Does breed-specific legislation reduce dog bites?
Are Breed-Specific Laws Effective? There is no evidence that breed-specific laws make communities safer for people or companion animals. Following a thorough study of human fatalities resulting from dog bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided to strongly oppose BSL.
Why breed-specific legislation is good?
The objective of breed-specific legislation, which primarily targets pit bulls and their derivatives, is to prevent severe and fatal attacks before they occur. Dangerous dog laws that are non breed-specific usually react after a damaging or deadly attack; they do not prevent the first attack.
What breed is responsible for most dog bites?
The top 5 dog breeds with the most bite attacks in the United States are listed below.Pit Bull. Attacks: 3,397. Deaths: 295. ... Rottweiler. Attacks: 535. Deaths: 8. ... German Shepherd. Attacks: 113. Deaths: 15. ... Presa Canario. Attacks: 111. Deaths: 18. ... Wolf-Dog Hybrids. Attacks: 85. Deaths: 19.
Is BSL unconstitutional?
It is our position that BSL is unconstitutional, violating the 5th and 14 amendments. BSL is often vague, in large part due to the use of visual identifcation for enforcement. And, whether we like it or not, pets are considered property. Property cannot be seized without due process.
Does banning specific dog breeds improve public safety?
The vast majority of peer-reviewed studies on the effectiveness of bans that target dogs based on their appearance or assumed breed, also known as BSL or breed-specific legislation, have concluded that the bans are entirely ineffective and do not reduce dog bites or improve public safety.
Are dog bite statistics accurate?
A report by the Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions state, “Dog bite statistics are not really statistics, and they do not give an accurate picture of dogs that bite. Invariably the numbers will show that dogs from popular large breeds are a problem.
Which dog breed is most likely to protect you?
The Most Protective Dog BreedsBelgian Malinois. The Belgian Malinois are brilliant dogs, highly capable, and love to work. ... German Shepherds. ... Rottweilers. ... Doberman Pinscher. ... Bullmastiff. ... Giant Schnauzer. ... Rhodesian Ridgeback.
What breed of dog has the most bites per year?
The three breeds with the highest percentage of reported dog bites were Pit Bulls, mixed breeds, and German Shepherds. The same study found while reviewing the literature that these three breeds were responsible for the highest percentage of reported dog bites.
What country has the strictest animal rights laws?
Switzerland became the first country with a provision to protect animals' dignity. Switzerland is a leader in improving the living and working conditions of animals.
How do you get around a pitbull ban?
7 Ways to Get Around Breed RestrictionsGet a Complete DNA Test. ... Get Professional Training for Your Dog. ... Rent from Private Owners Instead of a Company. ... Get Pet Insurance. ... Offer a Pet Deposit. ... Create a “Resume” for Your Dog. ... Register Your Pet as an Emotional Support Dog.
Which states ban pit bulls?
Today, we will go over the list of 10 states with Pitbull bans.Iowa. With 91 cities with pit bull bans or legislation, Iowa is the worst city to pick if you own a pittie. ... Ohio. Ohio is also not pit-bull friendly at all. ... Missouri. ... Colorado. ... Kansas. ... Wisconsin. ... Mississippi. ... Michigan.More items...
Is breed standard important?
Why Are Breed Standards Important? AKC Conformation has existed for hundreds of years and was started as a way to evaluate breeding stock. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they're being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed.
What is the purpose of a breed standard?
Breed standards help define the ideal animal of a breed and provide goals for breeders in improving stock. In essence a breed standard is a blueprint for an animal fit for the function it was bred - i.e. herding, tracking etc.
Is breed-specific legislation unconstitutional?
Both state appellate courts and federal courts consistently uphold the constitutionally of breed-specific legislation.
Why do we have breed standards?
The pedigree breeds we have today are our legacy from the breeders of the past, when dogs were bred to perform different jobs, from hunting and guarding to fishing and sledding. In order to ensure that dogs could do these jobs, they needed to have certain physical characteristics and the appropriate temperaments.
How many people are bitten by dogs in the US every year?
Dog bites are a significant problem throughout the world. In the USA, about 5 million people are bitten each year, almost 900,000 seriously enough to require medical attention. The losses have been estimated as high as $2 billion annually. For a person who is disfigured or disabled, or who loses a loved one, there is an unmeasurable loss of the quality of life. The Insurance Information Institute tells us that only 16,000 or so victims are compensated by liability insurance companies in any one year, so more than 99% of these losses are borne by the victims, their own health insurance companies, and taxpayers. This is obviously inequitable. Something must be done about it.
Is a pit bull dangerous?
The spotlight shines brightest on the pit bull as the most dangerous of dogs . This is the breed responsible for the vast majority of fatal maulings of human beings, and the worst injuries. Pit bull attacks are usually unprovoked, random and inexplicable. Consider:
What is the trend in prevention of dog bites?
“The trend in prevention of dog bites continues to shift in favor of multifactorial approaches focusing on improved ownership and husbandry practices, better understanding of dog behavior, education of parents and children regarding safety around dogs, and consistent enforcement of dangerous dog/reckless owner ordinances in communities. Effective laws hold all dog owners responsible for the humane care, custody, and control of all dogs regardless of breed or type.”
