In 2003, a study conducted by the county on the ban's effectiveness noted that «public safety is not improved as a result of [the ban],» and that «there is no transgression committed by owner or animal that is not covered by another, non-breed specific portion of the Animal Control Code (
i.e., vicious animal, nuisance animal,
leash laws).»
Like dogs, they should be licensed, included in «
leash laws» (
i.e., required to be kept indoors unless accompanied) and, most importantly, spayed or neutered.
Some restrictions that various versions of BSL impose are: - muzzling and
leashing in public - muzzling and
leashing in cars - extra-short
leash lengths - automatic dangerous or vicious dog designation, without any bite history - banning from city parks and beaches where other breeds are allowed - banning from
leash - free parks where other breeds are allowed - banning completely from jurisdiction (although sometimes existing dogs are allowed to stay)- special (
i.e., more expensive) licensing and jurisdiction - wide registry - special tags identifying the dog as a restricted dog - mandatory microchipping and photograph - mandatory insurance (often one million dollars) for each individual dog on the premises - mandatory signage indicating the presence of the dog on the owner's property - mandatory secure enclosures (in some cases, mandatory chaining)- mandatory spay / neuter (to eventually eliminate the breed entirely)- higher fines and / or jail time if a restricted breed bites or menaces - fines and / or jail time for any infraction of any provision regarding restricted breeds - age limit for walking the dog in public - persons with criminal records not allowed to own a restricted breed - ability of
law enforcement to stop owners on the street just to check the dog's status - ability of
law enforcement to seize dogs without proof of wrongdoing - ability of
law enforcement to enter an owner's home, with or without a warrant, to investigate and / or seize a dog