This document provides an overview of breed-specific legislation (BSL) from the perspective of someone opposed to it. It begins with how the author first learned about BSL and was shocked by laws banning pit bulls. It then defines BSL and discusses the breeds most often targeted, including pit bulls. The document outlines the history of BSL in the US and its origins in the 1980s as a reaction to increased media coverage of dog attacks. It notes shifts over time in breeds perceived as dangerous. While some support BSL as a means to reduce dog attacks, many reputable organizations oppose it as ineffective and discriminatory.

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Slide1: Breed SpecificLegislation – OpeningSlide
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Slide2: How I learned aboutBSL
A yearago, I didn’tknowanythingaboutBreedSpecificLegislation(BSL) orthatsuch a concept existed. Then,
about2 monthsbefore Istartedthisclass,I was watchinga docudrama on National Geographiccalledthe Pit
Boss. Inthisepisode,Shorty,the leadcharactertravelledtoDenvertoadvocate onbehalf of pitbullsandpit
bull ownersagainstthe 1989 BSL banningpitbulls. To sayI was shockedandhorrifiedthata societythat
pridesitself onindividual rightsandfreedomwouldpermitgovernmentofficialstobarge theirwayinto
someone’shome andtake awayANDkill theirbelovedfamilypetisanunderstatement. Ijustcouldn’tbelieve
it andwantedto findoutmore about it. I feltsure there wassome degree of poeticlicensegoingonsothat is
whyI chose thisas my final project.
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Slide3: Gandhi Quote
“I hold that themore helpless a creature, themore entitled it is to protection by man fromthe crueltyof man”
(Thisquote tiesnicelyintomyconclusionif Ievergetthere!)
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Slide4: Whatis BSL?
It is “Legislation aimed at eradicating or strictly regulating dogsbased solely on their breed”(HSUS).
SimplyputBSL placesrestrictionsonaparticularbreedof dog.
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Slide5: BSL isbased uponthe premisethat “breed or appearance determines a dog’sbehavior.”
Implementationof BSLrelies uponcorrectidentificationof that breed orappearance by governmentofficials
(animal control officers),police andthe public. Mostof these are not qualifiedtomake thisdetermination. As
we shall see laterbreedidentificationisverydifficult.
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Slide6: Examplesof BSL Restrictions
Restrictions placedoncertainbreeds caninclude:requiringregistrationwithamunicipality,microchipping,
sterilization,requiringadditional liabilityinsurance,propertyconfinement,wearingamuzzle, labelingadog
viciouswhichcouldbe eitheracollartag or a signon the property,to whatI findthe mostshocking,removal
and euthanasiaof the familypet,more commonlyknownasa breedban.
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Slide:7 Whatbreeds does BSL target?
BSL predominantly targetspitbulls butitcan include otherbreeds. Some of the more frequentlyincluded are:
Rottweiler’s,PresaCanarios, Akitas, BostonTerriers,Wolf Hybrids,NeapolitanMastiff andChows. Intotal,
some 75 breedshave appearedinBSLincluding …………..Pause until“75 breeds – isyourdog nextgraphic
appears”
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Slide:8 Includingthe Queen ofEngland’sfamous Corgi’sa breed that was once bannedin Italy!
(It isverydifficulttoobtaincurrentaccurate facts. There isa wealthof informationoutthere andIhad to
carefullychoose reputable resources. Thisissucha contentioussubjectsothere are manyunreliable
resourcesplusthe lawsare constantlychanging.)
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Slide9: So what exactlyis a pit bull?
We knowthatmost BSL targetsthe pitbull,sowhatis a pitbull? Ratherthan a breed,itisa termusedto
describe 3 different breedswithsimilarcharacteristics: theAmerican PitBull terrier (APBT),theAmerican
StaffordshireTerrier (AMSTAFF) and theStaffordshireBull Terrier (Staffy).
BSL addressesthiscomplexitybyincludingverybroaddefinitionsof the targetedbreed:
“Any dog which hasthe appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of thebreedsof bull
terrier, Staffordshirebullterrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshireterrier;or a
combination of any of thesebreeds….(meaning a dog “displayingthemajorityofphysical traits” of
any of these breedsor “exhibitingthosedistinguishingcharacteristics which substantially conformto
the standardsestablished by theAmerican KennelClub or United KennelClub.”)
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Slide10: Historyof BSL
How didBSL come about inthe USA? BSL reareditsuglyheadinthe early80s as a knee-jerkreactiontowhat
appearedtobe an increase indogbite incidentsand the resultingmedia“sensationalism”of pitbulls.
Priorto BSL, dangerousdoglawshad beenthe legal mechanismusedtominimize dogbite injuries.
The difference betweenthe twoisthatdangerousdoglawsregulate “ownershipof dogsbasedonthe
animal’spriorconduct”whereasBSLregulatesaspecificbreedof dogregardlessof itsindividualbehavior.

