The rise of pit bull ownership among gang members in the late 1980s coincided with the first round of breed-specific legislation. Conversely “outlaws” may be attracted to the “outlaw” status of certain breeds. As certain breeds are regulated, individuals who exploit aggression in dogs are likely to turn to other, unregulated breeds.
When animal control resources are used to regulate or 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.īreed-specific laws may also have the unintended consequence of encouraging irresponsible dog ownership. Breed-specific laws have a tendency to compromise rather than enhance public safety. This can lead to housing issues, legal fees or even relinquishment of the animal. 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. In addition, breed-specific laws can create a climate where it is nearly impossible for residents to adopt and live with such a breed-virtually ensuring destruction of otherwise adoptable dogs by shelters and humane societies. Such actions can have a negative impact on both the mental and physical health of these dogs. Dogs Suffer. Rather than give up beloved pets, owners of highly regulated or banned breeds often attempt to avoid detection by restricting their dogs’ outdoor exercise and socialization-forgoing licensing, microchipping and proper veterinary care, and avoiding spay/neuter surgery and essential vaccinations.What Are the Consequences of Breed-Specific Laws?īSL carries a host of negative and wholly unintended consequences:
Breed-specific laws are also costly and difficult to enforce. 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). Following a thorough study of human fatalities resulting from dog bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided to strongly oppose BSL. There is no evidence that breed-specific laws make communities safer for people or companion animals. Many states, including New York, Texas and Illinois, favor laws that identify, track and regulate dangerous dogs individually-regardless of breed-and prohibit BSL. 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.
Regulated breeds typically comprise the “pit bull” class of dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and English Bull Terriers.