Local Ordinances

Ordinance namesort descending Citation Summary
PA - Philadelphia - Chapter 10-100 Animals (Stables, Horse Ownership, Sale of Horsemeat - Secs. 10-107 - 10-108.2.) The Philadelphia Code, Chapter 10-100: Animals §§ 10-107 - 10-108.2

These Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ordinances require a person to obtain a license for operating a commercial stable; for renting a horse; for operating a horse drawn carriage, and for owning a horse in general. Not only do these ordinances provide information on how to obtain these licenses, but they also include horse care standards for each respective license. Penalties for violating these provisions and a prohibition on the sale of horse meat for human consumption are also included.

PA - Pittsburgh - CHAPTER 635: Other Animals And Fowl ( Article 3: Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Code of Ordinances, Article 3: Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals, Secs. 635.03 - 635.08

These Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ordinances prohibit any person from riding or driving any animal-drawn conveyance on any street or sidewalk within the city except by permit or by authorization from the Director of the Department of Public Works. Whoever violates this provision will be fined $100 for the first offense and $300 for any subsequent offenses. Additionally, these ordinances provide provisions related to rodeos and whoever violates these provisions will be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both.

RI - Central Falls - Breed - Sec. 8-162. - Pit bulls unlawful. CENTRAL FALLS, R.I., REVISED ORDINANCES § 8-162 (2003)

In Central Fall, Rhode Island, it is unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell any pit bull dog, with exceptions for dogs already registered and licensed, for animal shelters, and participants in dog shows. The owner of a pit bull must be at least 21 years old, must carry liability insurance of at least $100,000, prove the dog was spayed or neutered, and post a "PIT BULL DOG" sign. Violation of this ordinance may result in a fine of $250 (first offense) to $1,000 (third offense) and imprisonment up to 30 days. The dog may also be impounded and destroyed.

RI - Pawtucket - Breed - § 116-37. Registration of Rottweilers required; § 116-37.1 Pit bulls prohibited PAWTUCKET, R.I., CODIFIED ORDINANCES § 116-37; § 116-37.1 (2003)

In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, it is unlawful to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell any pit bull dog. Exceptions are made for animal shelters, dog shows, and dogs that have been previously registered and licensed. In the last case, the owner must be at least 21 years of age, keep liability insurance of at least $100,000, have the dog sterilized, keep the dog properly confined, and post a "PIT BULL DOG" sign. A violation may result in a fine ($500 - $1,000) and/or imprisonment up to 30 days. The dog may also be impounded and/or destroyed.

SC- Greenville County - Chapter 4: Animals and Fowl (Article II: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife, and Exotic Animals) Greenville County, South Carolina Code of Ordinances, ARTICLE II: DOGS, CATS, WILDLIFE AND EXOTIC ANIMALS, §§ 4-11, 4-19, 4-21, 4-22, 4-23

In Greenville County, South Carolina, a person who hoards and collects animals commits an act of animal cruelty and is guilty of a misdemeanor.

SD - Marion - Breed - 9.0312 Vicious or Diseased Animals. MARION, S.D., CITY ORDINANCES § 9.0312 (2002)

In Marion, South Dakota, it is unlawful to keep, maintain or have in their possession or under their control any vicious animal, which includes Pit Bulls, Doberman Pincers, and Rottweilers.  Police are authorized to impound any vicious dog or kill it without impounding it. A violation is a misdemeanor.

TN - Dyer - Breed - Ordinance 2007-157 (An Ordinance To Regulate The Keeping of Pit Bulls and Other Vicious Dogs) DYER, TN., MUNICIPAL CODE § 2007-157 (2007)

In Dyer, Tennessee, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own, or possess a pit bull dog, with exceptions for dogs registered as of the date this ordinance was adopted. The owners of such dogs must comply with certain requirements, such as physical restraint or proper confinement of the dog, use of a muzzle on the dog, the posting of a “Beware of Dog” sign, the keeping of $100,000) liability insurance, and the taking of photographs for identification purposes. Dogs not kept according to the requirements may be impounded.

TN - Nashville - Title 8 - ANIMALS Title 8 - ANIMALS

These are the animal ordinances for the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. These laws include dog laws (including vicious dogs), wildlife and animal control regulations. 

