Date of Award
Spring 3-9-2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Abstract
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is a law passed in certain states and municipal governments to address dog attacks by certain breeds. This law prohibits breeding and ownership of certain breeds that are considered “dangerous”. Restricted breeds that fall under BSL are Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers. Due to BSL, dogs on the restricted breed list are unfairly judged based on breed and appearance, as opposed to behavior.
Breed bans are currently in effect in Denver, Colorado and other towns throughout the state, however, the Town of Castle Rock which is just south of Denver decided to make history and repeal their pit bull ban after 26 years of enforcement. Using a mixed method of qualitative data analysis with dog bite for the Town and quantitative data analysis with interviews and surveys taken by residents of Castle Rock and surrounding towns, I examined how the Town Council of Castle Rock came to vote to change their animal ordinance which included repealing their pit bull ban and adopting a two-tiered behavioral based dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog ordinance.
Recommended Citation
Dumalag-Perez, Michelle, "Breed Specific Legislation: Are Breed Bans an Effective Tool in Preventing Dog Bites? A Case Study on the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado and their animal ordinance." (2019). EMPA Capstones. 95.
https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/capstones/95