Breed Specific Legislation

• Regulates the sale, transport, , or ownership of particular breeds of dogs on the grounds that these types of dogs are inherently dangerous.
• Regulations range from sterilization and mandatory muzzling requirements to banning ownership.

Breeds targeted: Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bulls), Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Akitas.

Breed and Number of Biting Dogs:
Akita 5
Chihuahua 2
Chow Chow 31
Cocker Spaniel 8
Collie 8
Doberman Pinscher 6
German Shepherd 34
Golden Retriever 2
Labrador Retriever 9
Standard Poodle 4
Scottish Terrier 3
Shetland Sheepdog 2
All other breeds 46

Dog Breed Deaths between 1966 and 1980:
German Shepherd 16
Husky 9
Saint Bernard 8
Pit Bull 6
Great Dane 6
Malamute 5
Doberman pinscher 2
Chow Chow 1
Golden Retriever 3
Collie 2

Untitled Slide

• The first breed specific legislation was passed in 1980 in Hollywood, Fl. The law required pit bull owners "complete special registration forms and prove the possession of $25,000 of public liability insurance."
• Denver has had a complete ban on pit bulls since 1989.

In 2014, almost 650 cities in the US had some form of Breed Specific Legislation. 10 states have upheld the constitutionality of statewide breed specific legislation.

In San Francisco, the law requires the mandatory spaying and neutering of pit bulls, and the city requires a permit to breed, sell, or transport pit bulls or pit bull puppies.

Dangerous Dog Laws

• Focus on restricting and regulating owners and their dogs after the individual dog has been deemed dangerous due to past behavior.
• Commonly contain four sections: (1) a definition of a ““dangerous dog”; (2) a procedure for officially declaring a dog dangerous; (3) restrictions applicable to dogs officially declared dangerous; and (4) penalties for violating the restrictions.