Breed-specific legislation targeting dogs based on physical appearance has proven ineffective at reducing dog bites while causing significant welfare harm to individual dogs through seizure, impoundment, and euthanasia.
Breed-specific legislation causes direct welfare harm to thousands of individual dogs who are seized and killed based on physical appearance rather than behavior. Dogs impounded under BSL experience the acute welfare harm of shelter confinement and often ultimately death despite having demonstrated no dangerous behavior. The legislation also harms dogs indirectly by preventing proper socialization and veterinary care when owners hide banned breeds from authorities. Evidence-based dog management addresses individual behavior and irresponsible ownership rather than targeting entire appearance categories.