Breed Specific Laws

In recent years many cities, counties, states, and provincial governments have enacted legislation known as Breed-Specific Laws. Most people mistakenly believe that these laws apply only to Pit Bulls, and during a vacation is not the time to find yourself on the wrong side of the requirements! GoPetFriendly.com is hoping to encourage more people with travel with their pets, so we want you to understand the breadth of these laws.

Breed-Specific Laws vary greatly by jurisdiction and restricted breeds include Akitas, American Bulldogs, Chows, German Shepherds, Huskies, Mastiffs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Rottweilers, Shar-Pei, and MANY others. In addition, some statutes include very broad language, restricting mixes of any of the targeted breeds, and dogs that look like the targeted breeds.

The restrictions imposed also differ significantly from place to place, and include requirements that restricted breeds be muzzled when in public, liability insurance requirements for owners, and actual banning from the municipality entirely. Penalties for non-compliance range from fines, to jail, to the confiscation and execution of the dog.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid any possible conflicts while you are traveling:

• Check the following websites for maps of the localities with Breed-Specific laws and to determine which breeds are restricted:
  • www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Locations/USLocations.htm
  • www.understand-a-bull.com/BSL/Locations/Canada/CanadianLocations.htm
  • www.rott-n-chatter.com/rottweilers/laws/breedspecific.html
  • www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org/laws.html
• If you will be traveling to, or will be stopping in, a jurisdiction with a breed specific law, call the local animal control office to get the most current information about the restrictions and requirements.
• Remember that these websites may not be completely current as the laws are changing constantly, so plan for the unexpected. If your dog is an affected breed, or could be mistaken for one, always be prepared to comply with muzzle, leash and proof of insurance requirements.
• If you find that you have inadvertently violated a breed-specific law, be polite and do your best to bring yourself and your dog into compliance – even if that means immediately leaving the jurisdiction.

We believe that enacting aggressive dog laws that are not biased toward a specific breed results in more enforceability and less prejudice. We are particularly opposed any law resulting in the confiscation and execution of a dog that has done no harm.