American Bully Laws in South Dakota: What Every Owner Needs to Know

If you own or plan to own an American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris) in South Dakota, you’re in one of the more legally welcoming states in the country for bully breeds. South Dakota has taken a firm position against breed-based discrimination, and that protection extends directly to your dog.

That said, “no breed ban” does not mean “no rules.” You still need to understand how state law defines dangerous dogs, what local ordinances can and cannot do, and where private actors like landlords and insurance companies can still create hurdles. This guide walks through each of those areas so you know exactly where you stand.

Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under South Dakota Law?

South Dakota state law does not maintain a list of recognized dog breeds, so there is no official state-level registry that distinguishes an American Bully from a pit bull, an American Staffordshire Terrier, or any other bully-type dog. Recognition in the legal sense simply is not part of how South Dakota regulates dogs — the state focuses on individual animal behavior rather than breed identity.

At the kennel-club level, the picture is more defined. The United Kennel Club (UKC), the second-largest kennel club in the United States, first recognized the American Bully in 2013, classifying it as a separate breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier. The breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club due to a lack of consistency in the breed and overlapping traits with other breeds; as a result, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) was created in 2004 specifically for the breed.

Why does this matter legally? Because South Dakota’s dog statutes do not reference breed registries, an animal control officer or court evaluating your dog will not automatically treat a UKC-registered American Bully differently from any other muscular, short-coated dog. Your dog’s behavior and your compliance with general ownership rules are what count under state law. You can learn more about how bully-type breeds are classified in our guide on what breeds make an American Bully.

Pro Tip: Keep your ABKC or UKC registration papers accessible. While South Dakota law does not require them, documentation proving your dog is a registered American Bully — and not a crossbred dog of unknown history — can be useful in housing disputes or insurance conversations.

Does South Dakota Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?

South Dakota does not have breed-specific legislation, and more importantly, the state actively prohibits it. South Dakota state law prevents cities and counties from creating breed-specific laws. Under S.D. Codified Laws § 40-34-16, no local government may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance, policy, resolution, or other enactment that is specific as to the breed or perceived breed of a dog.

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed into law a bill that prohibits municipalities from banning bully breeds, making it the 18th state to create such a law. That legislation — Senate Bill 75 — remains in effect and has not been repealed or amended to weaken its protections.

As of December 2025, there were no statewide breed-specific laws in the United States; in fact, some states prohibit such laws, including Maine, South Dakota, and Utah. South Dakota’s position is therefore among the strongest in the country — it does not merely decline to pass BSL, it affirmatively bars local governments from doing so.

For a broader comparison of how neighboring states handle pit bull and bully breed laws, see our article on pit bull laws in South Dakota and our coverage of American Bully laws in Texas.

Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in South Dakota

Because § 40-34-16 bars breed-specific ordinances at every level of local government, no city or county in South Dakota may legally single out your American Bully for special treatment. No local government may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance that is specific as to the breed or perceived breed of a dog, though this section does not impair the right of any local government unit to enact, maintain, or enforce any form of regulation that applies to all dogs.

That second sentence is worth reading carefully. Local governments retain full authority to regulate dogs in general — leash laws, licensing requirements, nuisance rules, tethering limits, and containment standards can all still apply to your American Bully. They just cannot apply exclusively to your American Bully because of its breed.

At least three cities in South Dakota — Sturgis, Marion, and Mobridge — had placed restrictions or banned outright the ownership of pit bulls over the years. Sturgis did have restrictions on pit bulls, but that ordinance is no longer legal with the passage of the state-level legislation. If you encounter any local ordinance that still references specific breeds, it is unenforceable under current state law.

County boards have the power to regulate dogs running at large and can require licensing or taxes for dogs in their area. Check with your specific county or municipality to confirm what general dog rules apply — things like leash requirements, licensing fees, and vaccination mandates can vary. Our guide to leash laws in South Dakota covers those statewide rules in detail.

Important Note: Even though breed-specific ordinances are banned, general animal control rules still apply to every dog regardless of breed. Compliance with those rules is your first line of defense against any future legal issue involving your American Bully.

Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in South Dakota

State law protects you from government-imposed breed bans, but private actors operate under different rules. Insurance companies and landlords are not bound by § 40-34-16, and this is where American Bully owners in South Dakota most commonly run into practical difficulties.

Homeowners and Renters Insurance

Many insurance carriers maintain internal lists of breeds they consider elevated-risk, and bully-type dogs frequently appear on those lists. Some policies restrict bully-type dogs or charge extra; always confirm in writing whether your dog is covered under your policy and whether you need separate dog liability coverage. This applies whether you own your home or rent — your personal liability exposure from a dog bite or property damage incident is real regardless of South Dakota’s BSL prohibition.

If your current homeowners or renters insurer excludes your American Bully, shop specifically for carriers that do not use breed-exclusion lists. Several specialty pet liability insurers cover bully breeds without surcharges. Get any coverage confirmation in writing before assuming your dog is protected.

Landlord and Rental Policies

Landlords may have limitations on the number of pets allowed per unit, breed restrictions often targeting certain dog breeds with a reputation for aggression, or weight limits. Because these are private lease terms rather than government ordinances, South Dakota’s BSL prohibition does not override them. A private landlord can legally refuse to rent to you because of your American Bully.

The South Dakota Residential Landlord-Tenant Act limits what landlords can do regarding pets — landlords cannot prohibit you from having a pet unless the animal poses a direct threat to health or safety, causes property damage, or violates other established rules. In practice, a landlord who includes a breed restriction clause in the lease has effectively established that rule upfront, so review lease language carefully before signing.

