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Last Updated: 9/24/2025 

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) are laws that regulate or ban certain types of dogs based on their appearance or breed because they are seen as dangerous. These laws are in response to dog attacks, aiming to lower the risk of future incidents. Supporters of BSL believe that it helps prevent attacks and enhance public safety by targeting breeds that are statistically more likely to be involved in aggressive incidents. However, BSL is a hotly debated topic. Many that it is both ineffective and unfair. Critics say BSL targets specific breeds without addressing the real causes of aggressive behavior in dogs, such as poor training, neglect, or abuse.  

������  in the United States during the 1980s, following media reports of attacks involving pit bulls. These reports led to studies about dog breeds and aggression. Although the findings varied, most studies relied on  to determine a dog’s breed. The results of this research, including one  by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) that examined human fatalities from dog bite wounds 1979 through 1998, were used to justify the creation of “breed lists:” lists of dog breeds believed to  be more aggressive or more likely to bite.  

 have raised concerns about the accuracy of these studies. Identifying a dog’s breed based only on appearance or physical characteristics is not definitive.  Despite this, some insurers still use breed lists when underwriting homeowners and renters liability insurance policies. This practice can make it harder for consumers with dogs on the list to obtain sufficient coverage. Opponents of these lists  there is a lack of reliable actuarial data associating dog breeds with specific negative behaviors, and that insurers fail to consider a dog’s individual history and focus solely on breed. 

According to , dog-related incidents are a significant driver of insurance claims.  In 2024, U.S. insurers paid $1.57 billion for nearly 23,000 dog-related injury claims, which include not only dog bites but also all other incidents. The average cost per claim rose to about $69,000, reflecting increased medical costs and larger legal settlements. Some insurers have tried to control these costs by using breed lists to deny coverage for specific dog breeds. However, there is a lack of conclusive data to show specific dog breeds are drivers of claims or are more innately risky. 

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) and breed lists have been controversial since their introduction. Supporters and critics remain divided. Insurance industry groups, such as the  (APCIA), support the use of breed lists and oppose efforts to ban them. In contrast, organizations like the , , , and  argue that BSL is based on flawed data and does not improve public safety. 

A with BSL is how breeds are identified. These laws often rely on physical traits to classify dogs, with pit bull mixes, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and boxers . However, “pit bull” is not a —it is a general label for dogs with certain physical features. Studies that even experts, such as veterinarians and , struggle to identify breeds accurately without genetic testing. Misclassification is common, especially for pit bull mixes. 

Given both the difficulties of identifying breed and inherent biases which lead to the overrepresentation of pit bulls, animal rights groups argue that breed lists and BSL are largely flawed and . 

Critics also argue that BSL policies are discriminatory. A in Animal Law suggests that pit bulls became associated with racial bias in the 1980s due to media coverage linking them to crime and drug activity. A found that enforcement of Denver’s pit bull ban was concentrated in racially diverse neighborhoods and cost the city $100 million over 30 years without improving public safety. 

Research has shown that breed is not a strong predictor of behavior. A in Science found that while most physical traits are tied to DNA, only 9% of personality traits are linked to breed. The study concluded that environment plays a larger role in shaping behavior. The American Veterinary Medical Association  that breed-specific bans oversimplify a complex issue and recommends focusing on responsible pet ownership, licensing, leash laws, and training. 

Alternatives to BSL include non-breed-specific dangerous dog laws, stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws, and spay/neuter programs. Public opposition to BSL is . Since 2018, U.S. municipalities had breed bans, and a study found that opposed breed-specific policies. 

In the insurance sector, some states have taken action. and have passed laws limiting insurers from using breed alone to determine liability coverage. Some , like State Farm, consider a dog’s bite history rather than its breed. In 2022, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) adopted a prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based solely on breed. Other insurance groups offer safety tips but do not take a formal stance on breed-based underwriting. 

The Committee continues to monitor issues relating to homeowners and renters insurance.