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Slide11: Pre “PitBull Paranoia”
Before the pitbull frenzy,dogsthathadreceivedthe esteemed reputationforbeingdangerousoraggressive
were the German Shepherd,the Doberman Pinscherandthe Rottweiler. These dogswere typically
“employed”inattackingrolessuchaspolice detective workandjunkyard/usedcarlotguardianship, andquite
successfully fulfilled the “dogtobe feared”role….. aseeminglynecessarycomponent of oursociety.
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Slide12: PriorPit Bull Reputation
Up until the 1970s, the pitbull breedsactuallyhad enjoyed aprettypositive image.
As a mascot forthe AmericanmilitaryinWWI – mostfamousbeingSergeantStubbywhobecame the most
decoratedwardog inhistoryfor warningtroopsof incomingattacksand capturinga Germanspy and
as Tighe,the mascotfor the BusterBrown Shoe Companyand
as the star Peteyinthe TV show “Our Gang” whichlaterbecame “Little Rascals” and
generallyknownasdevotedfamilypets
TeddyRooseveltalsohadapitbull inthe White House.

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Slide13: Sowhat changed?
Certainpitbull characteristicslike the strongjaw, abilitytoholdonundeterred anditsloyaltyledoverthe
yearsto it beingexploitedas
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Slide14: Dog Fighting
the dogof choice forundergrounddogfightingoperations.Inthe mid-70slaw enforcementandthe Humane
Societybegananinvestigationintodogfighting. Throughthisprocesspit bullswere exposedasthe dogused
for these horrendous activities.
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Slide15: Enter the media
Whenthe medialearnedof this theyquicklybecame fixatedwithanyreportof pitbull bitingincidentsalmost
entirelytothe exclusionof all otherbreedsandthe gulliblepublicsoakeditall up….andpitbull hysteriawas
born! There wasnowa newdogto be feared!
In July 1987,for example, fourmajormagazines(Time,People, SportsIllustrated,andRolling Stone) published
negativecoverstories and/orin-deptharticlesabout "pitbull" dogs.
Animal control officersacrossthe countryhave actually toldthe ASPCA thatwhentheyalertthe mediatoa
dog attack,newsoutletsrespondthattheyhave nointerestinreportingon the incidentunlessitinvolves apit
bull.

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Slide16: MediaFrenzy
The ASPCA website references a study by theNationalCanineResearch Council of dog-bite reportingovera
four-dayperiodindicatesthatanti-pitbullbiasinthe mediaisnota theory—it’safact.Overthe 4 days,a Lab
mix and 2 othermixedbreeddogswere involvedinseriousbitingincidentsbuteachwasonlyreportedinthe
local media1-2 timesyet,whenpitbullswere involvedinanincident the reportappearedinover230 articles
nationally,internationallyandonthe major televisionnetworksincludingCNN,MSNBCandFOX.
1. August18, 2007—A Labradormix attacked a 70-year-old man,sending himto thehospitalin critical
condition.Police officersarrived at the sceneand the dog wasshotaftercharging the officers.
This incident wasreported in onearticle in the local paper.
2. August19, 2007—A 16-month-old child received fatalhead and neckinjuries afterbeing attacked by
a mixed-breed dog.
This attackwasreported on twice by the local paper.
3. August20, 2007—A six-year-old boy washospitalized afterhaving hiseartorn off and receiving a
severe bite to thehead by a medium-sized,mixed-breed dog.
This incident wasreported in onearticle in the local paper.
4. August21, 2007—A 59-year-old woman wasattacked in herhomeby two pit bulls and was
hospitalized withsevere,but notfatal,injuries.
This attackwasreported in over 230 articles in nationaland internationalnewspapers,aswellas
majortelevision newsnetworksincluding CNN,MSNBCand FOX.
So nowthe mediahad successfullycreatedacatch 22 situation; the more the media“glamorized”pitbullsthe
more attractive pitbulls became tolowlives insearchof a tough aggressive icontoenhance theirownsorry
self image andthe more pitbullswere selectively bredtoenhance theirfighting characteristics.
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Slide17: Whereis BSL Now?(Global)
I guessthe mediacan be reallyproudof theirachievementsfortoday BSLexistsinnumerous (15) countries
across the world….
Notesforme:
The Netherlandsbannedpitbullsin1993 buthave since liftedthat banbecause itdidn’tleadtoa decrease in
bite incidents.
Italyalsonowtreats all dogsthe same andno longersupportsBSLlaws
Germanyhas BSL
PuertoRico - ban
UnitedArabEmirates – Restrictionsandpossible ban
UK – 1991 law – ban – studyshowedbitingincidentshadincreased1998-2008
Ireland– ban