Why are dog bite statistics not accurate?
This should be expected, because big dogs can physically do more damage if they do bite, and any popular breed has more individuals that could bite. Dogs from small breeds also bite and are capable of causing severe injury. There are several reasons why it is not possible to calculate a bite rate for a breed or to compare rates between breeds.”
What is breed specific legislation?
“…breed specific legislation may create an undue burden to owners who otherwise have demonstrated proper pet management and responsibility…Agencies should encourage enactment and stringent enforcement of dangerous/vicious dog laws.”. Read the guidelines.
Can dogs bite small breeds?
Dogs from small breeds also bite and are capable of causing severe injury. There are several reasons why it is not possible to calculate a bite rate for a breed or to compare rates between breeds.”.
Can a dog bite a dog?
“Any dog may bite, regardless of the dog’s size or sex, or reported breed or mix of breeds. The AVSAB’s position is that such legislation—often called breed-specific legislation (BSL)—is ineffective, and can lead to a false sense of community safety as well as welfare concerns for dogs identified (often incorrectly) as belonging to specific breeds.”
Does BSL reduce dog bites?
Experts agree that breed-specific legislation (BSL) and similar policies that restrict dogs based on appearance do not reduce dog bites in communities or enhance public safety. Learn more about fighting BSL in our advocate toolkit.
Do public accommodations allow service dogs?
Similarly, the DOJ requires that places of public accommodation grant service dogs access to the premises regardless of breed: "Municipalities that prohibit specific breeds of dogs must make an exception for a service animal of a prohibited breed, unless the dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
When was BSL enacted?
The study analyzed the impact of BSL on the number and severity of dog bite-related injuries in the city of Odense, Denmark since BSL was enacted in 2010.
Is BSL effective?
Another Study Concludes That BSL Is Ineffective. The vast majority of peer-reviewed studies on the effectiveness of dog bans, also known as BSL or breed-specific legislation, have concluded that the bans are entirely ineffective and do not reduce dog bites or improve public safety.
Is BSL supported by science?
BSL and Breed Bans Are Not Supported By Science. The scientific consensus on the topic of dog bans and BSL is clear - multiple peer-reviewed studies have concluded that a dog's breed does not determine risk and that breed-specific legislation (BSL) is ineffective.
How to reduce dog bites in a community?
A: The best ways to reduce dog bite-related incidents in a community are multifactorial approaches [12] focusing on improved ownership and husbandry practices, better understanding of canine behavior, education of parents and children regarding safety around dogs, [13] [14] [15] [16] and consistent enforcement [17] of dangerous dog/reckless owner ordinances in communities. Effective laws hold all dog owners responsible for the humane care, custody, and control of all dogs regardless of breed or type.
What is breed specific legislation?
A: Breed-specific legislation (BSL), also referred to as breed-discriminatory legislation (BDL), is a law or ordinance that prohibits or restricts the keeping of dogs of specific breeds, dogs presumed to be specific breeds, mixes of specific breeds, and/or dogs presumed to be mixes of one or more of those breeds. The most drastic form of BSL is a complete ban; but BSL also includes any laws or governmental regulations that impose separate requirements or limitations, including but not limited to: mandatory spay-neuter, mandatory muzzling, liability insurance requirements, special licensing and additional fees, mandatory microchipping or tattoos, owner / walker age requirements, property posting requirements, confinement and leash requirements, breed-specific pet limits, sale or transfer notification requirements, restrictions on access to certain public spaces with the dog [e.g.: public parks, school grounds], required town-issued items [e.g.: fluorescent collar; vest], training requirements, and requirement that photos of the dog and/or owner be kept on town file. BSL, in all of its forms, results in the destruction of many pet dogs.
Does BSL help with dog bites?
A: No. BSL has not succeeded in reducing dog bite-related injuries wherever in the world it has been enacted.
Is a dog bite more severe than a non-legislated bite?
An Irish study found that bites from dogs labeled as legislated breeds in the country were no more severe than those from dogs labeled as non-legislated, and neither group was more likely to deliver a bite that required greater medical attention than the other. [2]
Is BSL targeting dogs?
A: Various breeds have been or currently are targeted by BSL. In the United States, jurisdictions have either banned or put discriminatory restrictions on one or all of the following (please note that names in quotes are not recognized breeds of dogs by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club, yet they appear in municipal legislation as written):
Does BSL improve dog safety?
A: There is a growing awareness that BSL does not improve community safety and penalizes responsible dog owners and their family companions. From January 2012-May 2014, more than seven times as many American communities have either considered and rejected a breed-specific ordinance, or repealed an existing one, as have enacted BSL. [11] As of July 2017, twenty U.S. states have enacted state laws that prohibit their towns and counties from regulating dogs on the basis of breed.
Is breed a factor in dog bites?
Additionally, in a multifactorial study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on the exceptionally rare events of dog bite-related fatalities, the researchers identified a striking co-occurrence of multiple, controllable factors in these cases. Breed was not identified as a factor. [3]
