Prince George’s County Repeals Pit Bull Ban With Passage Of CB-97

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Prince George’s County has officially ended its decades-old pit bull ban after the County Council voted to pass CB-97 on Nov. 18, marking a major shift in local animal welfare policy and aligning the county with broader regional and national standards.

The council chambers were packed Tuesday, the final day of the legislative session, with many in attendance wearing purple shirts supporting the repeal — part of a coordinated campaign by the Pet Unity Project.

Animal advocates call Tuesday’s vote a historic milestone for dogs, families and shelters throughout the region, noting that Prince George’s County had maintained one of the longest-standing breed-specific bans in the country. The legislation eliminates restrictions that previously prohibited residents from owning or adopting pit bull-type dogs within the county.

The council heard more than an hour of public testimony, with most speakers urging the repeal. Caitrin Conroy, co-founder of the Pet Unity Project and a Fort Washington resident, said the current law fails to protect the community. “Our current law does not increase safety. It actually does the opposite,” she testified. “The bill in front of us today will make our community safer and fairer.”

The Humane Rescue Alliance, which led significant community outreach through its “Purple for Pitties” campaign, celebrated the vote as a win for humane policymaking, public safety and keeping pets with their families. Supporters of the bill have long argued that breed-specific bans are ineffective, costly and unsupported by modern animal behavior research.

Supporters also criticized the vague standards used to label dogs as pit bulls, often based on appearance alone. Councilmember Sydney Harrison (D-District 9) noted the county spends about $3 million annually trying to enforce the ban, despite estimates that 20,000 to 30,000 pit bulls currently live in Prince George’s County.

Under CB-97, the county will shift toward behavior-based assessments rather than breed-based determinations, a model widely adopted by animal welfare organizations. Advocates say the change will reduce shelter overcrowding, support responsible pet ownership and create more equitable enforcement.

The bill also increases penalties for dogs deemed dangerous, regardless of breed, and expands the county’s leash law, moving enforcement toward individual behavior rather than breed type.

The repeal also brings Prince George’s County into alignment with neighboring jurisdictions across the Washington metropolitan region, none of which maintain breed-specific bans.

As of Nov. 20, the bill has not yet been signed or vetoed by County Executive Aisha Braveboy, and no official action is listed in the county’s legislative record. The bill may still become law without her signature if no action is taken within the legally required timeframe.

Links for More Information:
Humane Rescue Alliance – Purple for Pitties: humanerescuealliance.org
Prince George’s County Council Legislation: pgccouncil.us