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BSL Continues To Crumble

Since 2018, over 100 cities have repealed ineffective breed-specific bans or legislation (BSL) targeting 'pitbulls' with more effective, breed-neutral policies. These updated policies align with modern best practices for preventing and reducing serious dog bite-related incidents. BSL discriminates against dogs and their owners because it targets dogs based solely on the dog's appearance or assumed breed without considering the dog's behavior or responsible ownership. Numerous studies have proven this outdated approach ineffective for enhancing public safety. Additionally, the federal government has opposed breed-specific bans, as evidenced by the U.S. Department of Transportation's recent regulation prohibiting airlines from banning pitbull-type service dogs on flights. Almost always, BSL is replaced with regulations that focus on behavior, addressing all potentially dangerous dogs and irresponsible owners, regardless of appearance or breed. We commend the cities and towns that have moved away from discriminatory BSL in favor of more equitable and effective breed-neutral ordinances for public safety.

BSL Repeals 2022-Current 📑

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is typically repealed by a majority city council vote. Occasionally, it is repealed by voters through a ballot measure.

2024

2023

2022

  • 2021

    • Commerce City, CO
    • Shrewsbury, MO
    • Liberal, KS
    • Maumelle, AR
    • Greensburg, KS
    • Prescott, AR
    • Lone Tree, CO
    • Dayton, KY
    • Oconomowoc, WI
    • Overland Park, KS
    • Abilene, KS

  • 2020

    • Sarcoxie, MO
    • Prairie Village, KS
    • DeWitt, AR
    • Junction City, KS
    • Chardon, OH
    • Cathlamet, WA
    • Fort Scott, KS
    • Denver, CO (repealed by popular vote)​
    • Pasco, WA
    • Andover, KS
    • Paola, KS
    • Wall Lake, IA

  • 2019

    • ​Garfield Heights, OH
    • Fort Lupton, CO
    • Gardendale, AL
    • Eureka, MO
    • Liberty, MO (repealed by popular vote)
    • ​Cabot, AR
    • Ludlow, KY
    • Barry, IL
    • Willoughby Hills, OH
    • Kansas City & Wyandotte County, KS
    • Enumclaw, WA
    • Highland Heights, OH
    • Yorkville, WI
    • Cudahy, WI
    • South Point, OH
    • University City, MO
    • Fenton, LA
    • Sugar Creek, MO
    • Maquoketa, IA
    • Kennewick, WA
    • Everett, WA
    • Sioux City, IA

  • 2018

    • ​New Albany, OH
    • Libby, MT
    • Hastings, MI
    • Reynoldsburg, OH
    • Ironton, MO
    • Anamosa, IA
    • Lakewood, OH
    • Marceline, MI
    • Beloit, KS
    • Eudora, KS
    • Castle Rock, CO
    • Pratt, KS
    • Springfield, MO (repealed by popular vote)
    • Yakima, WA
    • Rocky River, OH
    • Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH

BSL Repeals Archive 2018-2021 🗄

BSL IS Exceedingly Unpopular 🐶

The trend across the United States is clear: dog bans and breed-specific legislation (BSL) have become increasingly unpopular, as the majority of citizens now support equitable and more effective breed-neutral policies over discriminatory and ineffective appearance-based policies for public safety. In 2020, Denver, CO, residents overturned a 31-year-old ban on pitbull-type dogs with a decisive 66% majority vote, while in 2018, Springfield, MO, voters rejected a proposed pitbull ban with an even wider 68% majority. Additionally, the scientific consensus supports this shift, with numerous studies demonstrating the ineffectiveness of BSL. Since only 2016, at least 78 breeds have been implicated in fatal attacks in the U.S., further proving that BSL is not only ineffective but also outdated. As a result, where BSL still exists, it is increasingly being challenged and repealed. We applaud the cities, towns, and their residents who have recently rejected BSL, standing against ineffective policies, junk science, and long-debunked misconceptions and stereotypes about pitbull-type dogs. This represents not only a victory for great dogs, but also for responsible and rational humans.

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