BSL state-by-state

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States with BSL
Over 250 US cities have enacted breed-specific laws, nearly all focus on pit bull type dogs. Cities that reside within states containing a "BSL prohibition" clause have effectively implemented them as well. Courts have found these laws constitutionally sound despite the prohibition clause. Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Rhode Island
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Military Bases


States with constitutionally upheld BSL
State supreme courts, federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, consistently reason that dogs are "property" and can be regulated under "police authority" for the purposes of public safety. Learn more about this topic in Constitutionality. Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
New Mexico
Ohio
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin


International BSL
Many foreign countries have enacted breed-specific laws to protect citizens from pit bulls too, among them: New Zealand, UK, Spain, Italy, France, Romania, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Guyana, Israel, the UAE, parts of Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Australia. Please view the related blog post.
United Kingdom: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Ontario, Canada: Dog Owners’ Liability Act 2005
New Zealand Dog Control Amendment Act 2003
Ireland Dog Control Act of 1998 | Dublin Breen Ban 2007