Breed Specific Legislation Why it Affects YOU BreedSpecific

Breed Specific Legislation Why it Affects YOU

Breed-Specific Restrictions usually require n n n 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 n n 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? n n 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?

Wh ere has BS L bee n ena cte d?

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 Centerville Coutier Council Bluffs Dallas Center Donnellson Des Moines Epworth Fairfax Hiawatha Ida Grove La. Port 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 American Staffordshire Terrier Akita American Bulldog Boerboels Chow Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro Great Dane Presa Mallorquin Rottweiler Shar Pei Tosa Inu Staffordshire Bull Terrier Alaskan Malamute Belgian Malinois Cane Corso Doberman Pinscher English Mastiff German Shepherd Irish Wolfhound Presa Canario Scottish Deerhound Siberian Husky 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!

Irish 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! • 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 l Set up a phone tree to contact local dog club members l Attend public meetings and be prepared to speak l Split a list of points between several people when making timed speeches l Keep each other informed on meeting times and new developments l Always be polite, professional and knowledgeable l Remember, whatever you do or say represents many dog owners

Organize! Contact: l National and local dog clubs l Training clubs & professional trainers l Hunters & sportsmen who use dogs l Breed rescues & private shelters l Volunteers in therapy or SAR work l Veterinarians & groomers

Start a Petition Drive! l Get requirements from the County Clerk l Get a list of voters from a friendly politician l Only allow registered voters to sign l Make sure people know to sign only once l Get volunteers to take petitions everywhere people gather

Be Heard! l Send e-mails, letters and faxes stating your position against BSL to your representative l Call sponsors of BSL proposals l Contact Committee members who will decide the fate of BSL l Contact Council Members and determine their positions

Be Seen! l Attend Council meetings where BSL will be discussed l Agree to wear ribbons or t-shirts that identify you as foes of BSL l Use bumper stickers or ribbon magnets for a visual message on the street

Prepare for the Worst l Plan fundraisers for legal fees l Contact national organizations that might help in court l Get recommendations for an attorney experienced in dog law

Hold Elected Leaders Accountable l Learn the laws concerning recall electionsand use them if bad laws are passed! l Vocally support dog-friendly lawmakers, volunteer for their campaigns and help keep them in office! l Vocally oppose those who vote for laws that hurt our dogs!

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.