New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial (2024)

WUSF | ByScarlett Cooney - WUFT

PublishedOctober 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM EDT

In 1989, 7-year-old Melissa Moreira underwent facial reconstruction surgery after being severely attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull. Shortly after, Miami-Dade County banned all pit bulls.

At the time, pit bull advocacy organizations across the state mourned. Pit bull foster and adoption groups felt the breed was being unfairly targeted due to some bad apples, said Blanca Carbia, treasurer of Plenty of Pit Bulls in Gainesville.

Now, for the first time in 34 years, pit bulls are once again legal in all of Florida.

On Oct. 1, House Bill 941 went into effect in Florida, prohibiting governmental public housing authorities from banning dogs based on their breed, weight or size. The law also overturned remaining breed bans by local governments.

There are mixed feelings about this law, giving some hope while others call for strict breed bans. Pit bulls and pit bull mixes were responsible for the deaths of 37 Americans in 2021, which makes them the subject of great controversy.

One organization hoping to benefit from the new law is Plenty of Pit Bulls, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the rescue, recovery and rehabilitation of the breed. Members rescue pit bulls from shelters and place them with fosters, with the end goal of getting them adopted.

Veema Jhagru, a member of Plenty of Pit Bulls, said she sees this law as a stepping stone for progress.

“Hopefully it leads to broader change because decreasing the stigma is necessary,” Jhagru said.

Jhagru, a fifth-year student at the University of Florida, has been involved with the organization for three years. She has been fostering Benji, a 10-year-old pit bull, for almost two years.

Jhagru found Benji in Orlando and said he wasn’t supposed to make it past Dec. 31, 2021. When she was given the report from the shelter, she found out Benji had been abused. She said someone saw him tied up in someone’s yard day after day.

“He had a big tumor on his neck,” Jhagru said. “That’s how tight the rope was around his neck.”

According to the World Animal Foundation, pit bulls are the most abused dogs in the world. The foundation also lists that approximately 6% of all dogs in shelters across the United States are pit bulls and that around one million pit bulls are euthanized each year.

In her three years as a foster, Jhagru said she and her family have experienced breed bias. Her parents, residents of Pompano Beach, adopted a dog through Plenty of Pit Bulls. Jhagru said that in certain neighborhoods, some people will cross the street to avoid their dog.

“They just have such a bad stigma,” Jhagru said.

She added that she hopes the new law will eliminate that stigma.

The treasurer of Plenty of Pit Bulls said she feels this law will also aid in their mission to find these dogs their “forever homes.”

Blanca Carbia has been involved with Plenty of Pit Bulls since its inception in 2013. In her 10 years with the organization, she has seen it grow. What once started as a $10,000 budget has now grown to a $40,000 budget for an organization that fosters around 75 dogs per year.

Carbia has fostered a few dogs here and there but never had one for an extended period. That is until Chopper came along.

She has been fostering Chopper, a pit bull, for almost one and a half years. Chopper came to the organization from a Jacksonville shelter. He had what is known as a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), which is a hole in the main artery of the heart, the aorta. Ever since it’s been fixed, Carbia said, he’s been a ball of energy.

New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial (2)

Scarlett Cooney

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WUFT News

In her experience fostering Chopper and other dogs, Carbia said she has encountered breed bias many times. She also mentioned that she thinks breed-based bans make no sense and that they rarely work.

“It has to do with temperament. It has to do with responsible ownership,” Carbia said. “It has to do with all that stuff that has nothing to do with the breed of the dog.”

But not everyone would agree with Carbia. Various organizations are discouraged by this decision and advocate for breed bans, including DogsBite.org.

According to its website, DogsBite.org is the primary organization dedicated to prioritizing the safety of humans over the safety of dogs. It aims to spread information about what they recognize as dangerous dog breeds, primarily pit bulls.

The organization says 433 people were killed by dogs between 2005 and 2017. Almost 66% were killed by pit bulls.

New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial (3)

Scarlet Cooney

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Statista.com

DogsBite.org did not respond to a request for a comment but writes on their website that they think a breed ban is the most proactive form of policy regarding pit bulls.

It cites that over 900 U.S. cities and many public housing authorities have breed-specific restrictions. Some of these restrictions include mandatory sterilization and strict containment rules.

Overall, this new law has only highlighted how divisive certain breeds are. While some wish breed-based bans were still legal, others hope the stigma toward pit bulls will decrease.

“He’s a sweetie,” Jhagru said. “He keeps me safe.”

New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial (2024)

FAQs

New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial? ›

On October 1, 2023, House Bill 941 went into effect in Florida and prohibited any governmental public housing authorities in the state from banning dogs based on their breed, size, or weight. This law changed the ability of local governments to implement bans on specific dog breeds.

