Three States Preempt Breed-Specific Legislation
Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed[1]
into law a bill that prohibits any Rhode
Island city or town from regulating
dogs on the basis of breed. Rhode Island
becomes the third state this year, and
the 16th state overall, to enact a breed
preemption statute. The law took effect
immediately upon Governor Chafee’s
signature.
House Bill 5671 was introduced last February. In
accordance with all of the available scientific evidence, the
sponsors argued that no breed of dog is inherently vicious or
dangerous. Nor has regulating dogs on the basis of breed ever
been shown to improve community safety, wherever it has
been enacted. It has, however, wasted tax dollars. The House
agreed, passing the bill on June 26, and sending it on to the
state Senate. After a brief stop in the Senate Environment and
Agriculture Committee, the full Senate concurred with the
House on July 3.
On June 6th Connecticut
Governor Dannel Malloy signed
a bill that preempts municipalities
from regulating dogs on the basis
of breed.
HB6311,
which
was
co-sponsored by 31 state
representatives and senators,
addressed only the issue of breedspecific legislation. It provides that
“no municipality shall adopt breed-specific dog ordinances.”
HB6311 sailed through the state legislature, virtually
unopposed. The House of Representatives voted 142-0 in
favor. The Senate passed the bill 30-4, an overwhelming
majority.
The near-unanimous sup