Earlier today, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, repealed its law targeting specific breeds of dogs.
Until today, the law required owners of American Pit Bull Terriers, Stafforshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers to pay higher licensing fees, have $1 million insurance policies, and muzzle their dogs in public -- in the same way dogs with actual bite histories were required to do.
But today, the council approved a law that eliminates the breed-specific language.
Edmonton has a population of over 800,000 people, and is the second largest city in Alberta. Alberta's largest city, Calgary, has long been an example of how laws targeting dogs (and owners) based on their behavior were more effective at improving public safety than laws targeting specific breeds.
Today, Edmonton joins 20 other North American jurisdictions that have repealed breed-specific laws -- including the entire state of Ohio, and the state of Massachussetts outlawing laws targeting specific breeds.
Congrats to everyone in Edmonton.
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