If pit bulls in their various incarnations are banned, drug dealers and other felons switch to another breed or mix. Far better than breed-specific bans are strict laws to control aggressive dogs of any breed or mix. Number limits Dog owners in some communities face a limit on the number of pets they can own, but these limits, too, are counterproductive. A pet limit is difficult to enforce without increased presence of animal control or police agencies and often leads to a decrease in pet licensing to prevent cross-referencing of license records. If the law is only enforced upon complaint, it becomes just another law for people to circumvent and further erodes confidence in legislative bodies.
Numbers have no relationship to nuisances.
A person with one dog that runs loose or barks all night is a greater nuisance than a person with a dozen dogs that are quiet, clean, and kept at home. Use of an arbitrator to mediate neighborhood disputes about animals. Use of alternative sentencing such as community service at the county animal shelter or attendance at a full obedience training course for those who violate nuisance ordinances. Periodic programs or mailings about responsible dog ownership or city sponsorship of a Canine Good Citizen test to encourage residents to be responsible dog owners. These laws usually require breeding permits and special licenses for intact animals, and often impose number limits, crack down on rabies vaccinations and dog licensing, and allow for the sterilization of any intact animal if it has been impounded.