Eighth Circuit Court Fails to Protect Dog Owners’ Rights

Author nicole.juchem Posted on January 20, 2023April 21, 2023Categories News

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to protect the constitutional rights of dog-owning citizens of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The court decided not to reconsider en banc the summary judgment granted to the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the suit challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance prohibiting “pit bulls.” The court’s rejection of constitutional rights, as well as the scientific advances at the broad institute, lays a foundation for seizing innocent pet dogs.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to protect the constitutional rights of dog-owning citizens of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The court decided not to reconsider en banc the summary judgment granted to the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the suit challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance prohibiting “pit bulls.” The court’s rejection of constitutional rights, as well as the scientific advances at the broad institute, lays a foundation for seizing innocent pet dogs.

“What kind of dog is that?” Asking the wrong question and answering it badly

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on August 7, 2019April 4, 2023Categories News, Research & PublicationsTags ,

Our review has revealed no findings of breed based behavioral differences that successfully overcome all the difficulties presented by this question.

Our review has revealed no findings of breed based behavioral differences that successfully overcome all the difficulties presented by this question.

Breed-specific legislation on the decline

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on June 25, 2014March 18, 2021Categories News, Research & PublicationsTags ,

  Breed-Specific Legislation on the Decline : 5 more states no longer allow BSL & more than 7x as many U.S. Municipalities repealed or rejected proposed BSL, than enacted it between: January 2012 – May 2014. The national trend is moving steadily away from breed-specific legislation (BSL) and toward breed neutral laws that hold all owners equally accountable for the humane care, custody and control of their dogs. The list of states that are considering and passing legislation to preempt municipalities from … Continue reading “Breed-specific legislation on the decline”

Breed-specific legislation in Australia: a cruel mandate imposes big costs

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on May 16, 2014March 18, 2021Categories News

The City of Monash has spent almost $100,000 defending itself in court cases involving dogs targeted by the breed-specific provisions of Australia’s Domestic Animals Act. Cardinia, a suburb of Melbourne, spent $80,000 on a single case involving a dog that the court later determined should not have been taken. The dog was returned to its owner.[1] Whatever their views of dogs and policies that improve community safety, Monash, Cardinia, and other communities have seen their tax dollars wasted on court … Continue reading “Breed-specific legislation in Australia: a cruel mandate imposes big costs”

Maryland General Assembly Says No to Dog Owner Discrimination, Passes Effective Breed Neutral Liability

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on April 4, 2014March 18, 2021Categories News

On April 3, 2014, the Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval to breed neutral dog bite liability legislation that would abrogate the 2012 Court of Appeals ruling in Tracey v. Solesky, which imposed “breed”-specific liability on dog owners, custodians, and landlords. From the beginning, Maryland residents and lawmakers have been in agreement that the Tracey v. Solesky ruling was not acceptable, but the House and the Senate disagreed on the appropriate standard for dog owner liability. This legislation, SB 247 … Continue reading “Maryland General Assembly Says No to Dog Owner Discrimination, Passes Effective Breed Neutral Liability”

South Dakota and Utah to be the 17th and 18th states to preempt breed-specific legislation.

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on March 17, 2014May 31, 2022Categories News, Uncategorized

South Dakota has passed a bill to protect pets and people by preventing local governments from enacting legislation that regulates dog ownership based on a dog’s breed or breed mix. Governor Dennis Daugaard signed the bill on March 14, 2014[1]. The bill, SB 75[2], states that: No local government, as defined in § 6-1-12, may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance, policy, resolution, or other enactment that is specific as to the breed or perceived breed of a dog. This … Continue reading “South Dakota and Utah to be the 17th and 18th states to preempt breed-specific legislation.”

Obama Administration opposes breed specific legislation (BSL)

Author National Canine Research Council Posted on August 20, 2013March 18, 2021Categories News

In an unprecedented initiative, the White House released a statement announcing that the Obama Administration does not support breed-specific legislation (BSL). The statement was a response to an anti-BSL petition created in December 2012, which quickly garnered more than 30,000 pet-loving signatures. Referring to the position taken more than a decade ago by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the White House reminded readers that “research shows that bans on certain types of … Continue reading “Obama Administration opposes breed specific legislation (BSL)”