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Spain– Restrictions
Singapore – Restrictionsandpossible ban
Australia– some bans
Canada – some bans
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Slide18: Whereis BSL? (National)
…Andin the UnitedStates, one state and hundredsof municipalities inover40 otherstateshave adopted BSL.
Probablythe most up to date listavailable canbe foundatwww.understand–a–bull.com.
(Difficulttofinda definitive listof statesandcountriesthathave BSLso these are approximations)
States(7) thatdon’t have anyreportedBSL: Maine , Vermont,New Hampshire,Connecticut,Minnesota,
Wyoming,Nevada
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Slide19: MilitaryIntelligence?
Today the US militaryhaschosento ignore the debtitowestoSergeantStubbyandotherslike him.
In March, 2009 the U.S.Army standardizeditspetpolicy,barringpitbreeds (like AmericanStaffordshire bull
terriersandEnglishStaffordshire bull terriers),Rottweilers,Dobermans,chows,wolfhybridsandanyothers
that displayadominantor aggressive behaviorinitsprivatizedhousing.
Since then,several NavyandAirForce installationshave alsoinstitutedbreedspecific bans.
In August2009, the Marine Corpsissuedthe first worldwide policybanningpitbulls, Rottweiler’s,wolf hybrids
and anydogs with"dominanttraitsof aggression"fromall U.S.Marine Corps basesandhousingfacilities.
(Some of these policiesallowedfor grandfatheringinalreadyowneddogsbutinactuality dogswere evicted
by local enforcement assoonas the familieswererelocated.)
Apparentlythe Obamaadministrationhadpromisedtolookintothe military’sbreedbanbutI have notbeen
able to locate anyformal opinionorstatementonthe subjecttodate.

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Slide20: Ohio
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The one state that has enactedstatewide breed-specificlaws isOhio.Theircurrentlaw statesthatif a dog
"belongstoa breedthatis commonlyknownasa pitbull",thenitisautomaticallyconsideredviciousand
dangerous.
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Ownersof these dogsmustsubmitreportstothe boardof healthandcountydog wardenwheneverthere isa
transferof ownership.Breed-specificlanguage instate law hasalsoenabledlocal Ohiomunicipalitiestoenact
strict ordinancesregardingownershipof "pitbulls"andhasledtothe ban and euthanasiaof numerousdogs in
communitiesthroughoutthe state.
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Slide22: Ohio - There is Still Hope
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However,there isacomprehensive dogcontrol bill thatiscurrentlyinthe legislature thatwouldrepeal Ohio’s
statewide BSL. Thisbill passedthe house inJune and wastentativelysetforaSenate judiciaryhearingon
November16th
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No updatesyetonthe Ohiostate legislature website.

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Slide23: The PublicDebate – For BSL
BSL is a hotlydebatedtopicbothinandout of the courts. Beginningwiththe publicdebate,those that
supportBSL claimtheirgoal is to putan endto dog attacks by targetingcertainbreedsof dogthatare
"inherentlyvicious/dangerous",anddogsthattendto appeal topeople who are involvedincriminal activity
(i.e.drugdealers,dogfighters,,etc).
DogsBite.org isa website supportedbyanational dogbite victims'group. Theirwebsite claimstobe a public
education resource thattracksall seriousandfatal dog attacks and is“designedtoprotectbothpeople and
petsfromfuture attacks”
Althoughthe site appearstotargetpitbullsand misrepresentsome statisticsandfacts, Ido recommend
takingtime to readsome of the storiesonthis site asit is importantto understand bothsidesof anargument.
There isno doubtthat dog attacks are horrendousandcan sometimesoccurforno apparentreason (see BAD
RAPsupporterDarla Napora’sstory) andas responsibledogowners are somethingwe needtobe aware of.

