dog attacks.

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In many cities and states, pit bull terriers are considered a public safety risk and are subject to breed-specific legislation.

Local governments have implemented regulations to restrict the ownership of pit bull terriers, such as requiring special permits or licenses.

Some cities have also banned the breed altogether.

These regulations are often based on a breed's perceived aggression and liability, but critics argue that they are unfair and ineffective.

Pit bull terriers are often lumped together with other breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, under the same breed-specific legislation.

This can make it difficult for responsible owners to distinguish themselves from irresponsible owners who may be contributing to the breed's negative reputation.

The American Temperament Test Society has actually found that the American Staffordshire Terrier has a passing rate of 86.8%, which is higher than many other popular breeds.

Animal groups aren't the only ones opposing Breed-Discriminatory Legislation (BDL). The Centers for Disease Control, the American Bar Association, the National Animal Control Association, and the Obama Administration are all against BDL.

These organizations understand that BDL doesn't address the root issue of irresponsible dog ownership, and instead focuses on the breed of the dog. The American Bar Association passed a resolution in 2012 urging local governments to adopt breed-neutral laws that focus on the behavior of both dog owners and dogs.

If you're wondering who else opposes BDL, you can check out Animal Farm Foundation's fact sheet, "Organizations That Do Not Endorse Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)" for a longer list of organizations that share this stance.

The fact is, many organizations have come to the same conclusion: BDL is not an effective way to address public safety concerns, and it can lead to unfair treatment of dogs and their owners.

In the UK, specifically in England and Wales, there are certain breeds of dogs that are banned. These breeds include the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. If your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be considered a banned type.

Suggestion: Why Pit Bulls Should Not Be Banned

XL Bully dogs are also banned in England and Wales, unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption. This is a specific requirement that applies to this breed.

You cannot own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption. If you do own an XL Bully dog, you'll need to check what to do next.

Here are the specific requirements for owning an XL Bully dog with a Certificate of Exemption:

As the owner of a banned dog, you must also follow these rules:

"Pit bull" is not an actual dog breed, but rather an umbrella term that includes several breeds and mixed-breed dogs.

The term "pit bull" is often misused, as it can refer to dogs with specific physical characteristics, such as a square head or barrel chest, regardless of their actual breed.

The American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are two breeds commonly included in the "pit bull" category.

The American Kennel Club doesn't recognize "pit bull" as a specific breed and has spoken out against breed-specific legislation.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed that originated in the United States and was initially recognized by the AKC in 1936.

It was named after the county of Staffordshire in England, where the breed's ancestors came from. The first dogs to be registered with the AKC were entered into the stud book under the name Staffordshire Terrier.

The breed was later renamed to American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972, as the AKC intended to recognize the British Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a separate breed.

The American Staffordshire Terrier has a muscular build and a short, shiny coat, with a broad head and a short muzzle.

Wilfred Truman Brandon founded the AKC Staffordshire Terrier Club of America, and the Colby dog named Colby's Primo was one of the first to be regarded as an ideal model of the breed standard in the AKC.

The AKC stud book was opened a few more times until it was last closed around the 1970s, and since then, the breed has been recognized as a separate entity from the American Pit Bull Terrier.

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The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) considers the American Staffordshire Terrier to be a separate breed, and since 2015, they classify most dual-registered dogs as American Staffordshire Terriers.

The ADBA conformation champion dogs differ greatly from UKC and AKC champion dogs, and the AKC standard does not accept red nose dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, multiple studies have found that pit bull terriers are not more aggressive than other dog breeds.

A 2008 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science determined that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of a dog's aggressive behavior.

Research has shown that Golden Retrievers, often considered a friendly breed, exhibit aggression at the same rate as targeted breeds.

The AVMA Literature Review stated that breed is a poor sole predictor of aggressiveness, making it difficult to support targeting a specific breed for dog bite prevention.

Here's a quick rundown of some key findings:

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is known for its strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm.

The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers, so good fencing is a must for this breed. This requires owners to take extra precautions to ensure their homes are secure.

According to the American Preservation Dog Registry (APDR), the temperament of the APBT must be totally reliable with people. This means that owners should socialize their dogs extensively to prevent any potential aggression issues.

In a 20-year study, Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human dog-bite-related fatalities in the United States. This highlights a potential breed-specific problem with fatalities.

Media portrayal has significantly impacted how the American public views the temperament of APBT, often exaggerating and exacerbating any real or potential problems that exist with the breed. This has led to a lower probability of adoption or even being taken into shelters for care.

The APBT has several bloodlines, many originating in "professional" dog fighting throughout the 20th century.

In the 1930s, a specific bloodline was recognized as a purebred breed by The Kennel Club in England, known as the Cradley Heathbull and terrier strain.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed was accepted and registered by The Kennel Club in England in 1935.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) in America had already registered a similar breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, years earlier.

The AKC finally decided to accept and recognize the American breed, but with a commitment that breeders would not breed dogs for dogfighting.

The breed was renamed by the AKC, but the exact name change is not specified in the provided article section facts.

Related reading: Boston Terrier New England

In the UK, it's against the law to own certain types of dog.

The UK has a list of banned dog breeds, including Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro.

XL Bully dogs are also banned in England and Wales.

Broaden your view: Banned Dog Breeds in England

Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.

If you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it.

This can happen even if your dog is not acting dangerously and there has been no complaint.

A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog you have and whether it is a danger to the public.

Your dog will then either be released or kept in kennels while the police or council apply to a court.

You're not allowed to visit your dog while you wait for the court decision.

You can give up ownership of your dog, but you cannot be forced to.

If you do, your dog could be destroyed without you going to court.

In Florida, private landlords can still ban pit bulls and German shepherds.

This is because the statute only applies to local governments and public housing.

Miami-Dade County used to have a ban on owning any dog that substantially conformed to a pit bull breed after 1990.

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However, this ban is now null and void.

Some cities in the US and the province of Ontario in Canada have also banned ownership of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

In the UK, it is against the law to own, sell, abandon, give away, or breed a Pit Bull Terrier.

Here are some countries with breed-specific legislation on pit bull-type dogs:

Studies have shown that traits traditionally ascribed to dog breeds are found in all breeds to varying degrees.

Behavioral factors show high variability within breeds, suggesting that breed alone is not enough to predict an individual's disposition.

Owner behavior and training have more of an impact on dog aggression than breed.