34 States That Have Banned Certain Dog Breeds

Alabama

Alabama allows breed-specific restrictions on pit bulls within the state. City officials can enforce any laws restricting or banning specific dog breeds.

Arkansas

Arkansas allows breed-specific restrictions within cities, but there are no bans on dog ownership. The state has multiple restrictions on pit bulls, American bulldogs, and cane corsos.

California

California has laws restricting and banning pit bulls within the state. Several cities enforce pit bull neutering and vaccinations to minimize the chance of breeding or infection.

Colorado

Colorado has no laws stopping business owners from restricting or banning specific breeds. Landlords or business owners can prohibit any dog within their private space at their discretion.

Florida

As of October 1, 2023, House Bill 941 has removed the ban on owning pit bulls in Florida. This means public housing authorities and local governments cannot restrict or discriminate against pit-bull or pit-bull mixes. It is the first time in 34 years that the breed is free of discriminatory practices within the state.

Georgia

The state of Georgia allows for restrictions on dangerous dogs, but no bans prohibiting ownership. Owners must have a “dangerous dog” registered and have at least $50,000 in liability insurance. Violators of the Responsible Dog Ownership Law may have their dogs “confiscated and destroyed.”

Georgia’s list of dangerous or vicious dog breeds includes pit bulls, rottweilers, Dobermans, wolf dogs, German shepherds, and Presa canarios.

Idaho

Idaho has very few cities with dog-discriminatory laws. A handful of cities have a few restrictions that require licensing with the state and specify that dogs must be on a leash. Idaho is open to most breeds but has some restrictions on pit bulls.

Illinois

Illinois allows landlords and property owners to restrict access to anyone owning dog breeds they find dangerous or vicious.

In 2023, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 1049 to lessen restrictions for homeowners and renters to acquire insurance while owning certain dog breeds. The recent bill will take effect in January 2024 and allow more homeowners a chance to purchase insurance. Previously, insurance companies could modify policies or refuse coverage based on the type of dog.

Dogs that are declared dangerous in Illinois include pit bulls and mixes, bull terriers, and rottweilers.

Indiana

Indiana allows local municipalities to restrict and ban certain dog breeds based on their definition of “potentially dangerous.” Pit bulls are the most common dog breed with restrictions or bans in the state, but other breeds may include Akitas, chow chows, Dobermans, bull terriers, Presa canarios, rottweilers, and wolfdogs.

Iowa

Iowa has several restrictions and bans on certain dog breeds, but House File 651 prohibits the bans. Several towns still have restrictions on certain dog breeds, but the state is aiming to encourage responsible dog ownership in lieu of restrictions. The most common breeds with restrictions are pit bulls, rottweilers, and Dobermans.

Kansas

Kansas allows their cities to post restrictions and bans on multiple dog breeds they consider dangerous or vicious. Local ordinances place strict bans on pit bulls and pit bull mixes, Dobermans, rottweilers, and tundra shepherds in select cities.

Kentucky

Recent appeals to local governments seek to prohibit the banning and restricting of dog breeds with varying levels of success.

According to the North Kentucky Law Review, 36 of 120 counties have ordinances banning pit bull and pit bull mixes. Additional counties consider pit bulls, rottweilers, wolf dogs, chow chows, and Dobermans vicious, with heavy restrictions on ownership.

Louisiana

Louisiana allows restrictions and bans on specific dog breeds.

Crowley has the most restrictions on “dangerous or vicious animals” due to its larger number of dogs that fit the category. Within this town, owners must always have a leash or muzzle on their dogs when out in public.

The most common dog breeds considered dangerous and vicious within the state are pit bulls, rottweilers, Alaskan malamutes, chow chows, Dobermans, huskies, bull terriers, and wolfdogs.

Maryland

Maryland has no state law banning or restricting dog breeds, but a handful of towns have bans on pit-bull, pit-bull mixes, and other bull terriers. However, people may hold a pit bull for an exhibition or show with permission from the county. Outside of these towns, government officials enforce the law that pit bulls must be on a leash at all times when outside.

Michigan

Michigan allows its cities to enforce breed-specific bans and restrictions. Ypsilanti Charter Township ordinance section 14-1 states that owners may not own any pit bull or bull terrier that is intact.

Most towns restrict or ban pit bulls, but others restrict rottweilers, Akitas, malamutes, wolf dogs, bull terriers, dalmatians, chow chows, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Presa canarios, Dobermans, and Great Danes.

Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the states with very few bans and restrictions on dog breeds. This large state allows restrictions on wolfdog hybrids only.

Mississippi

Different online sources give conflicting information regarding Mississippi dog restrictions or bans on specific dog breeds.