TN - Selmer - Breed - Chapter 3. Pit Bulls. SELMER, TN., MUNICIPAL CODE § 10-301 to 306 (2008)

In Selmer, Tennessee, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own, exercise control over, maintain, transport, sell, or possess a pit bull dog. Any person owning such dogs at the time this chapter was adopted had 90 days to comply. The police may seize and impound any pit bull dog within the corporate limits of Selmer. A violation may result in a fine of $50.

TX - Dallas - Dallas City Code. Volume I. Chapter 7. Animals. Sec. 7-1.1 - Sec. 7-8.3

This comprises Dallas, Texas' animal control and dangerous dog ordinances. Among the provisions is a requirement that an owner of an animal restrain the animal at all times in a fenced yard, in an enclosed pen or structure, or by a tether or leash. Other provisions of interest include an anti-trapping provision; a section that prohibits the carrying or transporting of an animal within the open bed of any moving pickup; and limitations on the number of dogs or cats that residents can maintain based on the size of the lot and proximity to other dwellings. Dallas has a mandatory spay/neuter requirement; an owner of a dog or cat commits an offense if the animal is not spayed or neutered once over six months old (subject to certain exemptions). Further, a person commits an offense if he or she breeds a dog or cat without a valid intact animal permit for the dog or cat. Other provisions include the keeping of prohibited animals, the keeping of roosters, and noise disturbances by animals.

TX - Forth Worth - Chapter 6. Animals and Fowl. Sec. 6.1 to 6.86

The following comprises Fort Worth, Texas' animal-related ordinances. A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors, or has custody of any female dog or cat over 6 months or of any male dog or cat over 8 months of age that is unaltered unless such person has a valid intact pet permit. Another section makes it unlawful to interfere with an animal care and control officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties. The city outlines sanitation standards for animals kept by owners and limits the number of dogs and cats one may keep to 3 of each species. In addition, the city declares that a person who keeps a dangerous animal (as defined) other than a dog as commits a public nuisance, and outlines specific registration and enclosure requirements for dangerous animals. A subsequent section describes the dangerous dog provisions. In addition to registration, licensing, rabies vaccination, and impoundment provisions, the city has some interesting ordinances related to the keeping of miniature swine, unlawful acts of docking and cropping, and the procedure for picking up of dead animals by the city.

UT - South Jordan - Breed - Pit Bull Ordinance JORDAN, UT., MUNICIPAL CODE § 6.12.100 (1997)

In South Jordan, Utah, it is unlawful to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport or sell any "pit bull terrier." There is an exception for dogs licensed prior to the effective date of the ordinance, but such dogs are subject to certain requirements, such as the maintenance of $50,000 insurance for bodily injury or death. Such dogs must be properly confined or securely leashed and muzzled, and be implanted with an identification microchip. Any violation of this section is a class C misdemeanor.

VA - Virginia Beach - Chapter 1 General Provisions and Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl (ARTICLE V: ANIMAL WELFARE. DIVISION 3: PROHIBITED ACTS) Virginia Beach City Code §§ 1-9, 5-540

Under this Virginia Beach ordinance, if a person knows or has reason to believe a dog is a guide dog or a leader dog and that person, without just cause, willfully impedes or interferes with said dog, then that person is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and is subject to fines not to exceed more than $500. However, if a person knows or has reason to believe a dog is a guide dog or a leader dog and that person, without just cause, willfully injures said dog, then that person is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor and is subject to fines not to exceed more than $2,500.

VT - Brattleboro - Chapter 3: Animals and Fowl (Article 2: Dogs, Wolf-Hybrids) Brattleboro, Vermont Code of Ordinances, Article 2: Dogs, Wolf-Hybrids, §§ 3-27 to 3-34

In Brattleboro, Vermont, owners or keepers of assistance dogs are exempt from the license surcharge fee, but are still required to pay a basic license fee plus a fee for the statewide rabies program. When obtaining a license, owners or keepers of assistance dogs must provide documentation of their assistance dog’s training. The following ordinances also indicate which dogs are eligible as assistance dogs.

VT - South Burlington - Backyard Chicken Ordinance South Burlington, Vermont Code of Ordinances, South Burlington Backyard Chicken Ordinance, §§ 100 - 115.

