What states and cities have laws forbidding or restraining pitbulls?
I am taking a cross country trip from SC to CA with my pitbull and need to know what states and cities have laws or regulations against pitbulls. Especially Co, Nv, and CA. We will be spending most of our time in CA from Redwoods to San Fran, Denver, and the Grand Canyon. Any advise and websites are appreciated. Thanks
16 Responses
Kathy H
30 May 2010
beekiss
30 May 2010
I don’t have a good answer to your question, but I’m so glad that you’ve asked it!!! People ARE scared to death of pitbulls (and for good reason).
If you don’t get any good answers, I’d call your vet and ask him/her for suggestions.
coronaextralime
30 May 2010
I think it depends on each cities ordanances. You might want to call ahead to the cities you plan on visiting and find out ahead of time.
Bill & Diana
30 May 2010
Denver
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4467849/detail.html
Here are some recent municipal laws passed around the country:
http://www.chattacamp.com/2006-Breed%20Specific%20Legislation.html
I’m copying off part of the Denver law here. You can view the entire section of the Denver city code regarding pit bull dogs by going here
http://www.denvergov.org/CityCouncil/template14250.asp
(Click on the link that says "Denver Municipal Code" in the upper middle section of the web page. Then in the upper box under the text, "MUNICODE.COM" put in the words, pit bull. Then click on "Search." You can check out other municipal codes at MUNICODE as well: http://www.municode.com/Resources/online%20Library.asp)
Here’s the part of the Denver law that probably pertains to you:
Sec. 8-55. Pit bulls prohibited.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city any pit bull.
(b) Definitions.
(1) An "owner," for purposes of this chapter, is defined as any person who owns, possesses, keeps, exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports or sells an animal.
(2) A "pit bull," for purposes of this chapter, is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds. The A.K.C. and U.K.C. standards for the above breeds are on file in the office of the clerk and recorder, ex officio clerk of the City and County of Denver, at City Clerk Filing No. 89457.
(3) A "secure temporary enclosure," for purposes of this chapter, is a secure enclosure used for purposes of transporting a pit bull and which includes a top and bottom permanently attached to the sides except for a "door" for removal of the pit bull. Such enclosure must be of such material, and such door closed and secured in such a manner, that the pit bull cannot exit the enclosure on its own.
(c) Exceptions. The prohibition in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply in the following enumerated circumstances. Failure by the owner to comply and remain in compliance with all of the terms of any applicable exception shall subject the pit bull to immediate impoundment and disposal pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, and shall operate to prevent the owner from asserting such exception as a defense in any prosecution under subsection (a).
(1) The owner of a pit bull, who has applied for and received a dog license for such pit bull pursuant to section 8-61 at the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter on or before the date of publication of the ordinance enacting this section 8-55 [August 7, 1989], who has applied for and received a pit bull license in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and who maintains the pit bull at all times in compliance with the put bull license requirements of subsection (d) of this section and all other applicablerequirements of this chapter, may keep a pit bull within the city.
(2) The city’s municipal animal shelter may temporarily harbor and transport any pit bull for purposes of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(3) Any humane society operating an animal shelter which is registered and licensed by the city may temporarily hold any pit bull that it has received or otherwise recovered, but only for so long as it takes to contact the city’s municipal animal shelter and either turn the pit bull over to the municipal animal shelter employees or receive permission to destroy or have destroyed the pit bull pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e).
(4) A person may temporarily transport into and hold in the city a pit bull only for the purpose of showing such pit bull in a place of public exhibition, contest or show sponsored by a dog club association or similar organization. However, the sponsor of the exhibition, contest, or show must receive written permission from the manager, must obtain any other permits or licenses required by city ordinance, and must provide protective measures adequate to prevent pit bulls from escaping or injuring the public. The person who transports and holds a pit bull for showing shall, at all times when the pit bull is being transported within the city to and from the place of exhibition, contest, or show, keep the pit bull confined in a "secure temporary enclosure" as defined in subdivision (b)(3).
