DOGSBITE.ORG – Jurisdictions in at least 84 countries regulate dangerous dog breeds, of which 99% include pit bull breeds, 89% mastiff/fighting breeds, 45% rottweiler breed, 35% pinscher breeds, 32% northern/spitz breeds, and 26% livestock guardian breeds.
The estimated combined population of these countries is 4.99 billion. Notably, at least 21% (18) of countries, mainly in Northern Europe and parts of Asia, have adopted a new national-level breed restriction or strengthened an existing one since the pandemic.
Of the 84 countries, 21% (18) are dependencies to varying degrees, such as an autonomous country, dependent territory, or special administrative region of a sovereign state.
Some share or adhere to the dangerous dog law of the sovereign state. The population of the 18 dependencies makes up 2% of the population of the 84 countries combined. The most populated dependencies are tied to the United Kingdom and China. All 18 dependencies have a national-level law that restricts pit bull breeds.
National-Level Law Analysis
Restricting our analysis to the 74 countries with a national-level breed restriction law allows for richer findings because data for the country population, the affected population, is known.
At least 74 countries have a national-level law that regulates dangerous dog breeds, ranging from banning the importation of certain dog breeds to restricting or prohibiting their ownership.
Of these national-level laws, 100% target pit bull breeds, 91% mastiff/fighting breeds, 41% rottweiler breed, 32% pinscher breeds, 31% northern/spitz breeds, and 26% livestock guardian breeds. The estimated number of people residing in countries governed by these national laws is approximately 2.7 billion.
Most countries with a national-level law, 91%, restrict both pit bull and mastiff/fighting breeds; 38% restrict the top three breed-types: pit bull, mastiff and rottweiler.
Countries that restrict livestock guardian breeds mainly reside in Europe and Asia, specifically Eastern Europe, Western Asia and Southern Asia.
These regions surround Central Asia (countries ending in “stan”), which is where a variety of fierce livestock guardian breeds, still used in the blood sport of dogfighting, originate …
OUR VIEW
HEADLINE HEALTH recommends consideration of the following:
- Overwhelming increases in dog license fees for intact [non-neutered] dogs of dangerous breeds [such as $5,000 per animal per year]
- Banning of dangerous breeds from dog parks, “dog-friendly” restaurants and hotels, and any home or other residential building with a resident under age 18 or over age 65.
- Banning of dangerous breeds as service animals and so-called “emotional support animals”
- Banning of “no-kill” shelters, which are forced to adopt out dangerous animals to an unknowing public in order to comply with their “no-kill” policy
- Overwhelmingly large kennel license fees [such as $10,000 per year] for anyone selling a dangerous breed puppy for more than $50, or puppies from more than one litter per year
- Proceeds of license fees should benefit dog bite victims, dangerous breed education, and animal shelters
- Property forfeiture for anyone operating an unlicensed kennel for dangerous breed dogs
- Muzzling and leashing of all dangerous breed dogs when off their owners’ properties
- Forfeiture [rather than a fine] for any loose, unlicensed, or unmuzzled dangerous breed dog
- K-12 health education should teach children the dangers of pit bulls and similar breeds
- Police authorized to shoot off-leash and unmuzzled pit bulls and similar breeds on sight
