End Breed Specific Legislation

Breed-specific legislation is a law that bans or severly restricts certain types of dogs based on their breed or appearance because they are perceived as vicious or dangerous.   A breed ban requires that all dogs that fit a certain description are removed/relocated or euthanized by animal control.  Breed specific restrictions require owners of a targeted breed to:

• spay or neuter their dog
• muzzle the dog in public
• Purchase extra liability insurance
• Contain the dog in a kennel
• Place "vicious dog" signs in the yard and make the dog wear a "vicious dog" tag or marker

The legislation is based strictly off the breed and/or appearance of the dog and does not take training or the behaviour into consideration.  

Almost 50% of dogs in the US are mixed breeds and Animal Control Officers and Verterinarians are not trained to identify breeds.  Many places with BSL use a checklist such as head is large, neck is muscular, to identify the breed and many owners have successfully challenged the breed identification of their dog.  BSL does not focus on responsible dog ownership, and often results in punishing good dogs.

It does not improve public safety or prevent dog bites.

It requires every dog to be "identified" as a breed, which is subjective.  And the dog most restricted is the Pit Bull - which is not even a recognized breed.

It punishes responsible dog owners and does nothing to make irresponsible dog owners accountable.  Many of these BSL laws have been ruled as unconstitutional.