(5) Except as provided in subdivision (4), above, the owner of a pit bull may temporarily transport through the city a pit bull only if such owner has obtained a valid transport permit from the manager. Upon request, the manager shall issue such permits only upon a showing by the owner that the pit bull is being transported either from a point outside the city to a destination outside the city, or from a point outside the city to an airport, train station or bus station within the city. In the latter case, suchowner must provide evidence of an intent to send or take the pit bull outside of the city by producing an airline, train or bus ticket, or other equivalent document, showing a departure time within six (6) hours of the time of the transport. At all times when the pit bull is being transported within the city, it must be kept confined in a "secure temporary enclosure" as defined in subdivision (b)(3) of this section. In all cases before issuing a transport permit, the manager must find that the transport would not constitute an unnecessary or undue danger to the public health, welfare or safety, and shall not issue the permit where the manager cannot so find. All transport permits issued shall only be valid for the time, date and pit bull specified on the permit, and shall not be construed to permit any activity otherwise prohibited
*missliss*
30 May 2010
thery are NOT banned in califrnia for the moment…they are thinking anout it thow (i personely think that is stupid i hAVE 2 of my own)…i hope everything turns out ok…good luck!
wolfmusic
30 May 2010
I would check with my homeowner’s insurance carrier. They can probably tell you the most current laws. You might call or email some of the places you plan to stay or visit, such as parks and lodges, ect.
princess_nev75
30 May 2010
I have a boxer and Maltese that both have to have a city tag. I live in McAlester Oklahoma. There is currently no restrictions on dogs, but if the dog has attacked or has a history of being aggressive the judge will make you have it bonded. If he or she is a repeat offender they will order it to be put to sleep. If I had a dog that I was afraid it might become aggressive, I would go ahead and have it bonded to be on the safe side.
Doofer
30 May 2010
Nevada, they say we can’t have purebreds, it’s stupid its the owner not the dog thats bad.
horsefever2003
30 May 2010
detroit
silentpanda,quic
30 May 2010
LOL
karenl0204
30 May 2010
I live in Arkasanas and in some cities here you cann’t have one. We use to have four of them ,and they are very sweet dogs, good luck
darlena88
30 May 2010
Oklahoma allows them
vanilla_icecream
30 May 2010
I have no idea , but I do think that the laws are a little strict .The people who train pittbulls to fight have given them a bad rap.
cashflow_2000
30 May 2010
For what it is worth;
I owned a kennel in San Martin, CA for 11 years. For the first 2 years I allowed pits, after having to deal with those vicious dogs I stopped allowing them in my kennel.
All but one of the pits that I came across was vicious. One of the owners showed how stupid they were in that they argued with me that because I operated a business they could bring one in and I couldn’t say anything about it. Not only did I tell them what they could do I told them what their lousy dog was going to do in the near future, and it did, that vicious mutt ripped the groin out of their mailman. He personally sued them, and because of that breed they lost everything.
jen
30 May 2010
You need to have him or her leashed and get papers from your veterinarian stating current shots. Have a great trip
mhbatd
30 May 2010
this law makes me so mad. The pit bull is a WONDERFUL dog. It’s the Owners who make them out of control. It’s the owner’s responsibility to feed, love and take care of ANY pet. You give your pet love and PROPER training and your pet will be just what you want him/her to be.
Visit the site below, I hope it opens people’s eyes to this Beautiful Dog……
There are some links that show where the Poor pit bull is not wanted, one is canada..
Most people who are scared of pitbulls, have never known one.
Be VERY careful in Colorado. High BSL (breed specific law) state:
Colorado
Aurora-passed BSL
Arvada-current
Golden-current
SB054-doesnt pass
Parker-decides against BSL
Estes Park-decides against BSL
North Glen-decides against BSL
LaJunta-decides against BSL
Lakewood-decides against BSL
Layfayette-decides against BSL
Longmont-decides against BSL
Rocky Ford-decides against BSL
Lone Tree-passed BSL
Castle Rock-BSL
Commerce City-BSL
Ft. Lupton-BSL
Lone Tree-BSL
Louisville-BSL