Breed-specific Legislation - United States - Samples of Legislation

1. American Pit Bull Terrier.
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
3. American Staffordshire Terrier.
4. American Bulldog.
5. Any dog whose sire or dam is a dog of a breed which is defined as a banned breed of dog under this section.
6. Any dog whose owner registers, defines, admits or otherwise identifies the dog as being of a banned breed.
7. Any dog conforming or substantially conforming to the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or American Bulldog as defined by the United Kennel Club or American Kennel Club.
8. Any dog which is of the breed commonly referred to as "pit bull" and commonly recognizable and identifiable as such.
9. Any vicious dog which is found at large in violation of section 10-90.

“Pit bull" ... is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.

“Restricted Breed Of Dog” shall mean any American Bulldog (Old Country Bulldog), Dogo Argentino, Canary Dog (Canary Island Dog, Presa Canario, Perro De Presa Canario), Presa Mallorquin (Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Ca De Bou), Tosa Inu (Tosa Fighting Dog, Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff), Cane Corso (Cane Di Macellaio, Sicilian Branchiero), Fila Brasileiro or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds.

Owners of pit bull dogs and restricted dogs licensed within 60 days of the ordinance's effective date could keep their dogs only under restricted conditions, including:

• if the dog is licensed, spay/neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and has microchip identification;
• the owner is at least 21 years old and has at least $100,000 US liability insurance
• the dog is kept indoors or locked in a secured pen, with government-provided warning signs posted at entrances to the property;
• when off the property, the dog must be kept in a secure transportable container or must wear a muzzle while held on a four-foot long non-extensible leash;
• the dog may not be sold or transferred to anyone outside the owner's immediate family
• the owner must notify the government immediately if the dog is loose, stolen, at-large, unconfined, has mauled, bitten, attacked, threatened, or in any way menaced another animal or human, or has died.

suspended from April 21, 2004 to May 8, 2005

A "pit bull" ... is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds. The A.K.C. and U.K.C. standards for the above breeds are on file in the office of the clerk and recorder, ex officio clerk of the City and County of Denver, at City Clerk Filing No. 89457.
The law allowed owners of pit bulls living in Denver in July 1989 to keep them provided the owner:

• Registered the dog with the city and allowed the city to tattoo it with the registration number
• Was at least 21 years old
• Had $100,000 US in liability insurance
• Kept the dog confined
• Did not sell or otherwise transfer the dog to anyone except someone in the owner's immediate family.
• Posted a sign of specified dimensions and lettering ("PIT BULL DOG") at every possible entrance to the property where the dog was kept.

Any pit bull not in compliance will be impounded, and the owner given 10 days to pay the impoundment costs and produce evidence the dog will be permanently removed from Sioux City. Otherwise it will be put down.

"For the purposes of this chapter "dangerous animal" means and includes...any pit bull dog. "Pit bull dog" is defined to mean any and all of the following dogs:

a. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs;

b. The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs;

c. The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs;

d. Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier.

"The registration of a dog at any time in any jurisdiction as a pit bull or any of the dogs listed above shall constitute prima facie evidence the animal is prohibited by this section. "All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs or wolf hybrids must within ten (10) days of the effective date of this ordinance provide proof to the City Clerk of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of $300,000.00 for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal."

Note: the ordinance was amended in 2007 to increase liability insurance requirements from $50,000 to $300,000

On August 21, 2012, the court reconsidered its ruling and wrote a new opinion that the ruling should apply only to pure-bred pit bulls.

"The Code also requires that Pit Bulls be maintained within a building or secured kennel if kept outdoors for any length of time. In addition, the Code states that Pit Bulls outside of a building or kennel must be under the control of an adult and secured by an unbreakable leash. Violations to this provision will result in fines up to $1,000 or a sentence of not more than six months imprisonment.

"Pit Bulls include any and all of the following breed of dogs: Staffordshire Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; American Pit Bull Terrier; or dogs that exhibit the characteristics of a Pit Bull more than any other breed of dog."

