Pit bulls are great pets, but owning one requires adherence to state laws and regulations.
Owners of pit bulls love their pets, but many people have a major fear of the animal. Isolated incidents of pit bull attacks around the world have prompted many local and regional governments to implement their own regulations regarding the animal, and some countries have banned ownership of pit bulls altogether. The blanket term for such laws is "Breed-specific legislation" or "BSL" for short. The goal is to strictly regulate or completely ban certain dog breeds, pit bulls in particular, in hopes of cutting down on dog attacks. In the United States, the federal government has left the issue of pit bull regulation up to states and localities. In states and localities that have not banned pit bull ownership, the regulations are similar.
Leash Laws
Sturdy leashes and collars are a common pit bull regulation.
Most states and localities in the United States that have not outright banned pit bulls have strict leash laws. If a pit bull is outside at all, an owner leading the dog with a leash is required. An owner has zero control over a loose pit bull, and any sight or distraction that sends the pit bull running, however innocent, can scare people into reporting the animal as dangerous. Durable leashes and collars made with sturdy materials are also part of many pit bull regulation ordinances.
Spay/Neuter Programs
Free or low cost programs are available for pet owners to spay or neuter their pit bulls.
Local governments have begun a push toward mandatory spaying or neutering of pit bulls as a requirement for pit bull ownership. The reasoning behind these ordinances is population and behavioral control. In response to this regulation, programs have popped up all over the country offering free or low-cost spay/neuter programs in a humane setting for pit bulls. The Pit Bull Rescue Central website offers a live, continuously updated list of locations around the U.S. that offer these services.
Dog Licensing
Check to see if your area requires dog licensing before you get a pit bull.
Some governments on both state and local levels have enacted dog-licensing regulations for pit bulls. For example, in Boston, Massachusetts, pit bull owners must pay a $50 fee and meet certain requirements in order to register their pit bull with the city. These requirements include proof of home ownership or a certified, signed letter of permission from a landlord allowing pit bull ownership, a recent photo of both the pit bull and the owner, proof that the pit bull has been spayed or neutered, and proof of rabies vaccination.
Pit Bull Bans
There is heated debate surrounding pit bull bans today.
Some states and localities have banned owning a pit bull altogether. There is much debate surrounding this issue, and many animal rights groups have organized to protest these laws. Some pet owners and organizations have challenged many of the bans in state supreme courts and some have even been overturned.
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