Transcript Breed Specific Legislation

Breed Specific Legislation
Why it Affects YOU
Breed-Specific Restrictions
usually require
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Muzzling and short leash when off owner’s
property
Secure enclosure
(6 sided run with concrete floor)
Liability insurance, up to $1 million
Dangerous dog signs on property
Dog cannot be in a room that has access
to an exit via open windows or doors
Breed Specific Bans
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May or may not have a “grandfather”
clause
If grandfather clause IS included, it
requires spay/neuter & severe restrictions
Bans will usually take effect in 30 days or
less
Dogs seized under bans are generally
euthanized
I’m a Responsible Owner
Why Should I Worry?
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Grandfather clauses are not mandatory
Individual owner or dog’s history has no
bearing on restrictions
Often 30 days is the maximum permitted
to move or get rid of your pet
If you don’t meet the requirements, your
pet could be euthanized
My Dog is a Mutt
No Problem, Right?
WRONG!
Bans include dogs “with the similar
appearance and characteristics” of
targeted breeds!
Non-registered dogs are at the mercy
of Animal Control
There is NO SCIENTIFIC or OBJECTIVE WAY
To determine BREED heritage in a mixed breed dog
Or to prove the breed of an unregistered dog.
Is this a dangerous dog? What do your town’s laws say?
Where has BSL been enacted?
United States
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
BSL in Iowa
Garrison
Blairstown
Mt. Auburn
Shellsburg
Vinton
Ainsworth
Asbury
Audobon
Britt
Chariton
Coggin
Carter Lake
Clarence
Dexter
Durant
Emmetsburg
Evansdale
Forest City
Hubbard
Kesauqua
Lamoni
Manning
Marcus
Atkins
Keystone
Newhall
Urbana
Wallford
Albia
Anamosa
Bellevue
Buffalo Center
Centerville
Coutier
Council Bluffs
Dallas Center
Donnellson
Des Moines
Epworth
Fairfax
Hiawatha
Ida Grove
LaPort City
Laurens
Manson
Marshalltown
Belle Plain
Luzerne
Norway
Van Horne
Watkins
Allison
Altoona
Blue Grass
Carroll
Cherokee
Cascade
Conrad
Dakota City
Dumont
Dows
Esterville
Fairfield
Holstein
Jewell
Lake Mills
New Vienna
Maquoketa
Mediapolis
Countries
with BSL
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Chile
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Romania
Samoa
Spain
Sweden
U.A.E.
U.S.A.
Wallis & Futuna Islands
West Bank
W. Sahara
Restricted or Banned in the U. S.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Bulldog
Belgian Malinois
Boerboels
Cane Corso
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
English Mastiff
Fila Brasileiro
German Shepherd
Great Dane
Irish Wolfhound
Presa Mallorquin
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Scottish Deerhound
Shar Pei
Siberian Husky
Tosa Inu
Wolf-Hybrid
Banned Because of Size (>100 lbs)
Akbash
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Bull Mastiff
Estrela Mountain Dog
Italian Mastiff
Kangal Dog
Leonberger
Newfoundland
St. Bernard
Anatolian Shepherd
Borzoi
Dogue du Bordeaux
Great Pyrenees
Komodor
Kuvasz
Neopolitan Mastiff
Otter Hound
Spanish Mastiff
The most often targeted breeds:
Don’t let lawmakers close the curtain on our beloved dogs!
Is Your Breed
Banned?
If your town enacts BSL, your breed
may be next!
IrishIrish
Wolfhound:
Restricted
in Fairfield,
Iowa
Wolfhound:
Restricted
in Fairfield,
Iowa.
Ch. Panda’s Black-Eyed Susan: BANNED
If this dog is caught in a city with a ban, she can be euthanized.
Davang’s Noelle Krohn
Obedience Champion
Dangerous Dog?
Great Dane: Restricted Breed
Is this child really in danger?
Vacationing
with
your dog
could
become an
extinct
hobby.
Mastiff: Restricted Breed
If we don’t stop BSL…
These dogs won’t be clowning
around any more.
Saint Bernard: known for rescue work
Now a restricted breed.
No Breed Is Safe From BSL
How can YOU prevent BSL?
Time is Running Out!
Get Involved!
• Join your local Kennel Club!
• Get your dog an AKC Canine Good
Citizen Certificate!
• Train and get your dog certified as a
therapy dog!
• Be seen as an important, contributing
part of the community!
• Help incorporate strong responsible
dog ownership laws!
• Encourage enforcement of LEASH
LAWS!
Educate! Educate! Educate!
• Volunteer to teach kids about safe
behavior around dogs!
• Support efforts to teach responsible
dog ownership!
• Offer neighborhood classes to teach
families about THEIR dogs!
• Support dog bite prevention programs!
• Invite your city officials to your
events!
Use Available Resources!
• Work with the local Humane
Society, breed rescues, dog
clubs and animal shelters!
• Volunteer for public awareness
campaigns to encourage
adoption of pets!
• Get to know your local
lawmakers and help them learn
about dogs in the community!
Remember: United we Stand!
• Maintain a good relationship with local
shelters, rescue groups and dog clubs!
• Present yourself to local legislators as part
of the solution and not part of the
problem!
• Diplomacy will go far in preventing bad
legislation!
• There is an OWNER problem, help draft
good dog laws without infringing on the
rights of the responsible owner!
Good PR is vital to keeping our beloved breeds!
My City Has Proposed BSL!
Now What????
Communicate
Set up a phone tree to contact local dog
club members
 Attend public meetings and be prepared
to speak
 Split a list of points between several
people when making timed speeches
 Keep each other informed on meeting
times and new developments
 Always be polite, professional and
knowledgeable
 Remember, whatever you do or say
represents many dog owners
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Organize! Contact:
National and local dog clubs
 Training clubs & professional trainers
 Hunters & sportsmen who use dogs
 Breed rescues & private shelters
 Volunteers in therapy or SAR work
 Veterinarians & groomers
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Start a Petition Drive!
Get requirements from the County Clerk
 Get a list of voters from a friendly
politician
 Only allow registered voters to sign
 Make sure people know to sign only once
 Get volunteers to take petitions
everywhere people gather
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Be Heard!
Send e-mails, letters and faxes stating
your position against BSL to your
representative
 Call sponsors of BSL proposals
 Contact Committee members who will
decide the fate of BSL
 Contact Council Members and determine
their positions
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Be Seen!
Attend Council meetings where BSL will be
discussed
 Agree to wear ribbons or t-shirts that
identify you as foes of BSL
 Use bumper stickers or ribbon magnets for
a visual message on the street
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Prepare for the Worst
Plan fundraisers for legal fees
 Contact national organizations that might
help in court
 Get recommendations for an attorney
experienced in dog law
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Hold Elected Leaders Accountable
Learn the laws concerning recall electionsand use them if bad laws are passed!
 Vocally support dog-friendly lawmakers,
volunteer for their campaigns and help
keep them in office!
 Vocally oppose those who vote for laws
that hurt our dogs!
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WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE EVER VIGILANT
TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO
OWN THE BREEDS OF OUR CHOICE
Thanks go to all those who donated pictures of their beloved dogs to help raise
awareness of Breed Specific Legislation and to those that collected much of the
information on the various cities, states and countries.
For additional information go to www.amrottclub.org/bsl
Created by Karen Brinkley, LTD.
Copyrighted by American Rottweiler Club, Inc.