Breed Specific Legislation

About

Breed specific legislation, according to the ASPCA, is “the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals.” In other words, it is the practice of regulating dog breeds perceived as more aggressive. Pit bulls and similar looking breeds are often the targets of BSL. For example, Reynoldsburg bans all residents from owning pit bulls, while Akron requires pit bulls to wear bright green collars and post a warning sign on their property, among other restrictions.

While the city of Columbus does not have any breed specific legislation, individual landlords may restrict dogs by breed or size. Be sure to confirm the pet policies of any landlords you are considering and check the local laws if you live outside of Columbus.

  • Definition by the ASPCABreed-specific legislation (BSL) is the blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals.