Banned Dog Breeds by State in America

In the United States, laws regarding dog breeds vary from state to state. Some states have banned certain breeds due to concerns over public safety.

Hawaii is one of the states with a breed-specific law, prohibiting the ownership of pit bull-type dogs.

Connecticut, on the other hand, has banned the ownership of dogs with a certain physical characteristic, specifically those with a weight of 85 pounds or more and a short, smooth coat.

Some states, like Illinois, have specific requirements for owners of banned breeds, including liability insurance and registration.

Take a look at this: Most Popular Dogs Breeds in the Us

California, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Florida are states that prohibit Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) or breed-discrimination.

These states are a great place to live if you're a dog owner with a pit bull. They don't have any BSL laws being enforced, which means you and your dog can live there without worrying about unfair restrictions.

Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and Virginia are also states that don't have BSL laws being enforced or prohibit BSL altogether.

Iowa is the worst state for pit bull owners, with over 90 municipalities that have BSL laws. Kentucky is another state with many municipalities that have banned pit bulls.

The Centre in India has identified 23 breeds of dogs, including pit bull terrier, as ferocious and dangerous for human lives. These breeds are being considered for a ban in the country.

If you're planning to move to a new state, it's essential to check if the city you're moving to has BSL laws. You might be able to move to a BSL state and avoid the unfriendly municipalities that have banned pit bulls.

As of December 2018, 52 countries have some form of breed-specific legislation, with 41 countries having BSL at the national level.

Fifty-two countries have BSL, with 41 of those having it at the national level.

BSL restricts the ownership, breeding, and sale of certain breeds, including the Akita, Australian Cattle Dog, and Rottweiler.

Restricted breeds may be imported or kept once specific conditions are met, but new acquisitions require pre-approval and breeding is only allowed with a Breeder's permit.

The Canadian federal government does not regulate pit bull-type dogs, but some provinces and municipalities have enacted breed-specific legislation.

The following table lists some of the restrictions in place:

Approximately 550 jurisdictions in the United States have enacted breed-specific legislation in response to well-publicized incidents involving pit bull-type dogs.

These actions often establish a legal presumption that a pit bull-type dog is prima facie a legally "dangerous" or "vicious" dog.

In response, 16 states in the U.S. prohibited or restricted the ability of municipal governments within those states to enact BSL, though these restrictions do not affect military installations located within the states.

The effectiveness of breed-specific legislation in preventing dog bite fatalities and injuries is disputed, with some arguing that it's a better solution than comprehensive "dog bite" legislation.

Some governments, like Australia, have taken a different approach by forbidding the import of specific breeds and requiring existing dogs to be spayed/neutered to slowly eliminate the population.

Jurisdictions in the United States and Canada have the right to enact breed-specific legislation, but its appropriateness and effectiveness are still debated.

In the United States, there are no banned dog breeds at the federal level. However, over 1,000 cities or towns have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL) which can limit ownership, require spaying or neutering, and even lead to confiscation or euthanasia in some cases.

Pit Bulls are the most frequently targeted breed in the US, facing bans or restrictions in over 20 states. They are often mistakenly referred to as a single breed, but actually encompass various breeds like American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Rottweilers are also subject to legislation in several states, including Alabama and Alaska. These robust dogs require early socialization and ample exercise, but are often unfairly targeted due to irresponsible breeding practices.

Before traveling to the US with your dog, it's essential to research the specific regulations of the state and city you plan to visit. You can reach out to local animal control or authorities to get up-to-date information on any existing restrictions.