Rottweilers are prohibited in some cities and states due to various regulations and laws.
In New York City, Rottweilers are banned in public housing.
In California, some cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have breed-specific legislation that restricts or bans Rottweilers.
Some states like Hawaii and Massachusetts have laws that restrict the ownership of Rottweilers.
Where Rottweilers are Banned
Some cities in the United States have banned Rottweilers under breed-specific laws. Collins, Mississippi, has a citywide ban on Rottweilers and pit bulls.
You can find a complete listing of cities that ban Rottweilers and other breeds on the DogsBite website. These bans have been ruled constitutional by both federal and state courts.
The bans are in place because of fears that some people have about Rottweilers, which are debatable. Some people are concerned that all Rottweilers are bred to attack and that their owners can't control them adequately.
Here are some cities that have banned Rottweilers:
- Collins, Mississippi
Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and you can find more information on the DogsBite website.
Legislation and Restrictions
Fifty-two countries have some form of breed-specific legislation, and 41 of those have BSL at the national level, as of December 2018. This means that many places around the world have laws that specifically target certain breeds of dogs, like Rottweilers.
Some communities choose not to ban Rottweilers but rather place restrictions on owners of the dogs or charge them fees. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owners of dogs whose breeding is half or more Rottweiler must keep the dog within a yard with a fence tall enough to contain it or keep the dog in a kennel that meets specific requirements.
In Corinth, Mississippi, Rottweilers are defined by city statute as vicious animals. As of 2012, anyone who owns a vicious animal in Corinth must have a $25,000 insurance policy covering liability if the dog attacks someone. This is a significant financial burden on owners of Rottweilers in Corinth.
Even if you find a city without bans or restrictions, you may still have to deal with housing authorities. Certain housing properties will ban Rottweilers because of their perceived "dangerousness", like the Housing Authority of the County of Dekalb in Georgia, which has a ban on Rottweilers.
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If you're considering moving to a new city, it's essential to check the local housing laws and regulations regarding Rottweilers. In some cities, like Queens, New York, people who live in city-run housing can't keep Rottweilers, pit bulls or Doberman pinschers on the property.
Here are some examples of cities with breed-specific legislation and restrictions:
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Restricts Rottweiler ownership with specific requirements for fencing and kennels.
- Corinth, Mississippi: Defines Rottweilers as vicious animals and requires a $25,000 insurance policy.
- Dekalb County, Georgia: Has a ban on Rottweilers through the Housing Authority.
- Queens, New York: Bans Rottweilers, pit bulls, and Doberman pinschers in city-run housing.
Rottweilers in Society
Rottweilers in Society are often misunderstood due to their intimidating appearance and history as guard dogs.
In many countries, Rottweilers are used for search and rescue missions, police work, and as therapy dogs.
Their intelligence, loyalty, and strength make them a popular choice for various roles.
However, their reputation as aggressive dogs has led to breed-specific legislation in some places, restricting their ownership.
Some cities have banned Rottweiler ownership outright, while others have implemented strict regulations.
The Military
Rottweilers are banned from military bases in the United States, including Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine bases, with each base having its own rules and regulations.
If you're in the military, it's essential to know that Rottweilers are not allowed in military housing, and individual bases decide which breeds are banned.
The U.S. Army bans all Rottweilers, wolf hybrids, chows, Dobermans, pit bulls, and bull terriers from military housing.
In contrast, the U.S. Marines ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, and wolf hybrids from military housing, while the Air Force and Navy leave it up to individual bases to decide on breed restrictions.
Lackland Air Force Base, for example, bans Rottweilers and other dangerous dogs, while Hills Air Force Base only bans pit bulls.
Language to repeal these breed-specific bans was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, but ultimately, that language was taken out.
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Rotts Take Two in Life
Between 2005 and 2017, Rottweilers were accountable for 29 fatal dog attacks across the country, classifying them among the most dangerous breeds of aggressive dogs.
Rottweilers have been involved in hundreds of non-fatal incidents, especially from a very young age, mainly male Rottie dogs.
The Rottweiler breed is known for its loyalty to its owners, but without proper socialization, exercise, and training, they can be distant from others.
Territorial behavior in Rottweilers is often linked to their aggressiveness, which can be a problem for their owners and the police.
This unpredictability has led to many Rottweilers being shot by police due to their aggressiveness.
Understanding City Bans
City bans on Rottweilers are a real thing. They're typically enacted by cities or towns that have deemed Rottweilers a "dangerous" breed.
These bans often go through court and are upheld as constitutional, making it unlikely to challenge them successfully. For example, Clinton, Mississippi, and Wapato, Washington, have both banned Rottweilers.
You can find out which cities in which states have banned Rottweilers by checking the BSL Census. Some cities, like Collins, Mississippi, have citywide bans on Rottweilers and pit bulls.
Rottweilers are banned under breed-specific laws in some cities, and these bans have been ruled constitutional by both federal and state courts.
Worth a look: Egypt Dog Breed Ban
Background and Information
Approximately 550 jurisdictions in the United States have enacted breed-specific legislation in response to well-publicized incidents involving specific dog breeds.
Jurisdictions in the United States and Canada have the right to enact breed-specific legislation, but the effectiveness of such legislation is disputed.
Some governments, like Australia, have forbidden the import of specific breeds and require existing dogs of these breeds to be spayed/neutered to slowly eliminate the population through natural attrition.
A number of jurisdictions have taken administrative action against specific breeds, such as the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, which have taken measures to restrict or ban the possession of certain dog breeds.
In response to breed-specific legislation, 16 states in the U.S. have prohibited or restricted the ability of municipal governments within those states to enact such laws, although these restrictions do not affect military installations.
For more insights, see: Why Is the Uk Banning Xl Bully
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed-specific_legislation
- https://www.animals24-7.org/2023/06/18/egypt-bans-pit-bulls-rottweilers-14-other-high-risk-dog-breeds/
- https://ehlinelaw.com/blog/dangerous-breeds-of-dogs-rottweilers
- https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/are-rottweilers-banned-in-some-states
- https://legalbeagle.com/12299372-rottweilers-illegal-states.html
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