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Slide24: The PublicDebate – AgainstBSL
(Note:Ifounda lotmore websitesandargumentsagainstBSL.)
Those that oppose BSLargue that it:
Does nothingto prevent or reduce dog bitingincidents asall dogbreeds can bite. A studydone by Prince
George’sCounty,MD in2003 on the effectivenessof itsban,itfoundthat“publicsafetyisnotimprovedasa
resultof the ban. (More on itssuccessof failure later)
Makes the breed more appealingto criminals
Does absolutelynothingto holdirresponsibleownersaccountableandactuallypunishesresponsibleowners.
Discriminates againstpeoplewho chooseto own a particularbreed ofdog andpunishesthose dogsthat are
reliablecommunitycitizenslike therapy dogsand search and rescue dogs.
Leads to some owners placingtheir dogsin “hiding” sothe dogisno longervetted (apublichealthandsafety
issue).
Givesthe communitya false sense ofsecurity as resourcesare divertedtoenforcingBSL,theyare not focused
on enforcingotherdoglawlike sterilization,vaccinations,leashlaws,microchipping,etc.
Problematicto enforce because it requires identificationofthebreed oftenby inexperienced local
government officials resultinginthousandsof pets atriskof beingeuthanized. Itisvirtuallyimpossible to
accuratelyidentifythe breed. If youhaven’tdone thisalready,Irecommendyou go to
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.htmlandtake thissimple test.
Ignore - A well knowexampleof animal control officersbeingunable tocorrectlyidentifyabreed
came in2007, whenanimal control removed Mike andAmyJohnson’sdogNikofromtheirhome in
KansasCityfor violatingthe city’sbanagainstharboringpitbulls. Eightmonthsandone DNA testlater
Niko…the boxer….wasfinallyreturnedtohishome!
It is alsovery costlyto enforce. Defendingthe legislationinthe courtshas provenextremelyexpensivefor
manycommunities: ItcostsOhioansmore than$17 millionannuallytoenforce itsbanonpit bulls.
The UK spent$14 millionin5yearsattemptingtoenforce itslegislation.
And finally…Ifpitbullswereoutlawed…wouldthedogfighters justquietly goaway? Thoseobsessed with
dog fighting would either ignorethe lawsor would turn to otherbreeds. The CDC noted“the likelihoodthatas
certainbreedsare regulated,those whoexploitdogsbymakingthemaggressivewillreplace themwithother,
unregulatedbreeds” We actuallysawinthe dog fightingvideo “Off the Chain”thatthe dogfighterbeing
interviewedsaidthatBSL wouldnotstop him.

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Slide25: OrganizationsThatOpposeBSL
Due to the ineffectivenessof breedspecificlegislation, atleast15 well know reputableorganizations including
the ASPCA,the Humane Society,BestFriendsandthe CDC have takena positionagainst breedbans:
You can see themall on the slide
American Dog OwnersAssociation (ADOA)
American Humane
American KennelClub (AKC)
American Societyfor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(ASPCA)
American Veterinary MedicalAssociation (AVMA)
American Working Dog Federation (AWDF)
Association of PetDog Trainers(APDT)
Best FriendsAnimalSociety
Centersfor DiseaseControland Prevention (CDC).
HumaneSocietyof the United States(HSUS)
InternationalAssocation of AnimalBehaviorConsultants(IAABC)
InternationalAssociation of CanineProfessionals(IACP)
NationalAnimalControlAssociation (NACA)
NationalAnimalInterestAlliance (NAIA)
NationalAssociation of Dog ObedienceInstructors(NADOI)

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Slide26: PETA
Websitesgalore reporthowPETA supportsBSL. This isthe positiontheytake:
“Breed specific legislation (witha grandfatherclauseforthosedogsalready in existence) can be an important
tool in ending the tragicexploitation of these breeds.”
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Slide27: A word aboutStatistics
Both supportersand opposesof BSLalike cite toshockingstatisticstodefendtheirargument.
DogBite.orgforexample isrife withdogbite statisticslike“From2005 to 2010, pitbullskilled104 Americans,
aboutone citizenevery21 days.Of these attacks,50% (52) involvedafamilymemberandahouseholdpit
bull.”Andinthe first8 monthsof 2011, nearlyhalf of those killedbyapitbull wasitsowner.”
Contraryto this in a videoexaminingBSLonCurrentTV’swebsite,itquoted 20people were killedbydogsin
2009 but thendrewa comparisontoanotherstatisticreportingthatapproximately2,000 childrenare killed
each yearby theirparents. Italsostatedthat individuals have aone in25 millionchance of beingbittenbya
dog anda far greaterchance of beingstruckby lightning.
Ignore (Co-foundedbyAl Gore,CurrentTV exploresprovocative subjectsencouragingopenmindsand
dialogs)
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Slide28: A WordaboutStatistics(CDC Statement)
Municipalitieswantingtopassbreed-specificlegislation(BSL) oftencite the CentersforDisease Control dog
bite statisticsreport “Breedsof dogsinvolvedinfatal humanattacksinthe UnitedStatesbetween1979 and
1998” to“prove” thatparticularbreedsare inherentlyvicious,orat leastmore so thanotherbreeds. This
reportis popularbecause itappearstoshow “pit bulls”asbeingresponsiblefornearlyone-third(31.13%) of
humanfatalitiesoverthe twentyyearperiodfrom1979-1998.
However,followingthisstudy,the CDCdecidednottosupportBSL citingamongotherproblems,the
inaccuracy of the dog bite data theygathered andthe difficultyinidentifyingdogbreeds(especiallytrue of
mixed-breeddogs). Asthere isnonational listof dogbite statistics,the CDCobtainedsome of theirdogbite
data by scanningnewsarticles.
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The CDC has since postedthe followingstatementontheirwebsite butstilllocal governmentsandDogBite.org
cite to that flawedstudy.
The CDC study ……… doesnotidentify specific breedsthatare mostlikely to bite or kill, and thusis not
appropriateforpolicy-making decisionsrelated to thetopic.