• Stray Bully breeds and aggressive animals will be held for the State mandated holding period (pending owner claim). If not claimed the animal will be humanely euthanized
• Owners may claim their aggressive animal after they show reasonable proof of ownership and pay fees. Further, Animal Control Department will refer matter to Prosecutor’s Office for a determination regarding potential prosecution for violation of law.
• The Livingston County Animal Control staff has sole discretionary authority to deem an animal to be aggressive or to be a bully breed"

1. Substantially conform to the breed standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers; or
2. Substantially conform to the breed standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers;
3. The standards of the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club referred to herein shall remain on file with the clerk of the city. Technical deficiencies in the dog's conformance to the standards of this definition shall not be construed to indicate that the subject dog is not a pit bull terrier under this division.

It is unlawful for any person to acquire, possess or maintain, within the city any pit bull terrier except for dogs owned prior to April 4, 1990. Penalty: $100 or up to 30 days in jail for every day a pit bull is within the city limits.

Owners of pit bulls already living in Independence have to register and microchip the dog, and the pit bulls must also be spayed or neutered....Owners of pit bulls ... have to carry $300,000 in liability insurance and face stiffer fines and jail time if there is a problem.

1. The bull terrier breed of dog;
2. Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog;
3. The American pit bull terrier breed of dog;
4. The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog;
5. Dogs of mixed breed or other breeds than above listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers;
6. Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier; any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers or a combination of any of these breeds.
7. A pit bull may be identified as any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club as described in the identification checklist which is on file in the City offices. An identification using the above standards shall be prima facie proof and create a rebuttable presumption that a dog is a pit bull."

The owners of any pit bull legally resident within the city must:

• register the dog with the city and provide two identification photographs of the dog to the city
• securely confine the dog, and never tether the dog to an inanimate object
• post warning signs ("Beware of dog – pit bull")
• obtain a $300,000 USD liability insurance policy
• report the death, departure out of the city, or birth of any offspring of the dog
• never sell the dog to anyone in the city unless they are living in the same location as the current owner
• any puppies born of a pit bull must leave the city at six weeks of age.

People owning pit bulls on April 13, 2006 must:

• Register their dog with the city government
• Microchip and spay/neuter the dog.
• Notify the city within 5 days if the dog is lost, stolen, dies, or has a litter.
• Remove any pit bull puppies from the city limits or turn them over to the city to be euthanized
• Post a sign stating "PIT BULL DOG" in two-inch letters at each possible entrance to the owner's property

"To amend sections 955.08, 955.11, 955.22, 955.99, 1901.18, and 1907.031 and to enact sections 955.222 and 955.54 of the Revised Code to

• remove pit bulls from the definition of "vicious dog" in state law,
• establish a process by which owners, keepers, or harborers of dogs that have been designated as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious may appeal that designation,
• define a "nuisance dog,"
• change the definitions of a "dangerous dog" and a "vicious dog,"
• require the owner of a dangerous dog to obtain a dangerous dog registration certificate,
• prohibit certain felons from owning dogs under certain conditions, and
• change the penalties involving ownership of nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs."

"title=Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 955 (Dogs)". State of Ohio. 2012-05-22. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/955.

“Pit bull dog” as used in this section means any dog whose blood line includes that of a Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull or American pit bull terrier, or any other dog whose appearance and characteristics render it identifiable as partially of one or more of such breeds.

(a) No person or organization or corporation shall own, keep, harbor or provide sustenance for more than one dog commonly known as a Pit Bull or Pit Bull mixed breed dog, regardless of age, in the City of Toledo, with the exception of puppies commonly known as Pit Bull or Pit Bull mixed breed for which the owner has filed an ownership acknowledgment form in person with the Dog Warden of Lucas County, prior to reaching seven (7) days of age. The ownership of these puppies must be transferred according to Ohio R.C. 955.11(B) and (D) before they are three (3) months of age. Additionally, this section requires that all dogs commonly known as Pit Bull or Pit Bull mixed breed dogs are required, when off the owners' premises, to be securely confined as described in Ohio R. C. 955.22 and muzzled.

