Dangerous dog breeds banned in Indiana is a question with a split answer. The state itself bans no breed, but individual towns, cities, and counties are free to write their own breed rules. That means the dog you own legally in one town could be prohibited a short drive away.
This article sorts out what Indiana law says, which local governments have breed bans or restrictions, and how housing, insurance, and moving fit in. It also covers how Indiana defines a dangerous dog, since that definition depends on behavior and not on breed. Local ordinances change, so use this as a map and confirm the details with your own town or county.
Are Dangerous Dog Breeds Banned in Indiana?
Not at the state level. The state of Indiana doesn’t have rules or laws that apply to specific breeds of dog. No state statute bans or restricts ownership of pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed.
The ban question gets complicated at the local level. Municipalities are allowed to have so-called breed-specific legislation, and several towns and cities ban or place restrictions on breeds like Rottweilers and pit bulls. So your answer depends on your address.
Key Insight: Think of Indiana as a state with zero statewide breed bans and a patchwork of local ones. Your town’s code, not the Indiana Code, decides whether your breed is restricted.
Does Indiana Have a Statewide Dog Breed Ban?
No. Indiana does not have a statewide ban on any dog breed. You cannot be penalized by the state simply for owning a pit bull, Rottweiler, or any other breed.
Indiana also has no law that blocks local governments from acting. DogsBite.org’s preemption map lists Indiana as a state with no preemption and notes that preemption bills have been defeated since 2022. An earlier attempt failed too: a 2019 bill would have prohibited local governments from enacting breed-specific legislation and required repeal of existing bans, but it did not pass.
For a broader look at how other places handle this, see our guide to banned dog breeds.
Can Cities and Counties in Indiana Ban Dog Breeds?
Yes. Indiana Code 36-8-2-4 allows municipalities to enact ordinances related to public safety, leading to varying regulations across the state. Local governments have used that authority for breed rules, registration requirements, leash laws, and pet limits.
Another provision supports local control. State law does not limit the power of a state agency or political subdivision to adopt a rule or ordinance that does not conflict with the dog bite liability chapter. That is why cities and counties run their own dangerous-dog systems.
Non-preemption states treat this as a feature. The National Animal Health Foundation explains that these states see local officials as best placed to set their own animal control policies.
Cities and Counties in Indiana With Breed Bans or Restrictions
Indiana has no single official list, so the table below combines several published sources. Treat it as a starting point. Pitbull Rights notes its ordinance list was last verified as active on December 19, 2018, so older entries may have changed.
| Location | Type of Rule | Breeds Named |
|---|---|---|
| Fowler | Full ban | Pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Chow dogs, and other vicious breeds |
| Kirklin | Ban | Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Chow Chows |
| Walkerton | Ban on Rottweilers; pit bulls treated as “attack dogs” with special requirements | Rottweilers, pit bulls |
| Gary | Registration and liability insurance | Pit bulls |
| Mishawaka | Dangerous-dog declaration, muzzling, secure enclosures | Pit bulls |
| Greendale | “Vicious” designation | Pit bulls, Akitas, Chow Chows, Dobermans, bull terriers, Presa Canarios, Rottweilers, wolf-dog hybrids |
| Lake County | Restrictions | Pit bulls |
| East Chicago | Restrictions | Pit bulls |
| Schererville and St. John | Pit bulls barred from unleashed dog parks | Pit bulls |
The sources behind this table agree on the core facts. Fowler’s code says no person shall own, keep or harbor a Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, or Chow dog or any other breed that meets its definition of a vicious or ferocious animal. Gary requires pit bull owners to register their dogs and maintain liability insurance, while Mishawaka mandates muzzling in public and secure enclosures on private property.
Some places have moved the other way. Indianapolis does not impose breed-specific restrictions but enforces behavior-based dangerous dog ordinances, and South Bend repealed its breed-specific ban in favor of behavior-based laws. Older lists still show South Bend with pit bull restrictions, so confirm with the city before relying on any single source.
Important Note: Published lists disagree on some towns, and ordinances get repealed or amended without notice. Call your local animal control office or clerk and ask for the current code section before you act.
Dog Breeds Most Often Banned or Restricted in Indiana
Pit bull-type dogs are the main target. One Indiana legal analysis says local ordinances primarily target pit bull-type dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers. Nationally, pit bulls are targeted in 96% of BSL ordinances, Rottweilers in 13%, and wolf-dog hybrids in 11%.
Indiana’s local codes follow that pattern with a few additions. Based on the ordinances listed above, these are the breeds that show up most:
- Pit bull-type dogs, named in nearly every local rule
- Rottweilers, banned or restricted in Fowler, Kirklin, Walkerton, and Greendale
- Chow Chows, named in Fowler, Kirklin, and Greendale
- Akitas, Doberman Pinschers, Presa Canarios, and bull terriers, named in Greendale
- Wolf-dog hybrids, named in Greendale, and handled separately under state law
Not sure which dogs count as pit bull types? Our guide to types of pit bull dog breeds explains the family.
Dog Breed Bans vs. Breed Restrictions in Indiana
A ban and a restriction are different things, and the difference matters if you already own the dog. A ban says you cannot own, keep, or harbor the breed inside town limits. A restriction lets you keep the dog if you meet conditions.
