SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — Stereotypes associated with restricted dog breeds like pit bulls and Rottweilers can cause issues for more than just the dogs. Owners of these breeds also face restrictions, especially in certain states.
Restricted breed owners often struggle to find affordable housing that’s welcoming toward their furry friend.
Florida’s breed restriction laws end Oct. 1, making it the 11th state to permanently ban restrictions.
The other 10 states include:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Virginia
“An apartment, for example, that wouldn’t just be accepting pets, it would be not having breed or weight restrictions,” said Humane Society of Sarasota County Events & Corporate Giving Manager Jaime Limoges.
HSSC said the majority of dog owners that bring their dog in to get rehomed are due to breed discrimination.
“Most of the rehomes that come into our shelter are because people have had a situation change with their living because they might be more of a pitbull mix, more of a boxer. And so, they are discriminated against,” said Limoges.
According to MarketWatch Guides, one-third of restricted dog breed owners have been rejected from rental applications because of their dog’s breed.
They conducted a survey that found that one in five dog owners admitted to lying on a rental application about their dog’s breeds. More than one in 10 reported that they were evicted once their landlord learned the truth.