Florida House Bill CS1/HB 721 seeks to remove an exemption under current Florida state law that allows certain cities and counties to ban dog breeds. If this legislation passes, remaining county and city laws in Florida that ban dog breeds would no longer be in effect. For example, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, “pit bulls” and “any other dog that substantially conforms to any of these breeds’ characteristics” that are currently discriminated against under certain local laws would gain statewide protection from local discrimination
The bill would also allow a public (government) housing authority to adopt a rule or policy regarding restrictions or requirements for dangerous dogs, provided that no such rule or policy is specific to breed.
What Can Florida Residents Do:
Contact your state Senator and Representative and ask them to vote yes on CS1/HB 721 as currently presented.
To send an online message, click here and scroll down to “Find Officials.” Click the button next to “Elected Officials,” enter your zip code and address, and click the arrow. Scroll down to “Your State Officials” and click the boxes next to your state Senator’s and state Representative’s names and click “Compose Message.” This will open an online form that you can use to send them a message.
For resources and talking points on Breed Specific/Dangerous Dog Laws, please click here.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to provide updates and action alerts on HB 721 as developments warrant. Please contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3720 for additional information on these bills and other pending canine legislation issues in Florida.
View advocacy resources from AKC Government Relations:
Recent Legislative & Informational Alerts
State & Federal Legislation Tracking Map
Toolbox (with downloadable materials)