The purpose of this South Burlington, Vermont ordinance is to provide standards for keeping no more than 6 noncommercial, domesticated female chickens in a lot and to ensure that the domesticated chickens do not adversely impact surrounding neighborhood properties. To do so, the city of South Burlington requires a person to obtain an annual permit and to demonstrate compliance with the criteria and standards listed in this ordinance. A violation of this ordinance will result in a $25 fine and may result in a permit revocation; a violation of this ordinance also provides grounds for removing chickens and chicken-related structures from a lot.

WA - Buckely - Breed - Chapter 9.10 (Pit Bull Ordinance) BUCKELY, WA., MUNICIPAL CODE §§ 9.10.020, 9.10.260 - 9.10.300 (2008)

In Buckely, Washington, pit bulls are defined to be “dangerous dogs." Such dogs are considered to be a public nuisance and shall be humanely destroyed or removed from the city.

WA - Cathlamet - Breed - Chapter 6.10 
PIT BULL DOGS CATHLAMET, WA., MUNICIPAL CODE §§ 6.10.010 - 6.10.030 (1991)

It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog in Cathlamet, Washington, with exceptions for dogs licensed before the effective date of this chapter. Such dogs are subject to certain requirements, such as proper confinement, the use of a leash and muzzle, posting “Beware of Dog” signs, the use of special orange collars, photographs and tattoos for identification purposes, keeping $100,000 liability insurance, and vaccinating the dog against rabies. Any pit bull dog found to be the subject of a violation may be confiscated and even destroyed.

WA - Enumclaw - Breed - Chapter 7.08
 PIT BULL DOGS ENUMCLAW, WA., MUNICIPAL CODE §§ 7.08.010 - 7.08.030 (1990)

In Enumclaw, Washington, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess a pit bull dog, with exceptions for dogs licensed before the effective date of the ordinance. Such dogs are subject to certain requirements, such as proper confinement, the use of a leash and muzzle, posting “Beware of Dog” signs, the use of special orange collars, photographs and tattoos for identification purposes, keeping $100,000 liability insurance, and vaccinating the dog against rabies. Failure to  comply may result in the humane destruction of the dog.

WA - Gold Bar - § Sec. 6.02.019 Foster care or rescue or placement. § 6.02.019 This municipal code provides the provisions for foster care or rescue placement program for dogs and cats. The code requires the shelter to maintain records. The code also limits the length of fostering and the number of dogs and cats that an individual may foster at one time.
WA - King County - IV. MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM Sections 11.04.400 to 11.04.580

This part of the King County, Washington animal control ordinance states that no person shall own or harbor any cat or dog over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered unless the person holds an unaltered animal license for the animal pursuant to K.C.C. 11.04.030 (except for guide dog puppies and police service dogs). The animal care and control authority shall develop and implement a twelve-month program to canvass for compliance with the licensing requirements of this chapter.

WA - Selah - Breed - 5.07.080 Pit bull dogs prohibited. SELAH, WA., MUNICIPAL CODE § 5.01.125, 5.01.127, 5.01.40, 5.01.50, 5.07.080 - 5.07.127 (2004)

In Selah, Washington, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own, or possess a pit bull dog, with an exception for pit bulls licensed prior to the ordinance. Such dogs are subject to certain requirements regarding confinement, use of an orange collar, leash and muzzle, the posting of"Beware of Dog" signs, and the maintenance of liability insurance. Such dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and be photographed and micro-chipped for identification purposes. An owner who fails to comply may have his pit bull dog confiscated and impounded.  Violations of r constitute a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

WA - Yakima - Breed - Chapter 6.18 - Pit Bull Dogs Chapter 6.18

This Yakima, Washington ordinance makes it unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the city of Yakima. Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. This chapter does not apply to pit bull dogs which: 1) do not reside in the city of Yakima, 2) are brought into the city for the purposes of participating in a dog show or canine sporting event for which the owner is able to show proof of entry, and 3) do not remain in the city of Yakima for a period exceeding ninety-six consecutive hours.