(b) Any Pit Bull which is outside the premises of the dog owner shall be kept on a leash and muzzled until the dog's return to the premises of ownership.

(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. Each day that a violation of this section exists shall constitute a separate offense.

(d) Any Pit Bull or Pit Bull mixed breed dog which has been seized in connection with a violation of this Section may be ordered destroyed or returned to its Owner only on the condition that the dog is first spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.

1. Substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers or
2. Substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American Pit Bull Terriers
3. Technical deficiencies in the dogs conformance to the standards described in subsection one and two shall not be construed to indicate that the subject dog is not a Pit Bull Dog under this ordinance

It shall be unlawful to keep any Pit Bull Dog as defined in this ordinance within the incorporated area of the City of Delta, Utah."

It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the city.

1. Any dog known by the owner to be a Pit Bull Terrier, which shall be defined as any American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog or American Staffordshire Terrier as to be identifiable as partially of such breeds (hereafter a "pit bull dog").
2. Any dog known by the owner to be a Rottweiler breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of Rottweiler as to be identifiable as partially of such breeds (hereafter a "Rottweiler dog").

No one shall keep, possess or harbor a dangerous dog, as defined by Section 6.04.020 within the city.

It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the city of Yakima. Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. The minimum fine for a violation of this section shall be two hundred fifty dollars for the first offense and five hundred dollars for a second or subsequent offense, which fine shall not be suspended or deferred. For purposes of this section, proof of a prior violation shall not require proof that the same pit bull dog is involved. Each day of violation shall be a separate offense.

This not apply to pit bull dogs which: (1) do not reside in the city of Yakima, (2) are brought into the city for the purposes of participating in a dog show or canine sporting event for which the owner is able to show proof of entry, and (3) do not remain in the city of Yakima for a period exceeding ninety-six consecutive hours.

“Canary Dog.” Any canary dog or Perro do Presa Canario, or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element or its breeding, the breed of canary dog or Perro do Presa Canario as to be identifiable as partially of the breed canary dog or Perro de Presa Canario. If there is a question of whether a particular canine fits the definition herein; it will be sufficient to show identification of a canine as either a pure bred or belonging to a mixed breed if a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) would identify the canine as such.

“Pit Bull Terrier.” Any Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier breed or dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, the breed of Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier, as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of Staffordshire bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier. If there is a question of whether a particular canine fits the definition herein; it will be sufficient to show identification of a canine as either a pure bred or belonging to a mixed breed if a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) would identify the canine as such.

“Vicious Dog.” Any dog that, without provocation, meets any of the following requirements:

1. Has killed or caused serious injury to any person;
2. Has caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person or has killed another dog;
3. While off the premises of the owner, bites or causes physical harm to a human being, domestic animal, or feline;
4. While on the premises of the owner or premises under control of the owner, bites or otherwise causes physical harm to mail carriers, utility workers, City of Wheeling employees, delivery persons, or any police or emergency person; or
5. Belongs to the breed that is commonly known as a pit bull terrier, canary dog, and American bull dog. The ownership, keeping or harboring of such a breed of dog shall be prima-facie evidence of the ownership, keeping or harboring of a vicious dog.

Owners of vicious dogs must:

• securely confine their dogs
• leash and muzzle their dogs when the dogs are not confined
• Post "Beware of Dog" signs at entrance points to their property
• Procure $100,000 US in liability insurance
• Spay/neuter the dog
• Notify the government if the dog escapes, or if it bites a person or an animal

No person shall harbor, keep or maintain within the City limits of the City of South Milwaukee any Pit Bull which was not currently registered and licensed by the City of South Milwaukee on or before April 1, 1989. This prohibition shall not be applied to animals being transported through the City limits of the City of South Milwaukee within a one-hour period of time and to dogs exempted under Sec. 174.005 and 174.006.

A pup born to a female Pit Bull licensed and registered pursuant to paragraphs 8(A) and 13 hereof shall be removed from the City of South Milwaukee before the date on which it is required to be licensed pursuant to Chapter 174, Wis. Stats.