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Breed-Specific Legislation

800

​Estimated number of cities & towns with breed-specific regulations such as BSL.

100%

Percentage of cities with BSL where serious bite-related incidents continue to occur because safety is not a breed-specific issue.

18,702

​Estimated number of cities & towns that rely exclusively on breed-neutral regulations.

The problem of breed stereotypes, misinformation, and irresponsible ownership often leads to breed-specific legislation (BSL), also known as breed bans. For public safety, it's important to understand the two primary approaches for regulation: breed-specific legislation (BSL) and breed-neutral legislation (BNL). BSL targets specific dogs based on their appearance or assumed breed, using a narrow, single-factor approach that does not consider the individual dog's behavior or responsible ownership. In contrast, BNL takes a broad, multifaceted approach based on behavior, addressing all dogs that may pose a danger, irresponsible ownership, and any situation that could be unsafe due to dogs, without discriminating based on breed or appearance. Consequently, numerous studies have shown that BSL is ineffective. This is further evidenced by the fact that it's a trend in decline, with 96% of cities and towns using BNL exclusively for a comprehensive approach to public safety and reducing bites. Below, we summarize the differences between BSL and BNL, including the benefits of breed-neutral policies over breed-specific policies.

Breed-Specific Legislation

Addresses a minority of potentially dangerous dogs; used by 4% of cities & towns.

  • Limited: Applies to a limited number of dogs, based on their appearance or assumed breed.
  • Appearance-based: Uses appearance as the primary factor for regulation regardless of a dog's behavior or responsible ownership.
  • Ineffective: Used by 4% (~800÷19,502) of U.S. cities with questionable success because dog bite prevention is not a breed-specific issue.
  • Discriminatory: Impacts a targeted population of dog owners regardless of their dog's behavior or responsible ownership.
  • Complicated: Breed identification and evaluation, such as DNA testing or an evaluation by a canine expert, is required.

Addresses all potentially dangerous dogs;

used by 96% of cities & towns.

Breed-Neutral Legislation

  • Comprehensive: Applies to all dogs, regardless of appearance or breed.
  • Behavior-based: Uses an individual dog's history of problematic behavior and/or irresponsible ownership as the primary factors for regulation.
  • Effective: Used by 96% (~18,702÷19,502) of U.S. cities with consistent success because dog bite prevention is applicable to all breeds.
  • Equitable: Impacts all dog owners and holds all dog owners accountable for their dog's behavior, encouraging responsible ownership for all dogs.
  • Straightforward: Addresses dangerous dogs of all breeds, there is no need for breed identification or evaluation.

Why BSL Is Ineffective

Lacks Scientific Basis

There isn't a single peer-reviewed scientific study supporting the notion that any specific breed is inherently more dangerous than others. On the contrary, numerous studies have determined that a dog's breed does not determine its aggression, bite strength, or propensity to bite, proving BSL's ineffectiveness.


Focuses on Irrelevant Physical Characteristics

A dog's appearance is influenced by less than 1% of its genetic makeup, making BSL's reliance on physical traits misguided. This approach overlooks the 99% of a dog's genetic factors that influence crucial behaviors, dispositions, and temperaments. Key issues like behavioral problems and irresponsible ownership, which are critical for assessing a dog's potential danger, are ignored by BSL. Furthermore, a recent study on a dog's DNA and breed stereotypes found that 9% of a dog's behavioral traits are attributable to breed, confirming that breed has a minimal impact on behavior.


Overlooks Key Safety Factors

Multiple studies have determined that the main contributors to dog bite-related fatalities (DBRFs) are preventable factors tied to irresponsible dog ownership, not the dog's breed. BSL fails to tackle essential safety concerns, such as a dog's aggressive behavior, history of bites, or irresponsible ownership, which are significant predictors of dog bite incidents.

Rejection of BSL

Due to the advantages of breed-neutral legislation (BNL) compared to breed-specific legislation (BSL), all reputable research, public safety, and canine organizations oppose BSL. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), National Animal Control Association (NACA), American Bar Association (ABA), and many other groups have publicly opposed BSL and support repealing BSL where it's still enacted, including:

Public Safety & Dog Bite Prevention

Numerous studies have determined that comprehensive breed-neutral approaches to dog bite prevention are the most effective tools for reducing or preventing serious dog bite-related incidents. For public safety, these studies and veterinary experts strongly favor policies that address relevant factors such as irresponsible ownership and canine behavior issues over limited, single-factor approaches such as BSL, which targets a dog's appearance or assumed breed. A comprehensive breed-neutral approach to dog bite prevention focuses on the responsible ownership of all dogs, regardless of appearance or breed, and includes:

  • Enforcement of breed-neutral dangerous dog laws, with an emphasis on chronically irresponsible owners and dogs with behavioral issues.
  • Enforcement of animal control ordinances, such as dog-at-large and leash laws.
  • Prohibition of dog fighting.
  • Policies that strongly encourage the neutering/spaying of dogs.
  • Community education about animal control ordinances through signage and other methods.

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) or breed discrimination is ineffective as it fails to enhance public safety, is expensive to enforce, and violates the property rights of dog owners. We want our communities to be protected against dangerous dogs – and we want abused dogs to be protected from reckless owners. The focus of any policy should be on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owners.


National Animal Control Association (NACA)

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