WI - Hewitt - Breed - Pit Bull Ordinance HEWITT, WI., ORDINANCE NO. 18.01 § 5

In Hewitt, Wisconsin, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess a pitbull dog, with exceptions for dogs registered by the date the ordinance became effective. Such dogs may be kept subject to certain conditions, such as keeping the dog properly confined, using a leash and muzzle, posting "Beware of Dog" signs, and keeping $50,000 liability insurance.

WI - Juneau - Breed - 6.04.090 Pit bulls and other dangerous animals. JUNEAU, WI., MUNICIPAL CODE § 6.04.090 (1998)

It is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess any pit bull dog in Juneau, Wisconsin, with an exception for pit bulls registered on the day the ordinance became effective. Such dogs may be kept within the city subject to certain requirements, such as proper confinement, the use of a leash and muzzle, the posting of "Beware of Dog" signs, and the maintenance of $50,000 liability insurance for personal injury caused by a pit bull.

WI - Montello - Breed - § 117-17 Pit Bull Dogs. MONTELLO, WI., CODE § 117-17 (1989)

In Montello, Wisconsin, it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess any pit bull dog, provided that dogs previously registered may be kept subject to certain requirement. These requirements are keeping the dog properly confined or on a leash and muzzle, posting a "Beware of Dog” sign, keeping $50,000 liability insurance, and taking photographs for identification purposes. Sale or transfer of ownership of pit bulls is prohibited. Failure to comply may result in the seizure and impoundment of the dog, a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 30 days.

WI - Somerset - Breed - Sec. 7-1-9. Wild, exotic and dangerous animals; pit bull dogs. SOMERSET, WI., CODE OF ORDINANCES § 7-1-9 (2000)

It is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess any pit bull dog in Somerset Wisconsin, with exceptions for dogs registered prior to the effective date of the pit bull ban. Such dogs are subject to certain requirements, such as proper confinement or the use of a leash and muzzle, posting “Beware of Dog” signs, and keeping $50,000 liability insurance. Puppies born to such dogs must be removed from the city after 6 weeks.

WI - South Milwaukee - Vicious dog - § 23.20 REGULATING VICIOUS DOGS. SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI., MUNICIPAL CODE § 23.20 In 2017, the City of South Milwaukee amended its section on "vicious dogs" to remove the prohibition on the keeping of dogs described as "pit bull dogs." This ban was repealed on June 27, 2017.
WI - St. Francis - Breed - § 180-5 Dangerous and Vicious Dogs ST. FRANCIS, WI., MUNICIPAL CODE § 180-5 (2008)

In St. Francis, Wisconsin, no person may harbor, keep or maintain any pit bull that was not registered and licensed by October 1, 2001. Any person having knowledge that another has an unregistered pit bull must file a sworn affidavit with the Municipal Court Clerk. Owners of pit bulls that are allowed must comply with all provisions applicable to dangerous dogs, such as securely confining the dog, displaying a dangerous dog sign, and if off of the premises, keep the dog muzzled and on a leash. A violation may result in impoundment of the dog, as well as a forfeiture of up to $1,000.

WV - Charleston - Chapter 10: Animals (Article IV. Urban Deer Management) Code of the City of Charleston, West Virginia § 10-171

This Charleston, West Virginia ordinance allows a person to hunt deer within city limits, but only upon certain conditions. For instance, a person must obtain a permit from the city, must hunt only with a bow and arrow, and must hunt only on certain tracts of land—amongst other things—in order to be compliant with these provisions. A violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor and may result in fines ranging from $10 to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. Additionally, a violation may suspend or revoke a person's hunting permit.

WY - Cheyenne - Title 6: Animals (Chapter 6.12: Pet Registration) Cheyenne City Code §§ 6.12.010 - 6.12.030, 6.04.040, 1.24.010

According to these Cheyenne, Wyoming ordinances, a person must annually register his or her pet with an animal control authority and, to do so, a person may take his or her pet to a Cheyenne veterinarian. A tag issued by a Cheyenne veterinarian at the time of a rabies vaccination serves not only as proof of current a rabies vaccination, but also as proof of a current pet registration for Cheyenne/Laramie County. Cheyenne veterinarians must also provide the animal control authority with a current rabies vaccination/registration listing each month. Penalties for violating these provisions are also provided.

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