City of Everett Lifts Breed Specific Ban on “Dangerous” Dog Breeds

The city of Everett has kept breed-specific legislation in place for years, which classified pit bulls or pit bull mixes as “potentially dangerous dogs.” The legislation broadly applied to ownership and confinement.

“Pit bulls living within the City of Everett have the following requirements:

1. While on the owner’s property, they “shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and shall also provide protection from the elements for the dog.”

2. While outside of the proper enclosure, the dog must be “restrained by a substantial chain or leash and under physical restraint of a responsible person.”

3. Pit bulls are required to be microchipped.”

On November 6 of this year, city council voted unanimously to lift restrictions on dog breeds, ahead of House Bill 1026 coming into effect January 1, 2020. The HB 1026 was signed into effect last April, and precluded umbrella bans such as the City’s prior code. The new, local ordinance went into effect November 27, 2019.

Per the American Temperment Test Society, pitbulls frequently rank within the same rankings of that of very popular, non-banned breeds, like Golden Retrievers.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1026&Initiative=false&Year=2019

https://everettwa.gov/1423/Breed-Specific-Legislation