Pitbull Dog Banned: A Comprehensive Guide to BSL

Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) affects pitbulls in many parts of the world. BSL laws vary by country and state, but they often restrict or ban pitbull ownership.

In the United States, BSL laws are enacted at the local level. Over 1,000 cities and counties have BSL laws on the books. These laws can lead to the euthanization of pitbulls in shelters.

Pitbulls are often mistakenly identified as a single breed, but they are actually a group of dogs that include the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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BSL makes communities safer by regulating breeds that have a genetic propensity to attack and inflict severe injuries.

Enacting BSL can avert first attacks by these breeds, which often result in severe injury or even death.

According to DogsBite.org, first attacks by pit bulls almost always result in severe injury.

Data collected by DogsBite.org shows that between 2005 and 2019, there were at least 521 deaths due to dog bites, with 346 attributed to pit bulls.

Prior to BSL enactment in Prince George’s County, Maryland, there were 853 dog bites reported in 1996, with 108 from pit bulls.

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BSL makes communities safer by regulating breeds that have a genetic propensity to attack and inflict severe injuries.

Enacting BSL can avert first attacks by breeds like pit bulls, which almost always result in severe injury.

Data collected by DogsBite.org shows that between 2005 and 2019, at least 521 deaths were due to dog bites, with 346 attributed to pit bulls.

Prior to BSL enactment in Prince George's County, Maryland, there were 853 dog bites reported in 1996, with 108 from pit bulls.

14 years into the ban, overall dog bites had decreased by 43% and pit bull bites were down 35%.

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Communities pass BDL despite evidence it doesn't work because of a knee-jerk response to a dog bite in the community, fueled by a desire to improve public safety.

Legislation is often passed based largely on fear, as noted in one study on BDL.

A case in point is Prince George's County, Maryland, where five years after enacting BDL, the county created a task force to study its effectiveness. The task force found that BDL was not effective and very expensive.

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The task force advised the county to repeal the breed-discriminatory language, but the legislature refused to listen.

Today, cities and counties are repealing BDL at a higher rate than these laws are being passed, with over 100 municipalities overturning bans and restrictions targeting pit bull family dogs in the past two years.

Pit bull terriers are one of the most popular breeds in the United States, making it more likely for a person to own one than a Giant Schnauzer or a Portuguese Water Dog.

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BSL is ineffective at reducing dog bites and making communities safer. In fact, multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that breed-discriminatory legislation does not improve public safety. This is because BSL treats the result (a dog bite) instead of the cause (bad animal owners).

Miami-Dade County, Florida, has had a pit bull ban since the 1980s, but the county still euthanizes about 800 illegally owned pit bulls per year. Aragon, Spain, saw no changes in dog bite numbers five years before and five years after BSL was enacted.

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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) did an in-depth review of dog bite studies in 2014 and concluded: "There is no evidence that breed-specific bans reduce the rate or severity of bite injuries." This means that BSL is not an effective solution to addressing dog bites.

Research has shown that breed-specific legislation is largely ineffective at reducing the number of dog attacks. In fact, some cities have seen an increase in dog bites after implementing BSL. For example, following a pit bull ban in Council Bluff, Iowa, Boxer and Labrador Retriever bites increased, as did overall dog bites.

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Pit bull breeding is a significant issue, with only 20% of pit bulls being sterilized compared to an estimated 80% of all dogs.

This disparity contributes to a staggering 63% of shelter euthanizations being pit bulls, despite making up only 38% of animal shelter admissions.

Pit bulls are more likely to be confiscated or surrendered to a shelter due to their selective breeding for fighting, which increases their likelihood of injuring or killing a human, another dog, or other animals.

The problem of pit bull fighting is often tied to other illicit activities, including drug possession and distribution, gun distribution, assault, and murder.

By eliminating or lessening these problems at the root, BSL can prevent pit bulls from being bred in the first place, thus reducing the number of dogs that end up in shelters or fighting rings.

There is no evidence that BSL makes communities safer. In fact, many cities that have enacted BSL have seen no change in dog bite numbers, or even an increase in bites from other breeds.

Miami-Dade County, Florida, has had a pit bull ban since the 1980s, but still euthanizes about 800 illegally owned pit bulls per year. Aragon, Spain, saw no changes in dog bite numbers five years before and five years after BSL was enacted.

People who are breeding or training dogs for illegal fighting or to protect illegal activities will simply turn to another dog breed if pit bulls are banned. For example, following a pit bull ban in Council Bluff, Iowa, Boxer and Labrador Retriever bites increased, as did overall dog bites.

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

A study on BDL noted that the popularity of these laws “is based largely on fear…”. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, a task force determined that BDL was not effective and very expensive, but the legislature refused to listen and repeal the law.

Cities and counties are repealing BDL at a higher rate than these laws are being passed. A 2014 USA Today story reported, “Over the past two years, more than 100 municipalities across the USA have overturned bans and other restrictions that target dogs in the pit bull family…”.

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Implementing Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) can be a costly affair for local governments. The average annual cost of enforcing BSL is around $100,000.

Enforcing BSL requires specialized animal control officers and equipment, which can be a significant financial burden. The City of Denver, for example, spent $250,000 on BSL enforcement in 2013.

In addition to enforcement costs, BSL also leads to financial burdens on pet owners who are forced to surrender their dogs. In Michigan, for instance, a study found that BSL resulted in a 25% increase in dog surrenders.

The costs of BSL don't stop there – they can also impact local businesses that rely on pet owners. A study in the UK found that BSL resulted in a 30% decrease in pet-related business sales.

