The Village of Baldwin has a breed-specific ban in place that prohibits certain breeds of dogs from being owned within the village limits. This ban unfairly targets specific breeds and is not an effective way to address dog-related issues.

Studies have shown that breed-specific legislation does not reduce dog bites or attacks. In fact, it can lead to an increase in bites as owners of banned breeds may be less likely to properly train and socialize their dogs due to fear of persecution.

Furthermore, breed-specific bans are often based on stereotypes and misinformation about certain breeds. For example, that 'bully' breeds (e.g. Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, etc.) are deemed as vicious or dangerous dogs while small/toy-sized breeds (e.g. Dachshund, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terriers, etc.) are praised for their unruly behavior.  Many dogs labeled as "dangerous" are actually friendly and well-behaved when raised by responsible owners.

Instead of targeting specific breeds, the village should focus on enforcing existing leash laws and promoting responsible pet ownership through education programs. This approach has been proven to be more effective at reducing dog-related incidents.

We urge the Village of Baldwin to repeal its breed-specific ban and adopt a more fair and effective approach to promoting public safety around dogs.