Overland Park, KS: Cruel Pit Bull Ban REPEALED!

Overland Park, Kansas, Breed Ban Repeal

ASPCA Position: Support Repeal

Update—September 21, 2021: The Overland Park City Council met last night and unanimously voted in favor of repealing the city's pit bull ban. Please check out our News post for more information. Thank you, Overland Park advocates!

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Good news, animal advocates: Overland Park’s law prohibiting the ownership of “pit bulls” (Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers and any breed of dog that has the appearance or characteristics of any of these breeds) is currently under review by the City Council. This means we have a chance to make meaningful change for all dogs and their families in Overland Park!

The current breed ban is discriminatory and prevents pets from finding good homes by imposing a fine of up to $1,000 for anyone convicted of violating this law, as well as ordering removal of the dog from the city. In addition, the Court may sentence the defendant to up to 30 days in jail.

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is zero evidence that banning entire classes of dog breeds makes a community safer. What’s more, breed-specific ordinances punish owners of otherwise friendly, well-socialized dogs.

Kansans are turning the tide for human safety and dog welfare. Junction City, Fort Scott, Prairie Village, Paola, Andover, and most recently, Liberal have already overturned their former discriminatory bans against pit bulls, allowing once-endangered dogs to find new, loving homes and keeping people and their pets together. Overland Park, you can help reverse your town’s harmful policy by taking action now!

Advocacy Alert

Your Message

Subject Thank You, Public Safety Committee, for Helping Dogs!

Dear Councilmembers of the Overland Park Public Safety Committee,

Message

As a resident of Overland Park, I am writing to thank you for voting to repeal Overland Park’s dog breed ban so that we can focus resources on enforcing our city’s existing dangerous dog ordinance. The existing ordinance promotes responsible pet ownership and addresses any dangerous dog, regardless of their breed.

Breed bans discriminate against innocent dogs based solely on their breed--or even just their appearance--rather than their behavior, and the laws disenfranchise responsible dog owners. There is no evidence that breed-specific bans make people safer, and in fact, organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Bar Association all oppose them, having determined that they are ineffective.

Thank you again for being the voice of your constituents and voting to repeal Overland Park’s pit bull ban. Please continue to urge your fellow councilmembers to take this step toward a safer and more welcoming city.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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