Repeal BSL

BSL Summary

  • BSL (breed-specific legislation) is typically town or city-level ordinance that bans or otherwise imposes regulations on dogs based solely on their appearance or breed - it can impact many different breeds including Dobermans, German Shepherds, Huskies, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, pitbull-type dogs, and other large or strong breeds. By its nature, BSL is arbitrary and discriminatory because it punishes dogs and their owners without any consideration of dog's behavior or responsible ownership. Therefore, it mainly impacts good dogs and responsible owners in municipalities where it's still unfortunately enacted.
  • BSL is ineffective and fails to reduce dog bites because it focuses solely on a dog's appearance or assumed breed rather than considering a dog's behavior or the responsibility of its owner. This approach does not address the problem of aggressive or dangerous dogs (regardless of breed) nor does it tackle public safety concerns linked to irresponsible ownership.
  • Multiple scientific studies have concluded BSL is ineffective and has no impact on public safety. By contrast, comprehensive breed-neutral regulations are more effective because they address all potentially dangerous dogs, all irresponsible owners, and all unsafe dog-related situations - regardless of a dog's appearance or assumed breed. As a result, BSL is rejected by virtually all reliable research organizations and public safety experts including the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), NACA (National Animal Control Association), and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

BSL On The Decline

  • Since 2018, over 100 cities and towns have repealed BSL while almost no municipalities are enacting new breed-specific bans.
  • Voters don't support BSL - in 2020, voters in Denver, CO repealed the city's 31-year-old ban against pitbulls dogs by a landslide 66% majority and in 2018, voters in Springfield, MO rejected a proposed ban on pitbulls dogs by an even wider 68% majority.
  • Almost always, BSL is replaced with equitable and comprehensive breed-neutral regulations that are more effective because they address all potentially dangerous dogs, all irresponsible owners, and all unsafe dog-related situations - regardless of a dog's appearance or assumed breed.

Responsible Ownership

  • All dogs deserve and require responsible ownership; however, large or strong dogs such as Dobermans, German Shepherds, Huskies, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, pitbulls, and many other strong breeds and mixes require responsible ownership to help ensure everyone's happiness and safety.
  • Almost all serious dog bite-related incidents (by dogs of all breeds) are the result of a failure of one or more factors related to responsible ownership.
  • The fundamentals of responsible ownership include regular veterinary visits, proper exercise and training, providing adequate food and shelter, and following local regulations that pertain to dogs. For large or strong dogs, it's also especially important to always supervise dogs around infants and children, use a leash when out on walks or out in public, and never allow dogs to run at large.

Repealing BSL

  • BSL is typically town or city-level ordinance; therefore, it can usually be repealed by the town / city council.
  • To repeal BSL if it's still unfortunately enacted in your community, we recommend organizing a group within your community to work with your town or city council members to replace ineffective and discriminatory BSL with more effective and equitable breed-neutral regulations.
  • Encourage residents of your community to email or write town / city council members with information about why BSL is ineffective, arbitrary, and discriminatory. Effective communications are polite, provide facts, and include personal experiences about how BSL has negatively impacted you or your community. We encourage you to use the letter templates below and information provided on this website and also on Pitbullinfo.org - our flagship site packed with facts and information about pitbull-type dogs and dog bite-related data and statistics from scientific studies and other reliable sources.

Letter Templates

  • Template 1

    Dear City Council Member,


    I ask that you please repeal the archaic ban against dogs labeled as "pitbulls" in [City/Town]. Scientific studies, veterinary, canine, and public safety experts agree that BSL (breed-specific legislation) is ineffective and a waste of public resources. Even worse, BSL is discriminatory towards responsible owners and good dogs as it punishes dogs based solely on their appearance or assumed breed, sometimes resulting in the seizure of loved pets that have done nothing wrong. Furthermore, repealing the ban will allow animal control and public safety officials to focus on more relevant breed-neutral factors that are directly and scientifically linked to dog bite-related incidents such as irresponsible owners, aggressive dogs (of any breed), and problems related to abuse or neglect. Breed prejudice as policy doesn't create desired safety outcomes. I oppose BSL because it is ineffective and based on faulty science. Please repeal BSL in our community!


    Sincerely,

    [Name]

  • Template 2

    Coming soon!

  • Template 3

    Coming soon!

Sources

  • Sources for the facts and information provided above are available at Pitbullinfo.org.
  • Sources include multiple published scientific studies and other reliable sources such as the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).
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