Advocacy

Being a voice for the voiceless in combating misaligned stereotypes, providing education to combat breed specific discrimination, and bringing the image of the pit bull back to the all-American family dog.

We are not just pit bull advocates, we are also human advocates. We believe in a safe and compassionate environment for all people and their canine companions.

Advocacy starts at home in practicing what we preach. The best way to advocate for pit bull type dogs is to lead by example. Promote responsible dog ownership by being a responsible dog owner.

APBF believes in the Five Freedoms, as outlined in the Brambell Report associated with happiness in animals. We collectively define a responsible dog owner as one who provides their dogs with these five freedoms:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
4. Freedom to express normal behavior
5. Freedom from fear and distress

Breed Specific Legislation

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is the general term for laws that either regulate or ban certain breeds of dogs.

Pit bull type dogs are at the top of the target list for BSL and owners often face adversity an undue stress due to private ordinances and regulations from insurance companies, apartment complexes, and home owners associations due to the misconception that eradicating a breed of dog will eradicate bites and attacks.

Breed bans are being repealed across the United States after a decade of disproving that bans have a positive impact on reducing bites and attacks. On the contrary to the “band-aid fix”, areas of breed ban implementation have shown a rise in bites and attacks. You can learn more about how to get involved with combatting dangerous breed laws by visiting Project End BSL, Humane Lobby Day, and Woofobia.

One way to advocate for safer cities is through the legislative process. Here are some great legislation resources available: North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare, ASPCA Advocacy, and Humane Society of the United States.

Current North Carolina Legislation (2019/2020 session) to keep up with affecting dangerous dog laws, animal abuse, emotional support animals, and limitations of owning pit bull type dogs.

Bill S423 – North Carolina Animal Abuser Registry Act

Bill H796 – Emotional Support Animals (Rental Units)

Bill H878 – Amend Dangerous Dog Laws

Bill H561 – Strengthen Dangerous Dog Laws

Bill H506 – Animal Fights/Criminalize Attendance of a Minor

Bill H778 Protect Public From Dangerous Animals/Revise Laws

Bill S497 – Animal Abuse Registry

Bill S357 – Limit Ownership of Certain Animals

Current South Carolina Legislation (2019/2020 session) to keep up with affecting dangerous dog laws, animal abuse, emotional support animals, and limitations of owning pit bull type dogs.

Bill H3709 – Require Registration of Fertile Pit Bulls