Prince George's County Ends 27-Year Pit Bull Ban With Behavior-Based Animal Control Reform
On the final day of the 2024 legislative session, Prince George's County did something it hadn’t done in nearly three decades: it let go of fear. The county council voted 7-0 to repeal its 27-year-old ban on pit bull-type dogs — a move that didn’t just change a law, but rewrote the story of how the community treats its animals. Four council members left the chamber during the vote, a quiet protest. But the room? It was packed. Dozens of people in matching purple shirts — members of the Pet Unity Project — sat shoulder to shoulder, holding their breath. When the gavel fell, they didn’t cheer. They cried.
A Ban Built on Appearance, Not Action
For 27 years, Prince George's County was the only place in the entire DMV — D.C., Maryland, Virginia — where owning a pit bull, or even a dog that looked like one, was illegal. Not dangerous. Not aggressive. Not proven to be a threat. Just looked like one. The law didn’t care about behavior. It cared about ears, jaw shape, muscle tone. Thousands of dogs, many of them gentle, loyal, and house-trained, were locked in shelters for months, sometimes years. Many were euthanized simply because they couldn’t be adopted out. The county spent an estimated $3 million a year enforcing this rule — money that went to kennels, paperwork, and court hearings, not to community safety.The Shift: From Breed to Behavior
Edward Burroughs III, Council Chair, didn’t just introduce a bill. He led a movement. Council Bill 097-2025 didn’t just lift the ban — it replaced it with something far more thoughtful. Now, it’s not about what a dog looks like. It’s about what it does. Under the new rules:- All dogs must be leashed except in designated dog parks.
- Dangerous dog violations now carry escalating fines: $500 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second, and $3,000 for the third — targeted squarely at negligent owners, not breeds.
- The definition of a "dangerous dog" has been expanded to include actual attacks, repeated aggression, or unprovoked biting — not appearance.
The Dogs That Were Left Behind
An estimated 1,200 pit bull-type dogs were sitting in Prince George's County shelters, labeled unadoptable. Many had never bitten anyone. Many had never growled. They were just… pit bulls. Now, under the new law, they get a second chance. A pilot program allows them to be adopted — or fostered — with strict safety conditions: mandatory microchipping, liability insurance, and mandatory obedience training. And here’s the twist: if you already had a pit bull in the county before the repeal? You’re not being forced to give them up. You just have to register them with animal control and follow the new leash and behavior rules. No fines. No seizures. Just paperwork.Who’s Helping — and Who’s Not
Not everyone was cheering. Valencia Campbell of Fort Washington, Maryland, stood before the council and pleaded: "I’m speaking for families who live in fear. For children who deserve to feel safe." Her fear isn’t baseless. There have been tragic pit bull attacks in the county — and across the country. But the data doesn’t support breed bans. A 2022 study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found no evidence that breed-specific legislation reduces dog bites. In fact, places like Denver and Miami, which kept breed bans, saw no drop in bite incidents — while places like San Francisco and Denver (after repealing theirs) saw improved outcomes through behavior-focused enforcement. Meanwhile, Humane World for Animals stepped in — offering to cover all adoption fees for pit bulls, donate microchips, and train shelter staff on the new behavioral assessments. The Pet Unity Project is running free owner workshops and setting up a 24/7 hotline for questions.
What Happens Next?
The bill now heads to County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for final approval. She’s expected to sign it. Implementation begins within 90 days — giving animal control officers time to retrain, shelters time to prepare, and residents time to register their dogs. The cost savings? Officials estimate the county will save $2 million annually by ending the breed ban. That’s money now going toward better training for animal control officers, more community outreach, and expanded low-cost spay/neuter programs. This isn’t just about dogs. It’s about whether we judge people — or animals — by their appearance. It’s about whether we choose fear or facts. And in Prince George's County, on a quiet Tuesday in November, they chose facts.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still be fined if my pit bull bites someone?
Yes — and more than ever. The new law increases penalties for dangerous dog behavior to $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for a third. Fines target owners, not breeds. If your dog bites, you’re responsible. If you ignore training or leash laws, you’ll pay. The focus is on accountability, not punishment of the dog.
What if I already have a pit bull in Prince George's County?
You’re grandfathered in — but you must register your dog with county animal control within 60 days of the law taking effect. You’ll need to provide proof of microchipping, liability insurance, and complete a basic obedience course. No fines, no confiscation — just compliance. The county will send out registration forms and host free training sessions through partner organizations.
How many dogs are affected by this change?
Approximately 1,200 pit bull-type dogs currently in county shelters are now eligible for adoption. An additional 3,000–4,000 dogs are estimated to be living in homes under the radar, owned by residents who feared legal consequences. All of them can now come out of hiding — legally — if they register and follow the new rules.
Why did it take so long to repeal this ban?
The ban was passed in 1997 after a high-profile attack, and fear dominated policy for decades. Animal advocates spent years pushing data — showing breed bans don’t reduce bites, cost millions, and kill adoptable dogs. It took a coalition of residents, vets, and council members like Edward Burroughs III to shift the narrative from emotion to evidence. The vote wasn’t just a policy change — it was a cultural turning point.
Are pit bulls more dangerous than other breeds?
Studies from the CDC, AVMA, and the American Animal Hospital Association show no evidence that pit bulls are inherently more dangerous. Dog bites are far more linked to owner negligence, lack of training, and socialization than breed. In fact, smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Dachshunds bite more frequently — but rarely cause serious injury. The issue isn’t the dog. It’s the human.
What support is available for new pit bull owners?
Humane World for Animals is covering all adoption fees, donating free microchips, and providing free training resources. The Pet Unity Project runs monthly owner meetups and a 24/7 hotline. The county will also offer free obedience classes at local community centers — all funded by savings from the repealed ban.