Pit bull bans and breed rules: what the law says where you live
Some states ban breed-specific laws and some cities still have them. Here is what state law and city codes say about dog breeds, each linked to the law.
This site is growing. New records are added every day once they are checked against official sources. 27 places published so far.
| Alabama (state law) | Alabama | State law names no breed: a dog is dangerous by what it does, regardless of its breed |
| Arizona (state law) | Arizona | No breed bans allowed for cities and towns: dog rules may not be specific to any breed |
| California (state law) | California | No breed-specific dog programs allowed, except breed-specific spay, neuter and breeding rules |
| Aurora | Colorado | No breed ban: council removed dog breed restrictions from city ordinance |
| Colorado (state law) | Colorado | Cities may regulate dangerous dogs but not in a manner that is specific to breed |
| Denver | Colorado | Pit bulls allowed only with a Breed-Restricted Permit, up to two per home |
| Connecticut (state law) | Connecticut | No breed bans allowed: no municipality shall adopt breed-specific dog ordinances |
| Delaware (state law) | Delaware | No breed bans allowed: municipal governments shall enact no dog law based on a dog's breed or perceived breed |
| District of Columbia (DC law) | District of Columbia | DC dangerous dog law names no breed: dogs are judged by what they do |
| Florida (state law) | Florida | No breed bans allowed: local dog rules may not be specific to breed, weight or size |
| Miami-Dade County | Florida | Pit bull ban no longer enforceable: state law ended the exemption on October 1, 2023 |
| Georgia (state law) | Georgia | State law names no breed: dangerous and vicious dogs are defined by conduct |
| Hawaii (state law) | Hawaii | State law says a dog's breed shall not be considered in deciding whether it is dangerous |
| Idaho (state law) | Idaho | State law names no breed: dangerous and at-risk dogs are defined by conduct |
| Illinois (state law) | Illinois | No breed bans allowed: local animal rules may not be specific to breed |
| Maine (state law) | Maine | No breed bans allowed: municipalities may not adopt breed-specific ordinances, laws or regulations |
| Massachusetts (state law) | Massachusetts | No breed bans allowed: no city or town shall regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to breed |
| Nevada (state law) | Nevada | No breed bans allowed: a local authority shall not deem a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on its breed |
| New Jersey (state law) | New Jersey | State dangerous dog law supersedes local rules on any specific breed of dog |
| New York (state law) | New York | No breed bans allowed: local dangerous dog programs may not be specific as to breed |
| Ohio (state law) | Ohio | State law names no breed: dangerous and vicious dogs are defined by conduct |
| Pennsylvania (state law) | Pennsylvania | No breed bans allowed: a local ordinance may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed |
| Rhode Island (state law) | Rhode Island | No breed bans allowed: no city or town may enact any rule specific to any breed of dog or cat |
| South Dakota (state law) | South Dakota | No breed bans allowed: no local government may enact or enforce any rule specific to the breed or perceived breed of a dog |
| Texas (state law) | Texas | No breed bans allowed: local dangerous dog rules may not be specific to one breed or several breeds |
| Virginia (state law) | Virginia | No breed bans allowed: no locality shall prohibit the ownership of a particular breed of dog |
| Washington (state law) | Washington | Breed rules allowed only with an exemption for dogs that pass a behavior test |
Being confirmed
We publish a record only once its key fact is confirmed from an official source. In progress:
- Council Bluffs