Breed Specific Legislation is Ineffective

October 21, 2026

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) restricts or prohibits the ownership of a specific breed or type of dog, most commonly pit bulls and pit-type breeds, with the assumption that these dogs are “dangerous” or more likely to bite.

While the stated purpose of this legislation is to decrease dog bites and increase public safety, there is little evidence that BSL is an effective tool for accomplishing these goals.

Dog bites are a serious public safety concern, especially for children.

An estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur across the US each year, with about 20% requiring medical attention. (1)

While children and adults are roughly equally likely to be bitten by a dog, children are more likely to require medical care, as they are more likely to receive serious wounds, especially to the face and neck. (2, 3)

Approximately 80% of dog bites occur in non-public spaces and are delivered by a dog known to the victim. (4)

Are pit-type dogs actually more likely to bite than other breeds?

Pit-type dogs (which may include American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bullies, and any number of mixed-breed dogs) are often perceived as more likely to be aggressive or to bite than other breeds. Evidence does not support this perception, but this perception does influence the way that dog bites are interpreted and reported.

After a bite incident, pit-type dogs (and other breeds who are more likely to be labeled as “aggressive” or targeted by legislation) are more likely to be reported to authorities than dogs of other breeds. When other breeds bite, they are more likely to be labeled as “fearful” or guarding a resource than pit-type breeds, who are more likely to be labeled as “angry.” (5)

Dogs of unknown breed or mix who bite may also be more likely to be labelled as a pit bull due to the perception that pit-type dogs are more likely to bite.

Pit-type dogs are rumored to have “locking jaws,” but this is untrue. All dogs have the same general jaw structure, and no dog has a physical mechanism that allows the jaw to lock. (6)

In general, a dog’s size is the biggest contributor to the strength of his bite; the larger the dog, the stronger the bite. (7) Bites from pit-type dogs are no more likely to require medical treatment than similarly-sized dogs of other breeds. (5)

The studies aren’t as “mixed” as the internet may lead you to believe.

While it’s true that a small number of studies have found a reduction of dog bites after the introduction of BSL in specific jurisdictions, these studies tend to lack the statistical analysis needed to draw an accurate conclusion.

Studies and systematic reviews that compare legislated breeds against a control of non-legislated breeds, trends in other areas of enforcement before and after the implementation of BSL, and large datasets across multiple communities do not provide evidence that BSL effectively reduce dog bites. (3, 5, 8, 9)

All dogs can bite, so our prevention efforts should consider all dogs.

The most popular breeds are responsible for the highest percentage of bites, simply because they make up a larger percentage of the population. (3, 8)

Targeting a specific breed of dog to reduce the number of dog bites in the community is not an effective strategy, because dog behavior is determined by a huge number of factors: health, socialization, familial genetics, environment, training history, and more. Behavior can vary wildly between individual dogs of the same breed. (8, 10)

Dog bites should be taken seriously, and as both a community and as individuals, we could be doing more to prevent them.

Legislation that addresses containment, such as keeping dogs on leashes in public and reducing roaming, licensing, and improved animal welfare are much more effective at reducing dog bites than BSL (3, 5, 8, 9). This legislation does, however, need to be enforced, which requires resources that not all municipalities are willing or able to provide.

Individually, dog owners can reduce the likelihood that their dog will bite by keeping their dogs leashed or contained on their property (including using things like baby gates to keep dogs separated from children at home); prioritizing socialization, especially for young dogs; abandoning aversive training techniques, which may increase aggressive behavior; and ensuring their dog’s physical and mental wellbeing. (3, 8, 10)

While it’s important to teach children how to safely interact with dogs, educational efforts for adults are more effective in preventing dog bites, as children typically have very little control over their environment (2, 3).

It’s important to note that access to resources is not equitable.

Many people do not have the resources to hire a dog trainer or behaviorist; access vet care, especially for more complex issues like chronic pain, which are known to directly impact behavior; or purchase things like outdoor runs, fencing, or even baby gates.

Community efforts that provide these resources can help bridge the gap, but this is a symptom of much larger socioeconomic and systemic problems.