A Retrospective Study of Canine Outcomes and Length of Stay in a Midwestern Shelter Subject to Breed-Specific Legislation

Abstract

Introduction: Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is intended to restrict or reduce the ownership of selected breeds of dogs within a municipality. These laws frequently aim at ‘bully breeds’ such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and other pure or mixed breeds with similar phenotypic characteristics, which are heavily represented in animal shelters nationwide. This retrospective cohort study investigated differences in outcomes and length of stay (LOS) for legislated dogs versus dogs of other breeds in a managed admission municipal shelter subject to BSL.

Methods: Retrospective outcome data from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 were analyzed. The study population included 764 adult dogs of which 118 were legislated breeds.

Results: Analysis of the full study population found legislated dogs were more likely to be euthanized (x²(4) = 23.76, p < 0.001) and experience a longer LOS (U = 32858.50, z = -2.385, p = 0.017). Non-legislated breeds were more likely to be adopted (x²(4) = 23.760, p < 0.001). In a weight-matched subset of dogs weighing 14.1–30.6 kg (n = 424, including 339 non-legislated and 85 legislated dogs), there was no longer a significant difference between the groups in the rate of live versus non-live outcomes (X²(1) = 2.022, p = 0.179); however, legislated dogs experienced a significantly longer LOS to adoption (U = 2039.00, Z = -2.04, p = 0.041) and return-to-owner (U = 1725.50, Z = -3.33, p = 0.001) and a reduced likelihood of adoption (x²(3) = 11.454, p = 0.010). Additional analysis performed for 80 dogs whose first outcome was euthanasia revealed non-legislated dogs were significantly more likely to be euthanized for medical reasons than legislated dogs, and there were no significant differences in euthanasia for aggressive behavior or behavioral evidence of poor quality of life (x²(2) = 6.528, p = 0.038).

Conclusion: Shelter dogs subject to BSL generally experience barriers to live outcomes. In this shelter, staff endeavored to find live outcomes for these dogs, including transport and reunification. Overturning BSL would support increased live outcomes, including family reunification, for legislated dogs.