Everett is among the many cities in Washington where breed-specific, blanket bans on certain types of dogs has been enforced, for years. No longer is this
the case, beginning next year.
The EMC 6.08.010(b) defines them very broadly, to include all mixes as well:
“Any dog known by the owner to be a pit bull terrier, which shall be defined in this chapter as any American Pit Bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.”
Furthermore, “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.”
Cities can now require temperment testing of “dangerous” breeds but can now no longer preclude ownership of some types or discriminate against certain
breeds. Now, rather than breeds and owners being prohibited, cities themselves must meet conditions before prohibiting the ownership of them, including
taking into account testing results from the AKC Canine Good Citizen test or any equivalent, allowing for retesting and allowing years between
testing.
Per the American Temperment Test Society, pitbulls frequently rank within the same rankings of that of very popular, non-banned breeds, like Golden
Retrievers. The test is administered over about a twelve minute span, where they’re exposed to factors that could startle or alarm the dog, cueing
an instinct to bite or react to perceived threat.
HB 1026 will come into effect on the first day of January 2020.
