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Italy Revokes Breed Ban

April 01, 2009, 1:8PM MT

By Cheri Moon

Official Claims Law Had No Scientific Foundation

Official Claims Law Had No Scientific Foundation

When in Rome…

Italy will eliminate its list of dangerous dogs—replacing it with a law making owners more responsible for their pet's training and behavior.

The new law, effective in April, will eliminate the current list of 17 breeds which are considered potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, bull mastiffs and American bulldogs.

Under the current law, owners of blacklisted breeds are required to keep them muzzled in public places and ensure that they pose no danger to others. Failure to respect the law can result in the animal being put down.

New Law Puts Responsibility On Owner
The new law is built on the foundation that any dog, regardless of breed, can potentially be dangerous and it puts the responsibility—morally and legally—on the owners for a dog’s behavior.

Says Health Undersecretary Francesca Martini, “This is a historic day because we have established for the first time the responsibility of the owner or the person who is momentarily in charge of the animal.”

The new law forbids training dogs to be aggressive using sticks and protective body gear, doping, surgery that is not for health purposes and dangerous cross-breeding. The law also makes veterinarians responsible for compiling a register of individual dogs who they believe may be potentially high risk, requiring owners to keep those pets muzzled in public.

Martini added that the previous law had no scientific foundation and compared it to a “fig leaf over the larger problem.”

USA Needs to Follow Suit
Despite this, many communities in the United States are currently considering enacting breed bans.

Says Ed Fritz, Best Friends’ campaign specialist for Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dog, “Italy’s decision to end its ban on dog breeds is further evidence that breed discrimination just doesn’t work.”

He adds, “Rather than breed-discriminatory restrictions, communities should mirror Italy’s example and put the onus on the owner with good comprehensive dangerous dog/reckless owner laws.”

Additional Information and Resources

• Read the article about the removal of Italy’s breed ban.
• Join the Stop BDL community for more information on how you can help put an end to breed discrimination.
• Learn more about breed bans and dog bite facts at the National Canine Research Council.

Photograph by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted April 04, 2009, 1:42PM by BrandonBond

This is great news... its about time for some.

Posted April 06, 2009, 8:10PM by georgebailey47

Wow! Italy is really on the ball! It is well known that an entire city in Italy is feral cat friendly. It is illegal to hurt or kill a feral cat there. (Kill "shelters" worse nightmare, but a cat's and cat lover's dream come true.)

Why cant the US be as "hip" as Italy?

Italy rocks!!

Posted April 02, 2009, 1:24PM by martil

Joyful news indeed, and very logical!

Posted April 03, 2009, 6:8PM by Rita2828

That is great news , lets hope this starts a chain reaction for our 4 legged friends all over the world. One state at a time.

Rita from Brooklyn

Posted April 05, 2009, 12:25PM by shelllee1983

This is GREAT news!! I hope that this can make it's way around the world. Finally putting the blame on the owners.....because it IS their fault!!! WONDERFUL NEWS!!!

Michelle Lee from Jacksonville Beach, FL

Posted April 02, 2009, 3:14PM by catherine1

Fantastic news! Lets hope the UK follows suit and this ridiculous worldwide joke called breed banning is a thing of the past. x

Posted April 06, 2009, 3:45PM by Desertponder

Woo Hooooo!!! Great news for dogs and owners.

Posted April 03, 2009, 6:3PM by trisharee

Bravo!!! I am so excited about this and hope it starts a positive chain reaction.

Posted April 03, 2009, 6:27PM by pdwlgw

Hooray for the Italians! Now come on, everybody, let's all do the same thing!

Posted April 06, 2009, 4:52PM by MonikaSwiss

Wise move - workshops for dog owners is the one effective way to protect and educate - why can this not happen here ?? Follow Italy's example, use an alternative that puts the responsibility with the owner, where it should be - no matter what the breed - Denver wake up, move out of the dark ages and repeal the ban !!
www.denverkillsdogs.com

Posted April 04, 2009, 2:59PM by CharlesandMaxxum

Its nice to see their not banning a breed....Owners have to step up.....be aware of the dogs breed....Socialize their dogs more- ITS NOT THE BREED....ITS THE OWNER!!!

Posted April 06, 2009, 11:21PM by MonikaSwiss

Georgebailey47: the US can't be as hip as Italy because they only prohibit, get rid of, build more prisons or kill more dogs.... that is the only way they know how to deal with issues... more laws, more rules, more regulations, more bans, the Land of the Free is not free at all, it is the most restricted place I ever lived. Paranoia and fear of liability have replaced common sense. Those emotions rule the country. America, Land of prisons, fences and laws... most well educated people here have never been in Europe... because they think this place is "the best".. well it's far from it. It's comforting to me as a European, that another country over there is smart and does the right thing for the dogs and their owners. I am not sure what it takes for America to wake up from their crusade of killing innocent family pets.

Posted April 03, 2009, 8:3PM by Kelly4cats

Finally common sense wins over fear and ignorance. Hooray!

Posted April 07, 2009, 12:46AM by DoodleBugg

It didn't seem like there was much, if any, enforcement of Italy's breed ban when I was there in Spring 2005. I saw many of the breeds on the list, including pitties and Rotties, walking around in public without muzzles.

Posted April 12, 2009, 11:50PM by mandrewwhiteman

The Italians are showing common sense, unlike many Americans! I agree any breed of dog could be dangerous. A dog by its nature is defensive.

Posted April 05, 2009, 8:52PM by bordercolliemom

WOW!!!! WHAT A CONCEPT. Lets hope this idea crosses the ocean.

Posted April 06, 2009, 4:39PM by nicol

This is the way it should be. Dogs are a reflection of their owners and their training, nothing more, nothing less. Target the irresponsible/abusive/bad owners, not the innocent, helpless dogs. In Switzerland, everyone must now take theoretical and hands-on training classes before they are allowed to have a dog. This should be duplicated everywhere and BSL dumped for good. Pit bulls are the most amazing dogs. Italy has always been one of my favorite countries, now more than ever!

Posted October 13, 2009, 4:33PM by annkees

well, I'm proud of Italy! A thinking country! Yes!!!!

Posted October 14, 2009, 7:8AM by cvfa

Well done Italy !!!! Let's hope that other countries, States and communities follow your lead ! Absolutely wonderful news ! Spreading far and wide ! Thanks Best Friends for posting this ! :)