Resources
Sources used to inform this page:
A.B.A Res. 100 https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/mental_physical_disability/Resolution_100.authcheckdam.pdf
This resolution was adopted by the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. It states that their position on breed-specific legislation is that it is ineffective and infringes on owners’ due process rights. They therefore recommend the implementation of “comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous dog/reckless owner laws.”
Aliment, R. J. (2012, Aug) American Bar Association Resolution 100, American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/mental_physical_disability/Resolution_100.authcheckdam.pdf
This report explains the American Bar Association’s stance on breed-specific policies as adopted in Resolution 100.
American Kennel Club (2014, Apr 4, “Dangerous Dog” Control Legislation) Summary Position Statements, http://cdn.akc.org/Government_Relations/Updated_April_2016_GDLGB2.pdf?_ga=1.11712116.1391756025.1467142082
This is a statement by the American Kennel Club regarding their position on the use of breed-specific policies. They clearly state that they are opposed and recommend that “reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws” be used to regulate pet ownership.
American Kennel Club (n.d.) Breed Specific Legislation, http://images.akc.org/pdf/canine_legislation/toolbox_bsl.pdf?_ga=1.242915650.1391756025.1467142082
The American Kennel Club, a highly recognized and reputable source of information regarding canine matters, composed this statement regarding breed-specific legislation. It address the possible issues that could arise regarding these policies, both for pet owners and the communities affected. Additionally, it provides other breed-neutral policies that focus on education and responsible pet ownership rather than phenotypic targeting.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. (2014). Position Statement on Breed-Specific Legislation, https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Breed-Specific_Legislation-download-_8-18-14.pdf
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), a reputable organization of veterinary professionals and researchers, released this position statement on breed-specific legislation. They explain what breed-specific legislation consists, explain the behavioral science behind violent dog-human interactions, and use studies of different breed-specific policies to show that they are not an effective approach to reducing aggressive dog interactions. They also provide data on means that have been shown to be effective in this goal.
Beaver, B. V. et al. (2001, Jun 1) A community approach to dog bite prevention. Veterinary Medicine Today: Canine Aggression Task Force. 218(11) https://www.avma.org/public/Health/Documents/dogbite.pdf
This is a report by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions. The report seeks to address the issue of dog bites in an effective and accurate matter. By addressing the difficulties inherent in dog bite statistics and breed identification, the report explains that breed bans are ineffective animal control laws. Additionally, the report addresses the potential unconstitutionality of these policies as they can be seen as infringing on a pet owner’s fourteenth amendment rights to equal protection and due process.
Creedon, N., & Osuilleabhain, P. (n.d.). Dog bite injuries to humans and the use of breed-specific legislation: a comparison of bites from legislated and non-legislated dog breeds. Irish Veterinary Journal, 70(1), 1–9. doi:10.1186/s13620-017-0101-1
This study examines the characteristics of dog bite incidents in Ireland, an issue that was increasing at the time of the study, and how breed-specific legislation affects them. The authors, Nanci Creedon and Páraic S. Ó Súilleabháin, each work at universities in Ireland. Creedon works in the Department of Dog Behaviour at Creedons College and Ó Súilleabháin works in the School of Psychology at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Ó Súilleabháin works in non-financial advocacy to lobby evidence based animal policies, which could create a potential bias. However, it is noted that neither Ó Súilleabháin nor Creedon has no relationships that would create bias in their work. The study found that breed-specific legislation had a detrimental effect on dog bite incidences as it perpetuated false narratives about which breeds were safe and which were dangerous, thus inhibiting individuals’ ability to appropriately gauge threats. Additionally, it created biases in how bites were to reported to authorities.
Mora, E., Fonseca, G., Navarro, P., Castaño, A., & Lucena, J. (2018). Fatal dog attacks in Spain under a breed-specific legislation: A ten-year retrospective study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 25, 76–84. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2018.03.011
This is a longitudinal retrospective study of fatal dog attacks in Spain since the implementation of breed-specific policies in search or more effective prevention strategies. It is an exploratory study as the subject of fatal dog bites had not been previously examined in Spain. The authors suggest a more comprehensive approach to dog-bite prevention according to specific factors present in different areas.
National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) (2016, 23 Feb, Extended Animal Care & Control Concerns – Dangerous/Vicious Animals) NACA Guidelines, p. 29-31 https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.nacanet.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/NACA_Guidelines.pdf?hhSearchTerms=%22%22breed+specific+legislation%22%22
The National Animal Care and Control Association included a portion of their guidelines publication book addressing dangerous/vicious animal laws. In this specific guideline, they state that policies regarding dangerous animals should rely on the behavior of individuals, not on breed. It also explains that breed-specific policies are difficult to enforce from an animal care and control professional’s position and can be burdensome to owners who have proven to be responsible.
Ott, S., Schalke, E., Von Gaertner, A., & Hackbarth, H. (2008). Is there a difference? Comparison of golden retrievers and dogs affected by breed-specific legislation regarding aggressive behavior. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 3(3), 134–140. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2007.09.009
This study from the Institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Hanover, Germany examines the differences in temperament tests of breeds identified as dangerous by their breed-specific legislation and golden retrievers, a breed widely regarded as “safe” breed.
Pratt, H. (n.d.). Canine profiling: does breed-specific legislation take a bite out of canine crime. Penn State Law Review, 108(3), 855–879.
This source is a review of both the constitutionality and efficacy of breed-specific legislation. It comprehensively examines breed-specific legislation by exploring the history of dog domestication and the human-dog relationship, looking at breed-specific policies through a constitutional lense, examining recent laws and corporate policies, and suggesting alternatives.
The County Code, Prince George’s County, Md. §3-185.01 (1997)
This ordinance was adopted by the Prince George’s County legislative body in 1997. This policy bans the ownership of “pit bull terriers” in Prince George’s County and establishes criminal sanctions for those who do not comply.
Werkheiser, I. (2015). Fighting Nature: An Analysis and Critique of Breed- Specific Flourishing Arguments for Dog Fights. Society & Animals, 23(5), 502–520. doi:10.1163/15685306-12341375
This article, published in the Journal of Human-Animal Studies, explores flourishing, or the ideas that some breeds are born to fight and therefore being in dog fights is a “flourishing life” for them and they are fulfilled.
Organizations
A local organization primarily focused on getting the breed-specific legislation in Prince George’s County repealed.
An organization developing a pit bull friendly housing database as well as other information/activism in the area of bully breeds and housing. It is relatively new and volunteer based.