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Slide29: More aboutStatistics
- Only account for reported bites - Bite stats do nottake intoaccount the dogsof a specifiedbreed thatdo
NOT bite.Noone knowsthe overall percentageof PitBullswhobite comparedto the percentage of
DalmatiansorGoldenRetrieverswhobite
- Do not identifybitesthat were “caused” at a groomersor vets
- Do not identifywhetherthe biteswere provoked by aggressive or irresponsible humanbehavior.
- No national registryof bite stats. Communitieskeeptheirownstatsandtheyare basedonthe victims
reportingandas mentionedearlier,the resulting problemof incorrectidentificationof the breed
- Andfinally,anyresearcherwill tellyouthatstatisticsare onlyasgood as theirinterpretation. The question
alwayshasto be asked "Whofundedthe study??" RememberMattTullysaidhe can hire any kindof
expertwitnesstosaywhateverhe wantsthemtosay. Alwayskeepanopenmindwhencitingastatistic
regardlessof whetheritisone thatsupportsor refutesyourargument.

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Slide30: Constitutional Challenges
So we have discussedthe publicdebatenow let’slookatthe courtdiscussions.
CONSTITUTIONALCHALLENGES
Since itsinceptioninthe 1980s, BSL hasalso beena contentiousdebate inthe courtsystem. The
constitutionalityof BSLhasbeencalledintoquestionbecause unlikedangerousbreedlaws,BSLsinglesout
one specificbreedandtherefore,the ownersof thatbreed. Basically,thesechallengeshave fallenunderthe
14th
amendmentwithconcernsrelatingtoequal protection,substantive andprocedural due processand
vagueness. Forthe mostpart BSL has beenupheldbecause BSLisusuallyintroducedinresponse toaserious
dog attack where dogs(usuallypitbulls) are seentobe athreat to the public. Sothe courts tendto agree that
the lawsatisfiesastate or local legitimate governmentalpurpose of protectingthe safetyandwelfareof the
publicanddoesnot threatenafundamental rightbecause owningapitbull isnota fundamental right.
Equal ProtectionChallenges:
Equal Protection lawsmusttreatall individualsinsimilarconditionsandcircumstancesinthe same manner.
Some exceptionsare permissible,buttheymustbe reasonablyrelatedtothe purpose of the legislation.In
mostcases BSL isupheldasbeingreasonablyrelatedtoitspurpose.
In Stateof Florida v. Peters, 534 So.2d760 (Fla.App.3Dist.1988) – the court ruledthat the constitutional
guarantee of equal protectiondoesn’trequirethatall dogownersbe treatedsimilarlyonlypitbull owners.
Overbroad or underinclusivechallengeshave alsobeenbroughtunderequal protection
In Vanaterv.Villageof SouthPoint, 717 F.Supp.1236 (D. Ohio1989) the village ordinance waschallengedfor
failingtoinclude otherbreedsinitsban. The court foundthat failure toinclude otherpotentiallydangerous
breedsdidnotmake the lawunconstitutional aslongasthe classificationhadsome reasonable basis.
Due ProcessChallenges:
The FourteenthAmendmentprovidesthatnostate shall "deprive anypersonof life,liberty,orproperty,
withoutdue processof law."
Due processclaimshave twoforms:substantive due processandprocedural due process. Substantive due
processexaminesthe substanceof the law,while procedural due processevaluatesthe mannerinwhichthe
lawis administered. Violationsof bothhave beenraisedinchallengestobreed-specificlegislation.
Substantive Due Process
Legal precedence regardingdogregulationunderthe substantive due processchallengewasestablishedvery
earlyon intwoSupreme Courtcases:
In Sentell v.New Orleans& Carrollton R.R.,166 U.S. 698 (1897) and 23 years laterinNicchiav.NewYork, 254
U.S. 228 (1920), the Court determinedthatstatesmayregulate dogsasa validexerciseof theirpolice power
and as such isnot a deprivationof due process.

