Utah becomes the 19th state to prohibit laws targeting specific breeds of dogs

It's official, today, the Utah Governor signed their law which now prohibits any city or municipality from instituting any type of law or policy targeting specific breeds of dogs.

The signing of the bill joins them with South Dakota as two states that have passed such laws in this legislative session.  Utah is now the 19th state to prohibit laws targeting specific breeds, joining South Daktoa, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado, California and South Carolina with similar laws. 

Meanwhile, Missouri HB 1116/SB 865 is a nearly identical bill that has been passed out of committee in both houses and now await a hearing on the main floor of the council. Missouri has a chance to join these other progressive states in forcing communities to deal with dangerous dogs based on the behavior of the dogs, not breeds. Expert opinion overwhelmingly supports breed-neutral solutions to dangerous dog laws -- now nearly 1/2 of all US states do to.

Congrats to the state of Utah.

Comments

[jan]

I don't normally cheer for yet another law being passed, but good for the states to pass common sense laws to prevent stupid laws being passed by local politicians.

[Brent]

Agreed Jan! But when it's a law prohibiting other types of laws I welcome it :)

[Zia Bossenmeyer]

Do you know if these are passed straight out or if they have the exception of mandatory spay neuter of pit bulls, like CA?

[Brent]

Zia -- there are no exceptions allowed in the Utah Bill. It prohibits all laws and policies related to breed by any municipal entity, and makes void all existing laws.

Here is the specific law:

http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/HB0097.html

[Gary Collier]

A success in Oregon:
http://www.care2.com/causes/success-oregon-town-rejects-breed-specific-dog-bans.html

[dog training and behavior modification nh]

Glad to know that, hopefully it will benefit certain types of dogs.

[Hanna Nelson]

Question. Does this mean that Apartments/Landlords can no longer restrict breeds?

[Brent]

Hanna -- unfortunately no. The law only applies to cities and municipal shelters.