Breed Specific Legislation
Breed-specific legislation, or "BSL", is a type of law or bylaw that prohibits or restricts particular breeds or types of dog. These regulations range from bans on ownership, to restrictions and conditions the owners must follow, such as muzzling. BSL assumes that such dogs are dangerous or vicious, and therefore require these restrictions or bans to prevent dog attacks. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada does not support these restrictions based on physical appearance, but strongly believes in, and advocates for, breed neutral legislation that punishes the deed, not the breed.
Do I Live In An Area With BSL?
In Canada, there are a few ways that people may come across Breed Specific Legislation. Landlords and strata corporations may restrict what breeds are permitted on strata property, and cities, counties, districts and provinces may also include restrictions. You can find out if your strata and/or area is targeted by BSL by reviewing the applicable bylaws. Please note, the province in Ontario has a ban on owning Staffordshire Bull terriers, among other breeds.
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We are fortunate that Justice For Bullies has created a map of cities/provinces in Canada that highlight the areas affected by BSL. Though the map is a great resource, we encourage everyone to review the areas bylaws to confirm the information remains accurate as the organization is volunteer based and may not have the time or be aware of immediate updates.
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Justice For Bullies
Justice for Bullies is a legally running non-profit society founded in 2014 by Chantelle Mackney and her dog Mr. Magoo. They have over 15 years experience advocating for breed neutral legislation and responsible dog ownership. Please visit their website for more in-depth information on BSL, how to fight BSL, responsible pet ownership, dog bite prevention, and more