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Procedural Due Process
There has actuallybeensome successwithchallengesof violationof procedural due processasitrelatesto
vagueness. Procedural due processrequiresthatthe regulatedconductbe clearlydefinedandprovide
adequate notice sothatordinarypersonscan understandwhatisbeingregulated. BSL isoftenchallenged
underthisvaguenessdoctrine asitpertainstothe definitionof apitbull. For the mostpart courts cite to
commonuse and meaningthatshouldputthe owneron notice. However:
In American Dog OwnersAss’n v.City of Des Moines,469 N.W. 2d 416 (Iowa1991) (supreme courtof Iowa),
the court foundthe BSL (pitbreedban) unconstitutional becausethe descriptionreferringtopitbull mixes
and dogswithpitbull like appearanceswouldallow forsubjective enforcementandsowasinviolationof the
owner’sdue processright.

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Slide31: Denver Law andCurrent Status
DENVER LAW – BACKGROUNDAND CURRENT STATUS
As I saidat the beginningof mypresentation,Ibecame interestedinBSLwhenIlearntabout the Denver’s
breedban. This isprobablythe mostwell knownandcontentiousof BSLssoI wantedtotalk a little bit about
the litigationsurroundingthatandthe currentstatus.
Denverfirstenacteditspitbull ordinance in1989 inresponse totwoseparate dogbitingincidents;aboywas
killedandaministerseverelyinjured. Since the ban,thousandsof pitbullshave beenkilled. In 2005 and 2006
alone,the cityeuthanized1,454dogs.
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Slide32: Denver Law Definesa Pit Bull
The Denverlawdefinesapitbull:
"any dog thatis an American Pit Bull Terrier, American StaffordshireTerrier,StaffordshireBull Terrier,
or any dog displaying themajority of physicaltraits of any one(1) or moreof theabovebreeds,or any
dog exhibiting thosedistinguishing characteristicswhich substantially conformto thestandards
established by the American KennelClub or United KennelClub forany of the abovebreeds."
Followingitsenactmentthere have beenseveral unsuccessful challenges.
Thenin 2004, thenGovernorBill Owenssignedameasure prohibitingColoradomunicipalitiesandcounties
fromenactingbreed-specificlegislation.InresponseonApril 24,2004, Denversuspendedenforcementof its
pitbull ban butimmediatelychallengedthe state onitshome-rulerighttoenforce. Shortlythereafter,ajudge
ruledthatDenver’sBSLcouldbe allowedtostandas a home rule exception. SoonMay 8, 2005 Denver
reinstateditsBSL.
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Slide33: Denver Law Suits
Since then,there have beenacouple of lawsuitsthatare still active thatmaywell pave the wayto overturning
Denver’sandneighboringcityAurora’spitbull bans.
Diasv. The CityandCountyof Colorado
In 2007, 3 pit bull owners(SonyaDias,HillaryEngle andSheyrl White)allegedthe Denverordinance deprived
themof procedural due process,substantivedue processandequal protectionof the law. Theywantedthe
ban removedandsoughtdamagesforthe costs theyincurredinmovingoutof the city to avoidlosingtheir
dogs.

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The US DistrictCourt forthe Districtof Coloradoimmediatelydismissedthe case butthe plaintiffsappealedto
the TenthCircuit. As part of the argumentthe plaintiffsstatedthatthe 1989 law was basedon the bodyof
knowledge aboutpitbullsthatwasaroundat thattime,butthat 20 years laterthatknowledge haschanged
and no longerincludesevidence supportingthe necessityof abreedban. The TenthCircuitdidnot rule on the
meritsof the case butreversedthe dismissalandremandeditforfurtherlitigationunderthe substantivedue
processclaimindicatingthata pitbull banis plausiblynotrationallyrelatedtoalegitimate government
interest.
Denverthenaskedthe US DistrictCourtto issue a summaryjudgmenttoendthe case,claimingthere were no
material factsat issue regardingwhetherthe ordinance isrationallyrelatedtoalegitimate government
purpose. However,the courtafterhearingexpertopinionfrombothsidesasto whetherpitbullsare more
likelytobite thanotherbreeds,partlydeniedDenver’smotionleaving the claimof violationof the plaintiffs’
substantive due processpending(9/29/10)
(Partof the problemwasthat defendant’sexpertmisusedandmisquoteddatacontainedinthe CDCreport I
discussedearlier). Thatwas the mostrecentinformationIcould findonthat case withouthavingaccessto
LexisorWestlawbutso far so good.
The secondcase wasprecededby the U.S. Departmentof Justice issuing final rulesregardingbanned-breed
service dogs.The rules,whichtookeffectinMarch2011 in a new provisionof the AmericanswithDisabilities
Act, prohibitdogsbeingbannedasservice dogsbecause of theirbreed.
Grideret al v. Cityand Countyof Denveretal
As soonas DOJ issueditsfinal rulingin2010, (onMarch 31, 2010), the Animal Law Center filedafederal
lawsuitonbehalf of 3 disabledplaintiffsand laterShortyRossi (PitBoss) challengingthe breedbansinDenver
and the neighboringcityof Aurorathatpreventedresidentsfromhavingpitbullsasservice dogs…onthe basis
that the ban violatesportionsof the AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.
(Auroramay have adopteditsownBSL to keepDenver’spitbullsfromcomingin) (The episode of the PitBoss
that I sawshowedthe 1/21/2011 demonstrationinsupportof the law suit)
However,still undeterred,bothcitiesrefusedtoamendtheirBSL. But finally,inApril of thisyear,Denver’s
directorof Animal Care and Control filedanaffidavitstatingthattobe in compliance withthe ADA,the city
will notpreventuse of pitbullsforservice dogs.
Thenin May, 2011, Aurorapassedan ordinance thatrelaxedsome restrictionsonthe use of pitbullsasservice
dogsand the city council approvedrepeal of theirBSLforall restrictedbreeds exceptthe "pitbull"(APBT,AST,
SBT). Sotheirordinance still containspitbull restrictions,suchasrequiringpitbullstobe keptbehindsecure
fenceswheninayard.
Apparentlybothjurisdictionsare currentlyreconsideringtheirdogbreedbansbutJenniferRebaEdwards
(attorneyonthe PitBoss lawsuit) intendstoproceedwiththe lawsuituntil she’sconvincedherclientsmayuse
theirservice dogswithoutrestrictionsandwithoutthe fearthatthe dogsmaybe takenawayby an
overzealousanimalcontrol officer.

