[EtellaObtaite]

If American Bullies are not Pit Bulls are they still part of the breed specific legislation?

[kimaddison]

it is my understanding that BSL usually states "pit bull type dogs" and since most people consider an ambully to be an APBT and can't correctly identify an actual APBT... I would assume that they would be considered a "banned & dangerous breed" in an area with BSL. I believe most BSL includes any mix of any "pit bull type dog"...

[exchpaypalgold]

Yes, I do think so since to the uneducated public eye they are a "pit bull" to them.

[EtellaObtaite]

That would be like banning poodles Then banning Bichons because they get mistaken for poodles.

[JohnMaltczevitch]

Yep, afraid so.

[Emapymosy]

That would be like banning poodles Then banning Bichons because they get mistaken for poodles.

It's unfair, but not unheard of. People here have even claimed that they've had random strangers ask if their German Shepards were pit bulls. That's how uneducated the general public is.

[we0MA4MI]

That would be like banning poodles Then banning Bichons because they get mistaken for poodles.

Yep. The thing I've noticed is that most of the dogs I've seen that have brought about "ban pitbull" campaigns are NOT APBT, they are much more the AmBully type. The public will think a Bully is the true APBT and if you showed them a real one they wouldn't believe you.

[soineeLom]

If American Bullies are not Pit Bulls are they still part of the breed specific legislation? Yes, along with a lot of other breeds like the GSD and Rotties BSL effects everyone who owns dogs on some level.

[Ephejvll]

Most dogs that are large are affected by BSL in some way, shape, or form. Whether it's an all out ban or a restriction of ownership, they're still affected.

Because they "look" like pit bulls, they will be determined to be pit bulls, whether or not it's true. Some cities can be pretty vile about their ban breeds and will kill anything that even slightly MAYBE perhaps looks like a pit bull, or even not at all.

and yeah, members have talked about their GSD or another breeds which have NO resemblance to pits being called pits. The general population things any "big" and "scary" dog automatically = pit bull.

[U2DnBGFE]

Even if they aren't apbt's, Am Bullies can still be just as DA as any "pit bull" out there... Just saying.

[berdyanskdotsu]

Sadly, yes.

[EtellaObtaite]

Even if they aren't apbt's, Am Bullies can still be just as DA as any "pit bull" out there... Just saying.

Yes already experienced this with Trixie my AMBully
Any dog can be DA or HA That is what makes this whole BSL so crazy
where do you draw the line? When I was growing up and there were no leash laws my med size mutt ran with a pack and often came home beat up
We just chalked it up as dog being a dog.They get into fights. Thankfully He lived to be 19!

[HedgeYourBets]

Most BSL laws include dogs that are mixed with breeds mentioned in the ban/restrictions so ya... they are included.

[mireOpekrhype]

My shelter while not BSL, will not adopt out anything bully looking. That includes Dogos, Presa, APBTs, American Bullies, American Bulldogs, etc. Most people don't know the difference.

I get ask all the time if my Dogo is a pit bull. Most people are receptive to learning about them. But the other day, I had my 2 Dogos and my Greyhound at the hiking trail. This couple was coming out. Neva is 80lbs w/ cropped ears, Casper is 115lbs w/ natural ears. Lady starts screeching about pit bulls. I said no, they are Dogo Argentinos. She said, you mean Pit bull. I said no, I mean Dogo Argentino, a mastiff breed from Argentina. Again she said, you mean pit bull? No and I pointed to my hat which had Dogo Argentino written on it with a picture of a Dogo. She said shook her head and said pit bull and walked off.

[berdyanskdotsu]

My shelter while not BSL, will not adopt out anything bully looking. That includes Dogos, Presa, APBTs, American Bullies, American Bulldogs, etc. Most people don't know the difference.

I get ask all the time if my Dogo is a pit bull. Most people are receptive to learning about them. But the other day, I had my 2 Dogos and my Greyhound at the hiking trail. This couple was coming out. Neva is 80lbs w/ cropped ears, Casper is 115lbs w/ natural ears. Lady starts screeching about pit bulls. I said no, they are Dogo Argentinos. She said, you mean Pit bull. I said no, I mean Dogo Argentino, a mastiff breed from Argentina. Again she said, you mean pit bull? No and I pointed to my hat which had Dogo Argentino written on it with a picture of a Dogo. She said shook her head and said pit bull and walked off.

Wow.
How ignorant.

[Menierofe]

How can a shelter that should be functioning to save animals and educate the public, refuse to deal with 'bully breeds'?. They are perpetuating the public fear, only they are doing it from a 'managerial role', so I would hold them more accountable for their ignorance than just the avearge street joe. sad.

[VodsNittats]

How can a shelter that should be functioning to save animals and educate the public, refuse to deal with 'bully breeds'?. They are perpetuating the public fear, only they are doing it from a 'managerial role', so I would hold them more accountable for their ignorance than just the avearge street joe. sad.

More shelters do than don't

[deackatera]

...should be functioning to save animals and educate the public... Actually, the ONLY true purpose of shelters and animal control is simply that...animal control. It's to keep animals from running amock on the streets and causing problems for people.

If SOME shelters (note: NOT the same thing as private rescues) CHOOSE to make "education of the public" and "saving" animals part of their plan to keep animals off of the streets (again...not for the sake of the animals but for the sake of the public they may be bothering or endangering), then good for them. But it's NOT their "job" to save animals, nor to educate the public.

[Menierofe]

Then I am the one ignorant on that part of it, I walked into what I thought was the SPCA, just to play with the dogs, and instead walked in to the pound (same parking lot), the number of 'pit bulls' was astounding and incredibly heartbreaking, when I took the number of the dejected, skinny, injured little girl I wanted to see, the lady grabbed the radio after pulling her number up and started screaming, "Don't take #..., Don't take #..." when I asked what that was all about, she said they were going to her cage then to euth her.. needless to say, they didn't and I now have "Destiney Bella" lol. But the sheer amount of pit bulls and pit bull types would make most shelters here non existant if they did not provide a chance for these dogs.

---------- Post added at 08:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 AM ----------

Actually, the ONLY true purpose of shelters and animal control is simply that...animal control. It's to keep animals from running amock on the streets and causing problems for people.

If SOME shelters (note: NOT the same thing as private rescues) CHOOSE to make "education of the public" and "saving" animals part of their plan to keep animals off of the streets (again...not for the sake of the animals but for the sake of the public they may be bothering or endangering), then good for them. But it's NOT their "job" to save animals, nor to educate the public.

That's why I said 'should be functioning', I get that they have a 'necessary evil' purpose, but in my opinion, why not take that opportunity to further educate the public?. It isn't enough to JUST do animal control if they are not going to address the real issues, i.e., over breeding, poor educated and irresponsible ownership etc..

[neerewed]

Budget and personnel, Bullyful. Thats why. Most shelters are overwhelmed, understaffed and have a shoestring budget. They simply don't have the time, personnel or funds to help educate the general public or save many animals.

Statistically, especially in populated areas, a large number of dogs found as strays or surrendered to shelters are bully breed or bully breed mixes and those same dogs are statistically much less likely to be adopted than other breeds/types. Because of this many shelters either make it policy to euth them without offering them for adoption to make room for new dogs incomming or they offer them for adoption for a few days and then euth them to make room.

My municipal shelter takes dogs from 5 cities who have recently cut their own AC budgets. We also have breed bans in quite a few neighboring cities. The chances of making it out of the shelter alive are slim if you aren't a bully and damn near hopeless if you are.

Back on topic, yes Am Bullies are usually part of BSL. Some places actually list them as a banned breed while others list the usual bully breeds and add in something to the effect of "looks like one of the banned breeds or a mix of the banned breeds". BSL is often so ridiculous that its not uncommon to hear of Boxer or boxer mix owners having problems with AC harassing them or taking their dogs.