A new congressional bill provides hope that the future might include public housing without dog breed restrictions.

Prohibiting tenants that have certain breeds of dog, the most common being the pit bull or pit bull mixes, is a common practice among landlords. However, The Pets Belong with Families Act, House Bill 5828 would seek to change that, by making sure that dogs are judged by their behavior rather than breed.

This bill would only apply to public housing units and would not affect other federal housing programs. 

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, who introduced the legislation, said that his bill “would put an end to overly broad breed-specific pet restrictions in public housing, which force many low-income families and individuals to make the impossible choice between their beloved companions and secure, affordable housing.”

The Senate worked on the bill in collaboration with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society, which have endorsed the legislation.

This bill could be a life-changer for many, as many pet owners that need this housing option have to choose between giving up their dogs or living on the streets.

Judging dogs’ behavior by their breeds is inaccurate and unfair for both the human and the dog. Hopefully, this bill will reduce the stigma surrounding certain breeds and help many more people access housing with their dogs.

The UK’s Dangerous Dog Act allows officers to flag dogs that have certain physical characteristics for euthanasia. Sign this petition to ask the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to change the Dangerous Dog Act to evaluate dogs on behavior, not breed.

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