What It Is

BSL
Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is a law
that bans or restricts certain types of
dogs based on their appearance, usually
because they are perceived as
dangerous breeds.
Why is BSL wrong?
BSL kills millions of dogs around the
world, while causing no significant
decrease in dog bites.
Breeds Commonly Targeted:
Pit Bull (any breed)
BSL has had no significant effect on American Bulldog
the number of dog bites. Wolf-Hybrid
Akita
BSL is extremely costly. In Prince
Alaskan Malamute
Georges County, Maryland, they
Bull Mastiff
found that the cost to confiscate and
Doberman Pinscher
euthanize a single pit bull was around
German Shepherd
$68,000.

BSL punishes responsible dog

Rottweiler
And Many More
BREED
owners.
German Shepherd
SPECIFIC
BSL kills dogs.

LEGISLATION
BSL does nothing to make
Dobe
irresponsible dog owners
accountable.

Not a single canine welfare 75% of shelters euthanize

organization supports BSL.
pit bulls immediately
Jeremiah Bott
upon intake, without any
chance at adoption.
 Why are dogs aggressive?
A variety of factors may affect a dog's
tendency towards aggression; these
include heredity, early experience,
socialization, training, and reproductive
status. Non-neutered males make up
80% of all dogs presented to veterinary
clinics as "aggressive."

Rottweiler

1.2 million dogs are The American Society for the

euthanized annually, prevention of cruelty to
animals (ASPCA):
approximately 40% of whom
are Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls have a "It is, therefore, the ASPCAs position to
93% euthanasia rate as a oppose any state or local law to regulate
Akita
or ban dogs based on breed. The ASPCA
From the Humane Society to the
result of BSL. recognizes that dangerous dogs pose a
American Society for the Prevention of community problem requiring serious
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there is not a attention. However, in light of the
single organization that agrees with BSL. absence of scientific data indicating the
How you can help: efficacy of breed-specific laws, and the
Breed specific legislation is based on the Educate yourself, friends, and unfair and inhumane targeting of
assumption that the breed or the family on BSL. responsible pet guardians and their dogs
appearance determine a dogs behavior. Teach kids about safety around that inevitably results when these laws
This is entirely false, as a dogs behavior dogs. are enacted, the ASPCA instead favors
has much more do to with how they Train and socialize your dogs effective enforcement of a combination
were raised and treated since birth. This Learn about dog behavior of breed-neutral laws that hold reckless
causes responsible dog owners to be Support your local shelters dog guardians accountable for their
punished because of irresponsible dog dogs aggressive behavior."
owners.