BSL also leads to a significant increase in the number of dogs being euthanized in shelters. In Ontario, Canada, BSL resulted in a 40% increase in dog euthanizations.

The financial costs of BSL are a significant concern for many communities. In fact, a study in the US found that BSL costs taxpayers around $500 million annually.

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

The term "pit bull ban" is often used to describe BDL, but it actually refers to legislation that prohibits any dog breed. Over time, different breeds have been targeted, including German Shepherds and Dobermans.

Pit bull terriers are often the target of BDL today, and when we read about BDL in the news, it's a safe bet that the law is about them.

BDL includes laws that don't outright ban pit bull terriers but create de facto bans, such as requiring owners to buy expensive insurance policies or keep the dog muzzled at all times.

Research has indicated that there is resistance by those who work in the adoption industry, applying a sharper distinction before allowing a dog to be labelled as a pit bull, as well as objections from veterinarians.

Courts in the United States and Canada have ruled that expert identification, when using published breed standards, is sufficient for the enforcement of breed-specific legislation.

Debates often center on whether apparent aggressive tendencies are the result of poor dog ownership or natural behaviors of the breed.

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BSL has been touted as a solution to dog bites, but let's take a closer look at its impact. BSL makes communities safer by regulating breeds that have a genetic propensity to attack and inflict severe injuries.

Data collected by DogsBite.org shows that between 2005 and 2019, pit bulls were responsible for 346 of the 521 dog bite-related deaths. Prior to BSL enactment in Prince George's County, Maryland, there were 853 dog bites reported in 1996, with 108 of those being from pit bulls.

In contrast, some cities have seen an increase in dog bites after enacting BSL. Following a pit bull ban in Council Bluff, Iowa, Boxer and Labrador Retriever bites increased, as did overall dog bites. This suggests that banning one breed can simply drive owners to choose another breed for illicit activities.

Studies have shown that BSL does not address the root cause of dog bites, which is often bad animal ownership. The Public Health Department of Aragon, Spain studied dog bites before and after BDL and found that it was not effective in protecting people from dog bites in a significant manner.

The term "pit bull" is often misunderstood. It's not a specific breed of dog.

"Pit bull" is an umbrella term that includes a number of different dog breeds and mixed breed dogs. American Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are typically included.

There isn't a single definition of "pit bull." Dogs with certain physical characteristics, like a square head or barrel chest, may be labeled a "pit bull" regardless of their actual breed.

"Pit bull" is an umbrella term that includes a number of different dog breeds and mixed breed dogs.

The list of specific breeds included in the term "pit bull" has expanded over time and likely will continue to expand.

American Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are usually included in the list of breeds that fall under the "pit bull" category.

There isn't a single definition of "pit bull" and a dog may be labeled a "pit bull" regardless of her actual breed if she has certain physical characteristics like a square head or barrel chest.

The term "pit bull" is often misused to refer to a specific breed of dog, but it's essential to understand that it's a broader term that encompasses multiple breeds and mixes.

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Dogs suspected of being a banned type are typically seized by the police.

They'll be held in kennels away from their owner.

These dogs will be examined by an expert using a set of standards mainly based on appearance.

Applying the law means that many dogs are unnecessarily subjected to stressful processes.

Many dogs find these processes very difficult to cope with and can result in undesirable changes in health and behaviour.

BSL has shown to be effective in reducing dog bites and making communities safer.

Enacting BSL can regulate a small group of breeds that have a genetic propensity to attack and inflict severe injuries, preventing first attacks from happening.

Data collected by DogsBite.org shows that between 2005 and 2019, there were at least 521 deaths due to dog bites, with 346 attributed to pit bulls.

Prior to BSL enactment in Prince George's County, Maryland, there were 853 dog bites reported in 1996.

Overall dog bites had decreased 43% and pit bull bites were down 35% 14 years into the ban in 2010.

In some places, certain breeds of dogs are banned under the law. Specifically, Pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Braziliero are among the breeds that are restricted.

These breeds are often associated with fighting, although it's worth noting that many of these dogs are also kept as beloved pets. The law aims to regulate their ownership, but it's essential to understand the specifics.

The XL Bully will become illegal to own in some areas without a certificate of exemption starting from February 1, 2024. This means that if you have an XL Bully, you'll need to obtain a special permit to keep it.

Private landlords in Florida are not restricted from banning Pit bulls and German shepherds, as the law only applies to local governments and public housing. This means that individual property owners can still set their own rules regarding these breeds.

In some places, pit bulls are banned under the law due to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).

Miami-Dade County in Florida made it illegal to own any dog that substantially conformed to a pit bull breed after 1990.

The XL Bully will become illegal to own from the 1st February 2024 without a certificate of exemption.

Private landlords in Florida can still ban pit bulls and German shepherds.

Miami-Dade County was the only county in Florida that made it illegal to own any dog that substantially conformed to a pit bull breed after 1990.

Some public housing authorities and local governments in Florida impose breed, weight, and/or size restrictions on dogs.

Here's a list of some dog breeds banned under the law:

The term "pit bull" has been used since at least the early 20th century. It's believed that all dogs classified as pit bulls today descended from the British bull-and-terrier, which was first imported into North America in the 1870s.

Dog fighting became a popular pastime in 19th century America, and bull-and-terriers were imported to the New World to pursue this blood sport. Organised dog fights were progressively outlawed in various states since 1874.

Breeders of American pit bull-type dogs attempted to have their dogs recognised by the American Kennel Club in the 1890s. However, the club rejected these entreaties due to the breed's association with dogfighting.

The United Kennel Club was established in 1898 by breeders of American Pit Bull Terriers, who also regulated dogfights.

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