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Breed-Specific Legislation: Dog Breed Ban Alternatives

To keep people safe from dog bite-related incidents, the best and most effective laws focus not on breed, but on behavior — both the pet owner’s behavior and the dog’s behavior.

In 2013, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a peer-reviewed study examining 256 dog bite-related fatalities in the U.S. from 2000 to 2009. The researchers found that dog bite incidents often involved factors under the control of the dog owner, including failure of the owner to neuter or spay a dog, isolation of a dog from positive family interaction, and mismanagement (abuse or neglect) of a dog by an owner.

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Dog breed bans and breed-specific legislation

Dog breed bans and other forms of breed-specific legislation (BSL) force many responsible people to give up their beloved pets, but they do not make communities safer. In America, responsible people should be allowed to love and care for any breed of dog they choose.

The following are examples of good alternatives to dog breed bans and breed-specific legislation. These laws focus on reckless owners instead of dog breeds:

Read more from Best Friends Animal Society on dog breed-neutral laws.

Issues:
Pit Bull Terriers Preventing Breed Restrictions
Tags:
Pit Bull Terrier Breed Specific Legislation Dogs
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Best Friends Animal Society is working with you to save the lives of cats and dogs all across the country, giving pets second chances and happy homes.

Just a few short years ago, cats and dogs were killed in staggering numbers in this country simply because shelters didn't have the community support or the resources to save their lives. That number is now less that half a million per year, but there's still work to do to ensure a bright future for every dog and cat in America.

Best Friends operates the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals and is committed to saving the lives of homeless pets by working with shelters and passionate people like you. Together, we will bring the whole country to no-kill in 2025. Together, we will Save Them All.