Voters Reject bans Against Pitbulls

A 2022 study found that 70% of Americans oppose breed-specific legislation (BSL) that bans specific dog breeds, aligning with recent votes repealing bans against dogs labeled as 'pitbulls.' Notably, in 2020, Denver, CO, residents voted with a 66% majority to repeal the city's 31-year ban on pitbulls. In 2018, voters in Springfield, MO, repealed the city's ban on pitbulls with a 68% majority after the City Council enacted the misconceived ban less than a year earlier. These results mark a decisive victory against breed discrimination and ineffective policies, signaling a broader national movement away from BSL. While the results of these votes are a decisive win against breed discrimination, ineffective policies, and junk science — they also validate a growing national trend against all forms of BSL that arbitrarily targets great dogs and responsible owners based solely on the dog's appearance or assumed breed, regardless of responsible ownership or a dog's behavior. Furthermore, the study also found that the majority of participants understood that breed is a poor predictor of aggression and, therefore, preferred breed-neutral solutions that address factors relevant to public safety, such as irresponsible ownership, a dog's behavior, and stricter leash and dog-at-large laws.

BSL On The Decline 📉

Data, Surveys, Repeals, & Studies

Only 4% (~800÷19,502) of cities and towns in the U.S. have any form of BSL still enacted.

4%

On average, 77% of Americans oppose BSL. A 2022 study revealed that 70% oppose BSL, and a national survey from 2014 indicated that 84% reject any form of BSL.

77%

Since only 2018, over 100 cities and towns in the U.S. have repealed BSL in favor of equitable and more effective breed-neutral regulations, while almost no municipalities enacted new bans in the same period.

100+

In 2020, voters in Denver, CO (pop. ~715K, leans liberal) repealed the city's 31-year ban on pitbulls with a 66% majority.

66%

In 2022, Florida eliminated all forms of BSL in an estimated 40 cities, including Miami. Florida residents and public safety officials widely supported SB-942, and its passage in the Florida House and Senate was nearly unanimous (vote results: 155 Yes / 1 No).

✔

In 2024, voters in Aurora, CO (pop. ~400K, leans liberal) repealed the city's 20-year ban on pitbulls with a 57% majority.

57%

In 2018, Quebec, Canada, rejected a proposed province-wide ban against pitbull-type dogs and Rottweilers.

✔

Numerous studies have determined that BSL is ineffective and that a dog's breed does not determine aggression, bite strength, or propensity to bite.

✔

In 2018, voters in Springfield, MO (pop. ~170K, leans conservative) repealed the city's ban on pitbulls with a 68% majority after the City Council narrowly voted to enact the misconceived ban less than a year earlier.

68%

Science and Public Opinion Do Not Support BSL 🐶

The trend against breed-specific legislation (BSL) and dog bans is clear, with a majority of voters now rejecting these archaic, appearance-based policies in favor of more equitable and effective breed-neutral policies. Breed-neutral approaches are more effective because they address all potentially dangerous dogs, all irresponsible owners, and all unsafe dog-related situations — regardless of a dog's appearance or assumed breed. Numerous studies support this shift, consistently finding BSL to be ineffective, a point underscored by the fact that at least 82 breeds have been implicated in fatal dog attacks in the U.S. since only 2016. Consequently, BSL is increasingly being challenged and repealed where it still, unfortunately, exists. Despite significant progress, much work remains in advocacy, education, and policy reform to entirely eliminate BSL. While there is work to be done, the momentum is decidedly moving away from BSL, supported by a growing consensus of citizens and voters standing up against BSL's ineffective, inhumane, and discriminatory practices.

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Last Updated

11/14/2024

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