Dog attacks can be a real and serious problem in communities across the country, but addressingdangerous and potentially dangerous dogs can be a confusing and touchy issue.Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals.However, the problem of dangerous dogs will not be remedied by the “quick fix” of breed-specific laws—or, as they should truly be called, breed-discriminatory laws.
WhoIsImpactedby Breed-Specific Laws?
Regulated breedstypically comprise the “pit bull” class of dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire BullTerriers and English Bull Terriers. In some areas, regulated breeds also include a variety of other dogs like American Bulldogs,Rottweilers,Mastiffs, Dalmatians, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers or any mix of these breeds—and dogs who simply resemble these breeds.
Many states, including New York, Texas and Illinois, favor laws that identify, track and regulate dangerous dogs individually—regardless of breed—and prohibit BSL. However, more than 700 U.S. cities have enacted breed-specific laws.
Are Breed-Specific Laws Effective?
There is no evidence that breed-specific laws make communities safer for people or companion animals. Following a thorough study of human fatalities resulting from dog bites,the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC) decided to strongly oppose BSL. The CDC cited, among other problems, the inaccuracy of dog bite data and the difficulty in identifying dog breeds (especially true of mixed-breed dogs). Breed-specific laws are also costly and difficult to enforce.
What Are the Consequences of Breed-Specific Laws?
BSL carries a host of negative and whollyunintended consequences:
- Dogs Suffer.Rather than give up beloved pets, owners of highlyregulated or banned breeds often attempt to avoid detection by restricting their dogs’ outdoor exercise and socialization—forgoing licensing,microchippingand proper veterinary care,and avoiding spay/neuter surgery and essentialvaccinations. Such actions can have a negative impact on both the mental and physicalhealth of these dogs.
In addition, breed-specific laws can create a climate where it is nearly impossible for residents toadopt andlive with such a breed—virtually ensuring destruction of otherwise adoptable dogs by shelters and humane societies.
Owners Suffer. Responsible owners of entirely friendly, properly supervised and well-socialized dogs who happen to fall within the regulated breed are required to comply with local breed bans and regulations. This can lead to housing issues, legal fees or even relinquishment of the animal.
Public Safety Suffers. Breed-specific laws have a tendency to compromise rather than enhance public safety. When animal control resources are used to regulateor ban a certain breed, the focus is shifted away from effective enforcement of laws that have the best chances of making communities safer: dog license laws, leash laws, anti-animal fighting laws, anti-tethering laws, laws facilitating spaying and neutering and laws that require all owners to control their dogs, regardless of breed.Additionally, guardians of banned breeds may be deterred from seeking routine veterinary care, which can lead to outbreaks of rabies and other diseases that endanger communities.
Breed-specific laws may also have the unintended consequence of encouraging irresponsible dog ownership. As certain breeds are regulated, individuals who exploit aggression in dogs are likely to turn to other, unregulated breeds. Conversely “outlaws” may be attracted to the “outlaw” status of certain breeds. The rise of pit bull ownership among gang members in the late 1980s coincided with the first round of breed-specific legislation.
What Are the Alternatives to Breed-Specific Laws?
There is no convincing data to indicate that breed-specific legislation has succeeded anywhere to date.
The CDC has noted that many other factors beyond breed may affect a dog’s tendency toward aggression—things such as heredity, sex, early experience, reproductive status, socialization and training. Conversely,studies can be referenced thatpoint toclear, positive effects of carefully crafted breed-neutral laws. A breed-neutral approach may include the following:
Enhanced enforcement of dog license laws
Increased availability to low-cost sterilization (spay/neuter) services
Dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual guardian and dog
Graduated penalties and options for dogs deemed dangerous
Laws that hold dog guardians financially accountable for failure to adhere to animal control laws
Laws that hold dog guardianscivilly and criminally liable for unjustified injuries or damage caused by their dogs
Laws that prohibit chaining, tethering and unreasonable confinement, coupled with enhanced enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws
Community-based approaches to resolving reckless guardian/dangerous dog questions that encompass all stakeholders, available dog bite data and recommended realistic and enforceablepolicies
Readthe ASPCA’s complete position statement on Breed-Specific Legislation
