Breed bans target big, muscular dogs like pit bulls and rotweilers that have been stereotyped as dangerous.

But a new law, which the Legislature approved in April of 2019 and which went into effect on Jan. 1, gives dog owners an opportunity to avoid such bans.

To make that happen, the dogs must successfully complete the American Kennel Club’s Canine Citizen program or a similar test determined by the city or county.

The program tests whether an animal will react aggressively to strangers, while being petted and when mixing it up with other dogs

In late December, the city of Auburn squared its regulations with the new law and removed breed specific language.

Cities still enforce breed bans but have to exempt dogs that pass the test. Dogs who pass the test are exempt for at least two years and those who fail may retest.