If you are searching for housing with an American Bully, ask about pet policies before applying, document your dog’s training history and temperament, and consider obtaining a Canine Good Citizen certificate from the AKC — it is a practical tool for demonstrating responsible ownership to skeptical landlords. For related housing considerations involving other animals in the state, see our overview of pet import laws in South Dakota.

“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in South Dakota

South Dakota’s approach to dangerous dogs is behavior-based, not breed-based. A dog of any breed — including an American Bully — can be designated dangerous based on its individual conduct. Understanding how that process works is important for every bully breed owner in the state.

South Dakota follows the one-bite rule for dog attacks, meaning you must prove the owner knew or should have known about their dog’s dangerous tendencies to recover damages. This rule has a direct implication for you as an owner: if your American Bully has never shown aggression, you have a stronger legal position if an incident occurs. But if your dog has a documented history of aggression and you have not taken steps to address it, your liability exposure increases significantly.

An owner of any animal finally designated as a potentially dangerous animal by any municipality, county, or state government must notify the county’s designated animal control authority of the animal’s address and conditions of maintenance within 10 days of moving the animal into that county. The restrictions and conditions of maintenance of any animal finally designated potentially dangerous by another county, a municipality, or a state remain in force while the animal remains in that county.

This portability of dangerous-dog designations matters if you relocate within South Dakota or move to the state from elsewhere. A dangerous-dog finding from another jurisdiction does not disappear when you cross a county line. The South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed circuit court orders directing a county sheriff to euthanize dogs designated as “vicious animals” under S.D. Codified Laws § 7-12-29, where the dogs attacked another dog that died from its injuries — confirming that behavior-based dangerous-dog findings carry serious consequences under state law.

For a full breakdown of how dangerous animal classifications work across South Dakota statutes, our article on pit bull laws in South Dakota covers the liability framework in depth. You may also find our piece on venomous animals in South Dakota useful for understanding how the state broadly categorizes animal-related risk.

Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in South Dakota

Because no breed-specific ordinances are permitted, the requirements you face as an American Bully owner are the same general dog ownership requirements that apply to every dog owner in your municipality. The following are the most common obligations you should confirm for your specific location.

• Rabies vaccination: All dogs in South Dakota must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Keep your vaccination records current and accessible.
• Licensing: County boards have the power to require licensing or taxes for dogs in their area. Licensing fees and renewal schedules vary by county — contact your local county auditor or animal control office to confirm requirements.
• Leash and containment rules: While every local government can set up restrictions on dogs, they cannot be breed-specific. Leash laws, fencing requirements, and rules about dogs running at large apply equally to all dogs.
• Tethering restrictions: Some municipalities have ordinances restricting how long a dog can be tethered outdoors; always check local regulations to ensure proper tethering practices.
• Livestock liability: If your dog chases, worries, injures, or kills livestock or poultry, you can be held financially responsible. When multiple dogs owned by different people participate in such incidents, all owners may face joint liability for the damages caused.

If you operate a kennel or keep multiple dogs, additional zoning and permitting rules may apply. Our guide to kennel zoning laws in South Dakota covers those requirements. For general animal ownership rules across the state, see also our articles on goat ownership laws in South Dakota and backyard chicken laws in South Dakota.

Pro Tip: Document your American Bully’s compliance from day one. Keep vaccination certificates, licensing receipts, and any training records in a dedicated folder. If your dog is ever involved in an incident or a neighbor files a complaint, this paper trail demonstrates responsible ownership and can influence how animal control handles the situation.

What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in South Dakota

Given the strength of § 40-34-16, a local ordinance that explicitly targets your American Bully by breed is almost certainly unenforceable. But knowing that in theory and navigating it in practice are two different things. Here is a clear sequence of steps if you find yourself in that situation.

1. Get the ordinance in writing. Ask the animal control officer or municipal clerk for the specific text of the ordinance being cited against you. You need the exact language to evaluate whether it is breed-specific or a general rule being applied unequally.
2. Compare it against § 40-34-16. If the ordinance names your breed, references “pit bull-type dogs,” or uses physical descriptors that function as breed proxies, it likely violates state law. No local government may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance that is specific as to the breed or perceived breed of a dog.
3. Contact a South Dakota attorney. An attorney familiar with animal law or municipal law can send a formal letter to the local government citing the state statute. In many cases, a single legal notice is enough to stop enforcement of an unlawful ordinance.
4. File a complaint with the state. If a municipality is actively enforcing a breed-specific ordinance, you can report the violation to the South Dakota Attorney General’s office, which has authority over local government compliance with state law.
5. Reach out to advocacy organizations. Groups like the Animal Farm Foundation and the National Canine Research Council have experience supporting owners in BSL-related disputes and can provide guidance and resources.

While pit bulls and other bully-breed dogs cannot be targeted as a whole, violent dogs from these groups can still get in trouble if they attack or injure someone. This means that even if a local action against your dog is breed-motivated, animal control may pivot to a behavior-based dangerous-dog proceeding if your dog has any incident history. Keep your dog’s behavior record clean and your documentation thorough.

For perspective on how other states handle similar situations, see our guides on American Bully laws in Michigan and American Bully laws in California — both states have more complex legal environments for bully breed owners and illustrate why South Dakota’s protections are worth understanding and defending.

South Dakota’s legal framework gives American Bully owners a solid foundation. The state’s prohibition on breed-specific ordinances is clear, statutory, and has already been used to invalidate local restrictions. Your responsibilities as an owner — vaccinations, licensing, containment, liability awareness — are the same as those for any dog owner in the state. Stay compliant with those general rules, document your dog’s good behavior, and you are well-positioned to own an American Bully in South Dakota without legal complications. If you have questions about specific animal laws in the state, our guides on roadkill laws in South Dakota and hedgehog ownership laws in South Dakota offer additional context on how South Dakota approaches animal regulation more broadly.