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“We wouldneedthe lawchanged,ora permanentinjunctionputintoplace sothatthese restrictionscannot
be upheldorenforcedagainstpeople withserviceanimals,”she says.
(Motionto Dismissplaintiffs’amendedcomplaint4/15/11)

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Slide34: 13 States actuallyProhibitBSL
California,Colorado,Florida?,Illinois,Maine,Minnesota,New Jersey,New York,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania,
Texas,Virginia,and Washington –(There wasa bill in theFlorida legislature SB 1276 in 2010 to overturn this
prohibition – not sureof the outcome)
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Slide35: New York State andBSL
NewYork State isone of the 13 statesthat prohibitdiscriminatorybreedprofilingandbreedspecific
dangerousdoglaws by local governments.
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Slide36: New York State andBSL – Article7
Article 7,Section107, Paragraph 5 of Agriculture andMarketslaw states:
“Nothing contained in this article shallpreventa municipality fromadopting itsown programforthe controlof
dangerousdogs;provided, however,thatno such program shallbeless stringentthan this article, and no such
programshallregulatesuch dogsin a mannerthatis specific as to breed.”
NewYork municipalitieswithbreedspecificlawscannotlegallyenforce them however;we have justheard
howDenverandAurora have blatantlyignoredColorado’slaw prohibitingBSLsowe cannot necessarily
considerourselvessafe here inNew York. Accordingto http://rott-n-chatter.webs.com/ there are abouta
dozenNY communities whohave some formof BSLon theirbooks,however,Iresearchedthosemunicipalities
listedanddiscoveredthatsome hadinfactalreadyremovedthe reference to“pitbull”fromtheirlegislation.
There are however,three communitiesthat Ifoundwhere BSLstill appearstobe current: (I have copieswith
me)
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Slide37: New York State andBSL – 3 Municipalities
Village of Larchmont,WestchesterCounty - Pitbull baneffective 1998. Any previouslyowned pitbullswere
allowedtoremainbutthe ownerwas requiredtocarry insurance of $500,000.
Village of SandsPoint,NassauCounty,LI –Restriction requires thatpitbull owners carry$300,000 insurance
Village of Hempstead,NassauCounty,LI – Restrictionrequires thatpitbull owners carry$100,000 insurance

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JustthisOctober, the city of Dunkirk, (ChautauquaCo) discussedabreedspecificbantodeal withitsdog
bitingconcernsandone councilmemberstatedhe woulddefinitelysupportsuchanoption. Fortunately,other
membersof the council are aware of the NY law prohibitingsuchanordinance so theyare currently
consideringalternatives.
Aside frommunicipalities, New YorkCity’spublichousingauthority (city,state andfederallyfunded) hasone
of the strictestbansinthe country,prohibitingresidentsfromkeepingpure-bredormixed-breedpitbulls,
RottweilersandDobermanpinschers,aswellasanydog, withthe exceptionof service dogs,expectedto
weighmore than25 poundswhengrown.(4/2009). Accordingto a September,2009, New York Timesarticle,
manydogs have beenturnedinandeuthanizedbecauseof this ban.

