As of May 1, 2009, the New York City the Housing Authority banned pitbulls from all government run apartments or public housing projects, and decreased the weight limit from 40 lbs. to 25 lbs, effectively banning all large breeds.
Residents who owned pitbulls before the law went into effect had to register their dogs.
City Councilmember Peter Vallone, who has unsuccessfully lobbied both state and city legislators to ban pitbulls, advocated for the NYCHA ban.
As more communities adopt breed-specific legislation banning or limiting pitbulls, Berkeley, California has embraced the breed, with great success.
Last year, the Berkeley Alliance for Homeless Animals Coalition (BAHAC) won a $474,200 prize from Maddie’s Fund for “saving all of the community’s healthy and treatable dogs and cats” – including pitbulls.
BAHAC, which includes the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, Berkeley Animal Care Services and Home At Last Rescue, has achieved no-kill status (no healthy, treatable shelter pets are euthanized) every year since 2002.
Like most American cities, Berkeley once had an animal control situation where, on any given day, 70% to 80% of the dogs in their shelters were pitbulls or pitbull mixes. But BAHAC solved its pitbull problem.
How did Berkeley do it? BAHAC's 5-step plan is outlined in a recent Maddie’s Fund newsletter.
Step One is public relations: dispelling the myths about the breed, educating shelter staff and educating the public about pitbulls. Only after people's misconceptions about the breed have been dispelled will they consider adopting the dogs.
Meeting the dogs themselves is the best PR for the breed. Pits are the quintessential dog: sensitive, lovable and funny.
Step Two is training. BAHAC invests a lot of time training and rehabilitating the dogs. Pits that end up in shelters are typically big, young high-energy dogs with no manners -- nobody has trained them. BAHAC partnered with Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls (BAD RAP), a leader in the rescue and rehabilitation of pit bull breeds, to train the dogs.
Step Three is to gather activists and experts to the cause. In addition to BAD RAP, BAHAC also recruited dedicated volunteers, pit bull advocates, dog trainers, and expert dog handlers. Those who could handle any dog in the shelter trained and mentored the less-experienced volunteers.
Step Four is adoption: finding the best home for every dog. BAHAC’s first rule is that the adopter must be over 25 years old, because pitbull guardians need to be mature adults. In an interview, the person’s lifestyle and expectations are assessed, to find the best match between person and dog. And finally, the coalition makes a home visit.
Step Five is follow-up. BAHAC contacts each new pitbull guardian to provide “post-adoption” advice. Adoptive families must take a mandatory training with their new dogs to ensure that they will reinforce what the dogs have learned in the shelter. The guardian must learn everything the pit has been taught.
By the time families complete the course, they have become ambassadors for the bull breeds.
Step Five is follow-up. BAHAC contacts each new pitbull guardian to provide “post-adoption” advice. Adoptive families must take a mandatory training with their new dogs to ensure that they will reinforce what the dogs have learned in the shelter. The guardian must learn everything the pit has been taught.
By the time families complete the course, they have become ambassadors for the bull breeds.
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