2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FIVE - Agriculture (§§ 1 — 4706) › Chapter 55 - Harmful Animals (§§ 1601 — 1610) › § 1601 - Prohibition

The introduction, possession, acquisition, sale or transfer in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of those fishes, also including mollusks and crustaceans, as well as amphibians, reptiles, wild birds, microorganisms, insects, wild mammals, or their eggs or progeny, which the Secretary of Agriculture designates as harmful to the agricultural, cattle and crop raising, horticultural, forestry or wild life interests, or that because of their predatory or poisonous nature could constitute a threat or risk to the life or safety of human beings, is hereby prohibited.
The introduction, [importation], possession, acquisition, breeding, purchase, sale and transfer in any form in the island of Puerto Rico, of the dogs known as “Pitbull Terriers”, or hybrids produced by cross-breeding with dogs of other breeds, is also prohibited.
Regardless of the above, the owners of dogs of the aforementioned breed may use the mechanism set forth below to continue owning said animals.
The matter concerns the product of cross-breeding bulldogs and terriers. This product is defined as a breed of bull terriers which includes Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers and crossbreeds of these and other terrier strains. They are difficult to distinguish from other strains because of their similarities, but essentially they can be distinguished from other canine breeds for their:
Height: 14 to 19 inches
Weight: females from 30 to 50 pounds and
males from 35 to 50 pounds
Head: ovular, protruding cheekbones and jaw
Eyes: black, small and triangular
Body: muscular, thick and compact
Coat: short and glossy.
Any person who on the date of approval of this act owns any of the abovementioned canines, shall register said dog or dogs in the register destined to such ends in the Department of Agriculture. The registration shall be made within one year from the date of approval of this act. After said grace period has elapsed, the opportunity to register these animals shall cease, and the Register shall be closed.
The registration application shall include the name, address and telephone number of the owner, the location where the animal shall be kept and all other information needed to identify the dog. Said application shall include a registration fee of twenty five dollars ($25).
Every dog thus registered shall be assigned a registration number which shall be engraved on a small metal plaque to be attached to the collar of said dog. In addition to the metal plaques duly engraved with the registration number, the owner will receive a certificate of registration in evidence that the dog has been duly registered in the Department of Agriculture.
Said dogs shall be neutered and tattooed with an indelible mark indicating said surgical procedure, and the corroborating document signed by a veterinarian shall be a required by the Department of Agriculture prior to entering them in the Register.
After the grace period of one year, any dog lacking a tag indicating its registration number, and if the owner is unable to produce the registration certificate, said dog shall be confiscated immediately by the pertinent authorities.
Regardless of the above, the owner of one or more of these animals may choose to avail him/herself of the provisions of § 1606 of this title. The provisions of § 1604 of this title will not apply.
History —June 23, 1971, No. 70, p. 209, § 1; July 9, 1986, No. 78, p. 257, § 2; July 23, 1998, No. 158, § 1; Apr. 30, 1999, No. 111, § 1.