According to the breed-specific legislation website for Mississippi, several towns have restrictions on pit bulls because of increased attacks and inbreeding in the area.

Missouri

Missouri has a unique method of handling dog restrictions and bans. The state allows cities to decide what breeds are dangerous or vicious, but owners are able to undergo special requirements to show their pet is exempt. Typically, the only dogs Missouri towns consider dangerous or vicious are pit bulls and rottweilers, including their mixes.

Montana

In 2009, Montana voters successfully stopped a law that would have banned pit bulls within certain parts of the state. The most common “dangerous” dogs are legal to own as pets, but there are bans in a few cities against wolf-dog hybrids.

Nebraska

Several cities in Nebraska have strict restrictions on breeds.

In Omaha, certain breeds must be on a leash or harness, and must have a muzzle when outside or not in a fenced-in yard. The dog must have a license, someone 19 years or older holding the leash, and proof of liability coverage.

Dogs with restrictions in Nebraska are pit bulls, bull terriers, American bulldogs, Dogo Argentino, Presa canario, and cane corsos.

New Mexico

New Mexico allows restrictions and bans on dogs, but most cities do not have rules isolating individual breeds. Each city has a general law on handling or restricting dangerous dog breeds based on the dog’s chances of causing injury.

The village of Tijeras has a blanket ban on owning American pit bull terriers or mixes.

New York

New York state allows its towns and villages to restrict pit bull and pit bull mixes from parks and buildings. However, most towns allow owners to keep the breed, as long as they are licensed and have liability insurance.

North Carolina

North Carolina does not have any leash laws or harsh restrictions on specific dog breed ownership. The state has several laws regarding what constitutes a dangerous or vicious dog and how owners should handle them in public.

Edenton and Lumberton are currently the only towns that declare pit bulls, rottweilers, and chow chows as “potentially vicious.”

North Dakota

Several cities in North Dakota have bans on pit bulls, preventing residents from owning or possessing one within the city limits.

Recently, Minot, ND has repealed its ban on pit bulls and wolfdog hybrids.

Other cities ban ownership of pit bulls, rottweilers, and Dobermans.

Ohio

Ohio cities have bans on pit bulls, Dobermans, Akitas, huskies, German shepherds, and rottweilers. Owning these breeds is prohibited and illegal owners are subject to misdemeanor charges. Certain cities require the above dog breeds to wear fluorescent green collars and a muzzle when outdoors and not in an enclosed space.

Oregon

Oregon allows its cities to enforce restrictions on dog breeds but does not have bans within the state. Local government officials have few specific dog breeds they single out as dangerous, unless they display certain characteristics like chasing, aggression, or harassment.

Malheur County has restrictions on pit bulls, bull terriers, tosa inu, cane corso, specific mastiffs, and more.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has loose laws regarding specific breed restrictions. A few boroughs allow pit bull ownership, but these dogs are not allowed to run free except in a securely fenced area. Other towns consider them dangerous or vicious, but they are still allowed within the district.

South Carolina

There are no bans on owning specific breeds, but pit bulls, rottweilers, and Dobermans are considered vicious in several South Carolina counties. Owners must adhere to strict rules.

Beaufort County forces mandatory neutering and spaying of pit bulls.

Tennessee

Tennessee has laws promoting positive dog ownership, like getting pups licensed and vaccinated. However, many cities still ban pit bulls, rottweilers, and Dobermans for their bad reputations.

Mt. Juliet has bans on pit bulls in local dog parks.

Texas

Texas residents have prevented new breed-specific legislation, but many cities and counties have restrictions regarding any “dangerous dog.”

Childress has a unique law where pit bulls, chow chows, and wolfdogs cannot be adopted.

Vermont

Vermont is one of the few states that has restrictions on dog breeds, but not on pit bulls. Several towns have local ordinances restricting ownership of wolf-dog hybrids and enforcing specific enclosure requirements.

Washington

In 2019, the state Senate ruled breed bans are still allowed, but local districts can provide exceptions for families who prove their dogs are trained and well-behaved. Auburn declares all fighting breeds “potentially dangerous” with restrictions on ownership within city limits.

West Virginia

West Virginia does not prohibit owning or caring for any specific dog breeds but allows towns to restrict and ban dog breeds at their discretion.

Barboursville and seven other cities have bans against pit bulls and wolf-dog hybrids, with another restricting canary dog ownership.

Wisconsin

The majority of Wisconsin’s major cities have bans or heavy restrictions on pit bull ownership.

Additionally, several villages have restrictions on wolf-dog hybrids, canary dogs, rottweilers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and specific mastiffs.