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Slide38: Has BSL Been Successful?
As youcan see here,a numberof Statisticsfromaroundthe countryand World indicate thatBSL has not been
particularlysuccessful
In a 2010 studyby the National Canine ResearchCouncilthe authorscalculate thatinorderto preventasingle
hospitalizationresultingfroma dog bite,acity or townwouldhave toban more than 100,000 dogsof a
targetedbreed. Topreventasecondhospitalization,doublethatnumber.Dog-biterelatedfatalitiesare so
extremelyrare thatnot even one state couldbanenoughdogsto insure thattheyhad preventedevenone
fatality.
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Slide39: A Warning– CanineResearch Study
I thoughtthiswas prettyinteresting…..A studydone bythe Matrix Canine ResearchInstitute predictsthatif
nothingisdone to oppose BSL,there will be worldwidecoverage by2022 and thisis notjust forpit bulls,more
pure breedswill be addedandmostwill targetdogsover40 lbs.

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Slide40: Alternativesto BSL
Enact and enforce a good non-breedspecificdoglaw makingownersliable fortheir pets’actions. There are
some model non-breedspecificlaws available onthe internet. One resource is stopbsl.comalso
bestfriends.com
Enforce leashlaws -- fine ownerswholettheirdogsrunloose orfail to keeptheminsecure enclosures.Use
the moneycollectedfromthese finestofundcommunitydogsafetyandresponsible ownershipprograms.
Employ significantpenaltiesforthose involvedinanyinhumaneorirresponsibleactivitywithanimals.
Educate the publicaboutresponsibledogownershipanddogbehavior –AKChas a free educationprogramon
dog care forelementaryschools.
Increase fundingforanimal control agencies
Preventcriminalsfromowningdogs
Regulate breeders
Fund spayand neuterprograms
Provide lowcost obedience trainingclassesandbehavioralassistance
Use an economicanalysistool todeterminethe costof a proposedBSL
(AttorneyLedyVanKavage,considered one of the country’sforemostexpertson BSLand BestFriendsAnimal
Societyhave developedaneconomicanalysistool (view itattheirwebsite, www.bestfriends.org) thatwould
helpcitiesdeterminethe potential fiscalimpactof enforcingBSLversushavingagoodnon–breed–specific
dangerousdoglawin place.)

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Slide41: Educate,don’t discriminate
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Slide42: Punishthe Deed, Not the Breed
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Slide43: Gypsy– And here she is my wonderfullittle pit mix…oris she?
Conclusion (Read thisleaving Gypsy’sPicture up)
In summary,Ifeel thatthe once voraciousembracingof BSLas the cure all pill tothe dogbiting“problem”has
begunto wane slightly,withsome municipalitiesrepealingBSLlaws,and some statesprohibitingBSL, but
there isstill a longwayto go to the day that pitbullsare justreferredtoas “dogs.”
Unfortunately,the mostlikelywaythiswill happeniswhenanother breedof dogreachesnotorietyfeeding
the mediaandthe public’sseeminglyunwaveringdesire tobe fearful aboutsomething.
What wouldbe a far superiorsolutionisif man/societyforonce justtookresponsibilityforitsactions,opened
itseyesandrealizedthatmancreatedthe problemsolet’sholdmanresponsible.
Of course,we clearlydonotlive inan ideal worldnordowe live ina societythattreatsits animalswell. I
believeinjudgingadogon the deednotbreedpremise however,itgoesfarbeyond thatas we don’tever
wantto get to the “deed”whatwe needto dois stoppussyfootingaroundthe criminal elementinoursociety
that perpetrate animal fighting.
Man iscruel to the dogs theyuse for theirprofitandperverse pleasure inthe fighting worldbutinsteadof
protectingthe dogfromthese men,BSL solidifies/compoundsthatabuse byholdingthe victimaccountable.
Yes we are movinginthe right directionwithmore stringentlaws likethe BushAdministration’sAnimal
FightingProhibitionEnforcementAct(2007) and NYS makingpresence ata dogfightnow a misdemeanor
rather thana violationBUTstill the punishmentsare pathetic.
There isa lotof “dogood” talkersoutthere that supportsoursociety’spremisethatanyone whohasserved
theirtime shouldbe givenasecondchance regardlessof the crime. Sorry,I don’tbuyit…Vickshouldnothave
beengivenasecondchance to a profitable career,Idon’tcare how goodof a football playerhe is…he
certainlyshouldn’tbe permittedtoevergonearanotherdog letalone ownone
…ANDwhat reallybothersme isthatour Presidentwentoutof hiswayto call up the ownerJeffreyLurie,of
the PhiladelphiaEagles, tocongratulate himongivingVickasecondchance!!! Whywouldhe make it his
business todothat; isa football playerreallythatimportanttothe national agenda? Iwasso sorry whenI
learnedthathe didthat so very,verydisappointed….isthereanyhope? Whatkindof message didhe intend
to sendthe publicandwhat kindof message didhe actuallysend…?

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THE END!!!!
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