The City of Overland Park, Kansas is considering a repeal of its breed ban after 35 years – and the council is seeking feedback from residents.
Starting in May, the city will be holding a series of meetings (first with “experts” on May 11, then a public hearing on June 9).
In addition, the city is asking for written feedback from residents by completing their online form. AKC strongly encourages those who reside or participate in dog events in Overland Park to take advantage of this opportunity and ask the city to overturn its breed-specific laws and update its dangerous dog laws. View the city’s website for more information on the hearing and feedback process.
Summary:
Current city code bans American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American pit bull terriers, or “any breed of dog that has the appearance or characteristics of any of these breeds.” The law also bans the keeping of any dog with a propensity to bite or attack without provocation.
AKC opposes breed-specific laws. Instead, we promote laws that declare dogs as dangerous based on specific actions, and hold all dog owners accountable regardless of the breed they own. For more talking points and information, visit our key issues page in the AKC Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org/bsl.
AKC Government Relations will continue to monitor and provide more information as it becomes available. For questions, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.