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

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.”

Copyright 2023 WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit WUSF 89.7. New Florida law lifts ban on all dog breeds, pit bulls remain controversial (4)

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? ›

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 about pitbulls in Florida? ›

As of Sunday, Oct. 1, an update to Florida's "Dangerous Dogs" law effectively prohibits local governments or public housing authorities from banning pit bulls. It also prohibits any local ordinances or policies that declare a dog dangerous based on its breed, size or weight.

What is the new dog law 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 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.

Is a pitbull a banned breed? ›

After a number of fatal attacks in England and Wales by Pit Bulls on humans between 1981 and 1991 – the UK government decided to take action and ban the breed in 1991 under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Size: Medium-sized dogs, with males weighing around 13 to 36 kilogrammes. Height: 19 inches.

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.

Why are pitbulls still legal? ›

Several states have bans on pit bulls, believing them to be dangerous. Recognizing that danger often stems from poor training or owner behavior rather than the breed, California has no breed-specific laws for any dog, including pit bulls.

What cities in Florida ban pit bulls? ›

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.

How many dogs are allowed in a house 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.

What states do not allow pit bulls? ›

Breed-specific legislation is typically enacted at the county or municipal level. Currently, no state outlaws Pit Bulls entirely, although some of America's biggest cities still enforce bans and restrictions.

Why are pitbulls so aggressive? ›

These larger, slower bull-baiting dogs were crossed with smaller, quicker terriers to produce a more agile and athletic dog for fighting other dogs. Some pit bulls were selected and bred for their fighting ability. That means that they may be more likely than other breeds to fight with dogs.

What is the new breed of pitbull? ›

The teacup pitbull is a relatively new dog breed that inherited their larger counterparts' affectionate and loyal traits, making them wonderful family companions.

What happens if you own a dog that is banned? ›

If it goes to court, you cannot visit your dog until a decision has been made. If it does go to court, it will be your responsibility to prove your dog is not a banned type. If you are successful, your dog will be released to you. If you are not, you will be found guilty of owning a banned type of dog.

Is it safe to have a pitbull as a pet? ›

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.

Why are XL bullies banned? ›

From Thursday, people will be banned from keeping American XL bullies unless they get an exemption after the dog was listed as a dangerous breed in the wake of fatal attacks on humans. Shelters say they have seen a huge increase in XL bullies being handed in or abandoned.

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 dog breed is not allowed in Florida? ›

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

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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