What is the new law about pitbulls in Florida? ›

Now, for the first time in 34 years, pit bulls are once again legal in all of Florida. On Oct. 1, House Bill 941 went into effect in Florida, prohibiting governmental public housing authorities from banning dogs based on their breed, weight or size. The law also overturned remaining breed bans by local governments.

What is the new law for dogs in Florida? ›

Florida adopted a new dangerous dog law that went into effect on October 1, 2023. This new law prevents local governments and public housing authorities from adopting policies or ordinances that designate a dog as dangerous based solely on its breed, size, or weight.

What are the arguments for banning pit bulls? ›

Argument in support of breed bans

They see the pit bull as overly dangerous and overly abused by mankind. The danger of pit bulls and Rottweilers is well established, in that they account for 75% of all reported canine-inflicted human deaths in the past two decades.

In what states are pitbulls illegal? ›

There are no US states where Pit Bulls are banned from the entire state, but many cities have breed bans that prohibit Pit Bulls and other breeds considered dangerous. If you have or are considering getting a Pit Bull, it is important to research your area's laws to make sure that you won't lose your dog.

What happens if a pitbull bites someone in Florida? ›

Florida law says that owners can be held liable for bite injuries "regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners' knowledge of such viciousness." This rule makes Florida a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, separating it from states that use a so-called "one-bite" rule.

Can HOA ban pit bulls? ›

An HOA can enforce pet limits in the community. Your HOA dog rules can have limitations on breed, the number of pets, and maximum size or weight. For example, if the community is comprised of families with a lot of young children, you might want to prohibit dangerous dog breeds, such as pit bulls and rottweilers.

How many dogs can one person own in Florida? ›

Download Table Data
StateAdditional Details
FloridaNo statewide law but urban areas typically restrict the number of dogs to 2-3 per household.
HawaiiNo limit.
IdahoNo statewide law, but some cities will limit you to 2-4 dogs.
IllinoisNo statewide law but urban areas typically restrict the number of dogs to 4 per household.
47 more rows

Is it legal to leave a dog outside all day in Florida? ›

The law requires that your dog has access to “proper” shelter at all times! Just as you would not like to be exposed to the rain or hot sun neither does your dog! Be sure your dog has a comfortable, weather-resistant house to protect him from the elements.

Are pitbull dogs illegal? ›

These dogs are dangerous because they were originally bred for their ability to fight. Some common Pit Bull type names are: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire, Irish Staff, Irish Blue Staffordshire. These dangerous dogs are prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).

Why are pitbulls so controversial? ›

Pit bull–type dogs have a controversial reputation as pets internationally, due to their history in dog fighting, the number of high-profile attacks documented in the media over decades, and their proclivity to latching on while biting.

Is it bad to own a pitbull? ›

Its a well known fact - Well managed, responsibly owned Pit Bulls are some of the best family dogs. The American Canine Temperament Test Society lists this breed as having one of the most stable temperaments of any of the purebreds, right up there with golden retrievers.

Can you own a pitbull in Florida? ›

If you're a fan of the breed and live in Florida, you may be wondering if it's legal to own one in the Sunshine State. Generally, yes, it's legal to own a Pitbull in Florida.

What is the new pitbull law? ›

The change stops local governments like counties, cities and municipalities from banning specific breeds, including German shepherds or pit bulls. Banning dogs because of their size or weight is out of the picture, too. Jan Steele with Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control said this is a small step forward.

Are pitbulls good with kids? ›

While Pit Bulls are not good guard dogs because they just love people so much, they may intercede if someone threatens "their" humans. Pit Bulls are great with children. Pit Bulls are a loyal, people-oriented breed that thrive as part of the family. They are affectionate with both adults and children.

What counties in Florida are pit bulls banned in? ›

Miami-Dade is the only county in Florida to ban Pitbulls. The ban started in 1989 when a Pitbull attacked a 7-year-old girl named Melissa Moreira while she was helping unload groceries. After the attack, owning, keeping, or harboring a Pitbull within the county limits became illegal.

What are the rules for owning a pitbull? ›

California law does not set specific requirements for owners of pit bulls. The law establishes restrictions for “potentially dangerous” or “vicious” dogs as defined in the law (see below), based on the individual dog's conduct (Cal. Food & Agric. Code.

What is the Pitbull ban Act? ›

Is it Legal to Own a Pitbull in California? In California, there is no statewide ban on Pitbulls, which means owning a Pitbull is generally legal.

Can a pitbull be an emotional support animal in Florida? ›

Pit Bulls can be wonderful emotional support dogs and if they do not cause a disturbance or any damages they must be accepted by your landlord as an ESA. Your dog must be well behaved and be under your control to qualify as an emotional support animal.

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