Indiana examples fall on both sides. Some breed laws do not ban the dogs altogether but require liability insurance, muzzling during walks, and fenced yards or no tethering. Others, like Fowler’s, prohibit ownership outright.
| Feature | Breed Ban | Breed Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Can you own the dog? | No, unless exempt | Yes, with conditions |
| Typical requirements | None, because ownership is barred | Registration, insurance, muzzle, secure enclosure |
| Indiana examples | Fowler, Kirklin | Gary, Mishawaka |
| Risk of non-compliance | Removal of the dog, fines | Fines, possible dangerous-dog designation |
How Indiana Defines a Dangerous Dog (Behavior, Not Breed)
State law looks at what a dog does. Indiana’s core dog statute is Indiana Code Title 15, Article 20, Chapter 1, which is titled “Liability for Dog Bites.” It does not label any breed dangerous.
Because the state leaves the designation process to local government, the mechanics vary by county. Indianapolis, for example, regulates dangerous and vicious dogs by behavior under Chapter 531 of its code and Indiana Code Title 15, Article 20, not by breed.
If a dog is declared dangerous, specific steps follow. Our article on the dangerous dog declaration in Indiana walks through that process.
Pro Tip: Even in a town with no breed rules, a bite or attack can still lead to a dangerous-dog designation. Training, secure fencing, and a leash are your best protection, whatever breed you own.
How Breed Bans in Indiana Treat Mixed-Breed Dogs
Mixed-breed dogs can be covered, and this catches many owners off guard. Kirklin is one example: it is illegal to possess Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and mixed breeds there, according to DogsAndClogs.
Ordinances that target “pit bull-type” dogs rarely rely on papers. They typically rely on physical characteristics, such as a blocky head, muscular build, and broad chest, rather than registered breed names. That means a shelter mix with those features can be treated as a pit bull under the local code.
If your dog is a mix, read the ordinance’s definition section closely. Some codes define covered dogs by breed percentage, others by appearance, and a few by both.
Exemptions and Grandfathered Dogs Under Indiana Breed Rules
Indiana has no statewide grandfather rule, so any exemption comes from the local ordinance. Some bans carve out dogs already living in town. In some cases, breeds are banned within city limits altogether, with the exception of dogs already in the area when the law passed.
Service animals get separate treatment. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs are typically exempt from breed-specific bans regardless of local legislation, provided they are trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability. That applies to service dogs, not to pets or emotional support animals in general.
- Find the ordinance text and read its exemption section.
- Check whether a registration deadline applied to existing dogs.
- Keep vaccination, license, and ownership records that show when the dog arrived.
- Ask the clerk in writing whether your dog qualifies.
Breed Restrictions by Landlords, HOAs, Insurers and Military Housing in Indiana
Private rules can be stricter than any law. A local ordinance and a lease are separate, so a breed that clears your landlord’s pet policy could still violate local ordinance. The reverse also holds, since a landlord can refuse a breed that the town allows.
Insurance is the other common barrier. Many homeowners and renters insurers list restricted breeds, and Gary’s local rule requires pit bull owners to carry liability insurance. Ask your insurer for its breed policy in writing before you buy or renew.
- Landlords: Breed and weight limits are set in the lease, and you can ask for exceptions in writing.
- HOAs: Covenants may name breeds. Read the recorded declaration, not just the summary handout.
- Insurers: Breed lists vary by company, so compare quotes if one declines you.
- Military housing: Installations set their own pet policies, so confirm with the housing office before a move.
For renters, our guide to pet-friendly housing laws in Indiana covers fees, breed rules, and ESA rights in more detail.
Moving to Indiana With a Restricted Dog Breed
Research the exact address before you sign anything. A move of a few miles can change your status, because you could live in one city with no breed restrictions and move 10 miles away to a community where your dog is subject to a full ban.
- Pick two or three target towns, then pull each town’s animal ordinance online.
- Check the county code if you will live outside town limits.
- Call animal control and ask whether your breed or mix is named.
- Confirm landlord, HOA, and insurer policies in writing.
- Gather vaccination, license, and veterinary records to show on arrival.
Larger jurisdictions are often easier. Most of Indiana’s largest jurisdictions have chosen not to single out breeds at all. Indianapolis is the clearest example. Moving with a dog is a bigger task if it is a bully breed, and our low-shedding dog breeds and herding dog breeds pages can help if you are weighing a different dog.
Can You Challenge a Local Breed Ban in Indiana?
Yes, through local and political channels. Because the ban is a town or county ordinance, the council or commissioners can amend or repeal it. South Bend’s repeal shows that it happens.
Practical steps to push for change include:
- Attending council meetings and speaking during public comment
- Working with animal advocacy groups that track local ordinances
- Presenting cost and enforcement data, since a Best Friends calculator estimates that breed-specific rules in Indianapolis would cost the city over $1 million per year to enforce
- Asking your state legislators to support a preemption bill
If you face a citation or a removal order, talk with a licensed Indiana attorney. This article is general information, not legal advice, and a lawyer can review your ordinance and your options.
Recent Changes to Dog Breed Ban Laws in Indiana
The statewide picture has not changed. Preemption bills keep stalling, and DogsBite.org lists Indiana with defeated preemption bills since 2022. As of October 2026, none of the sources I reviewed showed a new statewide breed law.
Local change moves in one direction. The trend across Indiana municipalities has shifted away from breed-specific bans toward behavior-based dangerous dog ordinances that apply to all breeds equally. Since you can only rely on the current code, check your town’s website or ask the clerk for an updated copy each year.
Indiana’s pet store rules also changed. The law overturned city bans on pet store dog sales that had been in place in some communities. That change affects where dogs are sold, not which breeds you can own.